I think I shed a tear when I first saw vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes on their menu. Combined with a beer and some mint chocolate cake, I ate and drank myself into a beautifully blissful comatose state. I was in my own little vegetarian nirvana. On my second trip I tried the buffalo chicken wrap and my friend had the club sandwich. The wrap was very good and I was surprised by what they managed to do with that tofu- but I suppose cardboard would be delicious if it were fried and smothered in sauces. The club was also good, albeit a little plain. My main complaint is that even the entrees are served more a la carte style. I'm not a huge french fry peson, so I wasn't disappointed that those weren't on the side. However, I would have loved to have a green salad or one of those other customary sides. But in order to do so I would have had to pay an extra $3.50. At already $8 for the wrap alone, it seemed like the charge for adding a side could have been lower. But this is just my student loans groaning. The servers have always been very pleasant- no complaints there. The decor is certainly charmingly off-kilter- we sat behind a painting taken from a long-deceased barber shop of their offered hairstyles/shaves. My personal favorite was the "sideburn that turns into a mustache" look. Sexy, but besides the point. You and I both know as soon as we've found mustache art, we've found a hipster haven. UPDATE: I finally tried their brunch. A little underwhelmed. The huevos rancheros was smothered in a chili- I prefer huevos rancheros to showcase fresh flavors like pico de gallo instead. I'd also advise others to steer clear of the bloody mary's. Too acidic, not enough balance. Sort of had to choke it down.
(3)
Zeb C.
Keep in mind I am not a vegan. So maybe the charm and quality of the food is lost on me. I got an egg scramble with veggies, and there was 1 carrot slice and 2 sad broccoli heads. The potatoes are so overly spiced that they taste like something you'd find at a fast food restaurant. The eggs were way overdone. The water glass was slimy, but the coffee was good. The folks with me are vegetarians and vegans and they claimed their chicken fried "steak" and vegetarian items were good. Our server had a shirt that was too short and pants that were low-cut, thus our view at the table was his pubic hair and groin. Maybe folks find this charming, but I found it gross. I won't be back.
(2)
Tara V.
I came to Vita Cafe with high hopes. My friends had given great reviews so I was expecting a solid, vegetarian dining experience. I was disappointed. First the positives: Atmosphere was pretty good, nice and laid back. Lots of vegan options on the menu, which was great. The challenge: It could have been just an off day for the chef, but all 3 dishes we ordered were extremely salty. We ordered huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy and corn cakes (at the recommendation of our waitress). We are thrilled that this vegan cafe exists and want to try again later to see if it was just the items we ordered.
(3)
Victoria R.
This place is amazing! I have been hearing about it for a few years and I just decided to try it last month. Now, I can't get enough! I'm a vegan and their food is fabulous, but my nonvegan friends love it here too. The bloody marys are great. I have been here for every meal and it's consistently killer. Their service is attentive without being overwhelming and they give excellent recommendations. I did get a weird look when I ordered raw cheesecake at 10am, but I regret nothing.
(5)
Suma S.
Hate to update with fewer stars, because this used to be one of my favorite places and I'd come here like once a week. The food is still good, but the service has basically driven my crew's patronage to other veggie-friendly places in town. It's a pity. For the past few months, we by some horrible fate always end up with the same server, no matter what time we come, who always conveniently "forgets" a part of my order. I suppose a cup of soup, sandwich, and oh lord, fries, is basically just throwing both of my feet in the grave, because each time I order, she kind of stares in an expression hovering somewhere between fear and disgust. Uh? Ok? And really, who are you judge people's eating habits? Anyway, she always forgets a part of my order. Whether it's the side of fries or my freakin' entree. Everyone else's food will arrive and mine will either just not arrive at all or she'll forget part of someone else's order at my table to try to convince us to just share it. If the other person mentions it, she often makes a snide comment about how she thought "that would be plenty". News at 11! You're not eating it! It's seriously so rude and embarrassing that I have had to talk people down from confronting this server or calling the manager over on at least three occasions, because, I reasoned, she's "new". Well, she isn't new anymore and we eat at other places now because ordering food that, I assume, is on the menu because the owners of this place would like people's business, which is had by ordering food, has become so emotionally difficult and socially awkward that we just don't want to endure it. Two of the three of us that were regulars are recovering from EDs. Food judgment and attempt to re-portion our orders is the exact opposite of what we look for in a dining experience. Our average bill would usually come to around $40-50/week back when the staff was comprised of friendly people who understood how service works. We aren't crappy tippers, either. That's a lot of money that we're taking to other places now. It's too bad, because we all miss the tempeh.
(2)
Merlin A.
Food = tasty. Price = good value. Cloud of flies in the dining room = I won't be coming back.
(2)
Cheryl R.
I was impressed by this place! A great stop for vegan food, nice atmosphere, good coffee and great portions.
(5)
Lauren G.
Came here for a drink and some nachos. It took about 15 minutes for someone to come greet us and take our order, but after that they had it figured out.
(4)
Trevor G.
Wonderful vegan food at its finest. Service was slow (very slow), but our server was great. He gave us great recommendations and was very friendly. There were two other servers as well and it looked like our server was having to work extra hard because the other two were slow to the point of being zombies.
(3)
Jason C.
Cute, welcoming decor but service was a little slow most likely because we walked in seconds after they opened. Started with the Buffalo Tofu which was amazing, I think they fry it tempura style before soaking it in delicious, spicy, buffalo sauce. Wife had the Salmon cakes (amazing) and the Philly sandwich. All in all definitely in my top list of vegetarian restaraunts.
(4)
Shawn H.
I've reviewed this place a few times, still have the same complaint....service.
(4)
Dwayne L.
We're visiting from Brooklyn and were looking for a vegan brunch spot today. A couple of people mentioned this place and after reading all the great reviews on yelp, we decided to give it a try. The menu looked awesome, and so did most of the food, but when we actually started tasting it, we were pretty disappointed. The tofu (which replaces their eggs on request) here is minimally seasoned and tastes very bland. Not sure why they aren't preparing scrambled tofu like every other veggie place. It's so easy to make - just add turmeric and nutritional yeast. The biscuits and gravy were bland as well and missing something. Champs in BK adds tofu sausage, so maybe that could help. And finally, the French toast. It looked awesome but tasted very OFF. I realize it's made with sour dough bread but I've had it that way before and it's been good at other places, but here it tasted wrong. Weird after taste and the texture of corn meal? The only thing that helped me get through it was the overpowering cinnamon and maple syrup. Prob the strangest tasting French toast I've ever had. The staff seemed friendly, but I wouldn't eat the food here again.
(2)
Laleh E.
Vita Cafe was the first place my friends took me to eat during my recent excursion to Portland, and I'm still thinking about the excellent salad I ate there!! I ordered the Greek Salad, which was fresh and crisp to begin with, but on the side they added a pesto vinigrette of some sort, which I dipped some of the greens into. I seriously don't think I've ever been happier with a salad before!! Okay, enough about that salad! I found the atmosphere pleasant, and the menus to be artistic. The menu seemed to be friendly to all three of us, even though we each have drastically different eating habits. It was a delight to sit outside on one of the umbrella patio tables. My only regret about this place was not ordering the salad in a larger size. I also tried the thai coconut soup, which came with the onion and herb bread, which you MUST order if coming here! Delicious and nutritious earns Vita five stars!
(5)
Kimberley D.
Tasty vegan desserts. Mmm, biscuits and veggie gravy. Plenty of meat options for the non-vegetarians too. My bloody mary was not amazing, though, so a star was deducted for that.
(4)
Grace J.
Fresh carrot juice. Yummy vegan country breakfast with almond gravy. De-lish!. Nice servers. It was good good good.
(4)
P O.
I'd like to give this place a positive review, but I just can't do it. The first time I went, I had a delicious vegan BLT sandwich which sitting in the very nice patio that they had at their previous location. However, I visited their new location this weekend, and was disappointed. My parents and I tried to go their Saturday evening, but when we got there, there were already 8 groups waiting for tables. It was a sign-yourself-up system, which was alright, except that there was nobody to ask how long the wait might be. After half an hour, only one group had been seated, so we called it quits. We tried again Sunday evening, and were seated right away. The tomato white bean soup I ordered was terrible. It tasted like thick tomato juice with cilantro. There were virtually no beans. It was too salty to eat. My parents and I all ordered the soup, and none of us could eat it. We told them nicely at the end of the meal that the soup was awful, and they were totally unapologetic. weird.
(2)
Jill R.
On the good side... they had great vegan and vegetarian choices. What we got was really good. Their fries are awesome, and their martinis are strooong. We did not have room, but their vegan deserts looked fantastic. There are many other things on the menu I'd like to try. Hey! They even have a bocce court! On the bad side... at first it does not appear kid friendly, but when you realize that you are one of two tables without kids you begin to wonder. I totally felt like I was eating in some twisted daycare. I'd go back for the food, but I'd make sure I went late in the evening. It was my bad because I went around 6pm. I should have known better. The service was pretty slow, but really that was not too bad... the martinis were good.
(3)
Nathan V.
I like Vita's new space and all, and the fact they have vegan food is great. But I can't get over the service; I really don't remember it being so bad. The other day, when our food (breakfast scramble and salad) arrived 45 minute after ordering, the most our server said was "Sorry for the delay" and walked away. I later asked if there was bread with my $8 salad. He said no. I ate, and left. It's too bad. I remember this place being so much better.
(2)
Brooke H.
One word describes my Vita experience: GROSS. Lacadasical service, AWFUL corn chowder. Yikes. It's in my hood, which I love, but YUCK. I'll stroll down to Random Order Coffee House, home of the BEST PIE on the planet (not just sweet, which are each and every one fabulous, also their chicken pot pie is outta this world!!!).
(1)
Erika V.
Vita is a place I always had to go to at least once when I used to visit Portland. Now that I live here I still enjoy it but it's a bit too pricey to go as much as I like. It's definitely more expensive than other places with similar items and sides aren't included. But I love their breakfast stuff. The Chicken fried steak, biscuits & gravy, turkey club are all amazing but I would say skip the mac n cheese. I remember it being not lame a couple years ago but maybe they lost the original recipe along their move across the street. The service sometimes sucks but sometimes not.
(4)
Tnerb L.
Vita has a well put together menu. There's a good variety for both veggie's and vegan's. Everything I've tried so far has been great, I am a fan of the Buffalo Things for sure. The service was spot on, quick and all the servers had a smile and were super friendly. Pricing was average for this style of food. Veggie/Vegan's this place is definitely worth checking out if you hadn't already.
(4)
Kenny S.
Yummy, yummy stuff. Excellent vegetarian, & vegan options. Even a couple meat options. Good anytime of the day. But my favorite must be the Buffalo Tofu Wrap. YUM! Beer & great cocktails to boot.
(4)
Malea X.
three words, people: spicy. tempeh. sticks. goddamn they're SO good! i had lunch here 3 days in a row and the food was soooo good. recommendations: spicy tempeh sticks (after 4pm), chopped salad (after 4pm), seitan cheese steak sandwich, chicken fried "steak," corn cakes. the vegan blt is pretty good, too. they make their own vegan ranch dressing! yum. that's all. just yum.
(4)
Courtney D.
Vegan, free range tasted great I was a bit skeptical going to the Vita Caf since I'm not a vegetarian and heard that their menu was primarily based on vegan choices. But once I sunk my teeth into their biscuits with almond gravy, my stomach oozed with happiness. Their menu was adventurous to say the least, which can be a bit intimidating to someone who tends to stick with what she likes. But I quickly found some eggs with free-range bacon on their breakfast menu, which was very tasty. Not sure if it was the organic vibe or not, but everything tasted healthier and settled good in my system. Tip: There's a beautiful garden patio with picnic tables just waiting for warm weather.
(3)
Lulu P.
This place is consistently tasty and friendly, and even if the service is a little slow during peak hours, wait staff has always been competent and friendly. (Living in the neighborhood, I've become obsessed with the poor service at Alberta restaurants, so this is huge for me). I'm an omnivore, but Vita is my go-to weekday dinner joint,
(4)
Amy L.
Good vegan food, and it's nice to have a vegan restaurant close by. Their almond gravy is divine! Only down side - slow service.
(4)
A. B. C.
i heart vita. i've had at least one item for each menu, breakfast lunch and din-din. the thai corn cakes for breakfast are my favorite! made with sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup, they are exotic but not weird. sweet but not too sweet, a little bit of a bite from the ginger and and l little bit savory from the corn meal and cilantro. i've seriously contemplated many other breakfast dishes but i can't bring myself to stray from their deliciousness. i am a dedicated omnivore...i mean really, i'll eat almost anything. howevah, i'm not a purist when it comes to my traditionally meaty meals. as a testament to that, the vita reuben is the best vegan reuben e-v-e-r (just ask for more sauce...but maybe that's just me, i love sauce). dare i say? it's better than a meaty reuben!?!? the first trip ever to vita was for dinner, after some friends had picked me up from the airport. i was famished. it was a wednesday. what does that have to do with anything? you ask. well, wednesday they have a happy hour that's a $5 entree and a beer (or maybe the beer is extra? either way it's all together cheaper than a normally priced entree). i had the thai pasta (i really am obsessed with peanut sauce) which was scrumptious, and a beer- from h.u.b i think...maybe from captured by porches (side note: props to myself for actually remembering the name of captured by porches without phoning-a-friend!) the only reason i've deducted a star is because the last couple of times i was there our service was less than amazing. maybe our server was having a bad day or maybe she hates her job... it definitely showed- we were being so nice and not high-maintenance at all! every time before that, though, the service has been awesome.
(4)
Christen M.
I come to Vita quite frequently. I like the food, I like the atmosphere, I like the waitstaff. But everything about the place is hit and miss. Some of the food is fantastic. I especially love the "BLT" made with tempeh bacon; ditto the "fish" and chips, which come with a wonderful dill sauce. I'm also fond of some of the pasta dishes, and the desserts are just freaking fantastic. Of course, sometimes the aforementioned chips come out a bit soggy and undersalted. There's also the matter of service. Once my housemate and I came here on a not-super-busy Thursday night and waited fully half an hour just to get a chance to order, and much longer for our food to arrive. When we did, it was cold and unimpressive. The servers, I should note, were very nice and friendly, but there just weren't enough of them working that night (I think there were two or three people total, waiting on a small crowd of about 15-20 people). Frustrating. So why is this a four-star review and not a three-star review? Well, the last few times I went there, things seem to have improved greatly. I understand the restaurant has changed hands recently, there's a new menu, and the last two times I went to Vita I got pretty decent service. In fact, a couple of months ago I went to a friend's birthday dinner in a group of at least 10 people -- but we got a chance to order shortly after we'd arrived, then got our food promptly. I'm not ready to give the place a full-on ringing endorsement just yet, but I'm willing to try it once or twice more to see if the service is going to be consistently good.
(4)
brianna w.
Simply the best vegan diner in the city. Or atleast in the top 5. To the impatient, avoid dining in when it's crammed full of hungry hippies, the wait can be brutal. But as far as I'm concerned it is always worth the wait. Vegans, try the "buffalo things" with ranch dressing, seriously, yowza. I also love love love the chick'n fried steak, the seitan cheese-steak and for the a.m. set, french toast.
(5)
Ariel S.
Two stars is really an average of the two times I went -- the first time I swung by for brunch by myself. They were busy, and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for the wait staff to acknowledge my existence. Each of the servers pointedly avoided making eye contact with me (seriously: I couldn't get anyone to even tell me how long the wait was going to be!), so I figured they didn't need my business and left. One star. I went back for dinner a few months later, and found it much quieter. My mac 'n' vegan-cheese was decent (nothing impressive) but my date's Ruben sandwich was totally tasty. It was a bit of a redemption (four star), but I still gotta say that it was mostly my stubbornness that sent me back -- usually the total lack of service that I got the first time I went is enough to keep me away.
(2)
Min Min T.
Chick'n fried steak is awesome. I don't really understand how it's a breakfast food but the biscuits and almond gravy rocks. I would eat everything and anything that that gravy touches. Brown rice was also great quality and tasty. My only suggestion is that there should be some greens or fruit to balance the meal out.
(4)
Tess H.
Amazing little restaurant! Just made the switch to vegetarian diet about 10 days ago and stopped in here for dinner last night. I ordered the "chicken" wings, chili, "chicken fried steak", and "fish" and chips. My husband is a huge carnivore and even admitted his fish and chips and wings were divine. The atmosphere is trendy, dim lit, warm, and the waitress was super awesome. Can't wait to go back and try some other entrees off the menu.
(5)
Robyn A.
This place is a great way for folks to ease into the Vegan world, and offers so much for us Vegans to enjoy. I loved my grain salad with quinoa, as I love to eat mostly raw food. The Coconut soup was very tasty, but not even quite hot enough. (Temp wise) My husband ordered the Veggie burger with the grilled onions and had the chili on the side, and he very much enjoyed both, but he also said the chili wasn't up to serving temp. Service was very nice. and the place was hopping, we had to wait about 15 minutes to get a table on a Wednesday evening, so glad to see them get so much business. Prices are great! We will be back!
(4)
Kara D.
We arrived about 8pm on a friday night and the place was pretty busy. We stood at the sign that said "please wait to be seated" for about 5-10 minutes with no one even acknowledging us. Apparently there was a sign in sheet, but how were we supposed to know. At this point I was pretty pissed... When we finally got seated the waitress said it was her first day... Ok, so I'm not pissed at HER for ignoring us anymore. She was nice and got our orders correct, and the food was good and reasonably priced....
(4)
Pete L.
I may be somewhat unusual for a reviewer of this restaurant as I am someone that loves meat. Be it Kobe-style beef from Snake River Farms or fois gras, I'm a fan. However, it's hard to dispute the argument that incorporating more vegetarian and vegan food into our gustatory lives is a very good thing: it's largely better for the environment (yes, we use petrochemicals to fertilize grain to feed animals) and (not surprisingly) better for us. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked, actually) by the quality and flavor of the Sizzling Seitan Fajita Platter. I started by accepting the fact that this isn't meat: aspects of the flavor and aroma are meat-like, but to have "meat" on the brain is like living in the past. While slightly saltier than I would have liked, the caramelized flavors of soy and a bit of char from the cast iron griddle tasted wonderful, with the accompanying vegetables (onions, mushrooms) cooked superbly. The acoutrements (vegan sour cream, brown rice, beans, tortillas, et al.) were very good companions, although the beans could have used a bit more dimension in the flavor. The Cooper Hill Pinot Noir (at $6) was, perhaps, one of the best values in glass pours I've had in a while: complex and an appropriate accompaniment to the food as far as my palate is concerned.
(4)
Shani R.
The food was just ok the first time I went, but the wait staff definitely took their time with everything - our lunch lasted 1.5hrs, which in my book is ridiculous and we had to flag down the waiter to just refill our water pitcher. I thought I would give them a try again and sure enough, the food wasn't good (not that it was great to begin with) and their service was even worse. We told the waiter to split our check - he gave us a pen and told us to split it ourselves! Not that we can't do the math - but really, would it have been that hard to take our cards to the flippin' register, charge them and give us back the reciepts like every restaurant/ food cart does in this country!!! Let's just say I feel stumped out of my $12.00, that could have gone to something that tasted better, cost less, had great service - like Koi Fusion. One word - HORRIBLE! If you really like to waste your money and your time, go here; because you will wait 50 minutes before getting your food, wait an 40 minutes in totally service time (if you want to call it serve) and the wait staff don't give a hoot about you or your time! It's just to bad that Yelp doesn't have a negative star, because this restaurant is one.
(1)
Lindsay I.
We just moved to the area in January and we have been here far too many times. Our favorites are the biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito.
(4)
Anjelah S.
Went out to find a good place to have lunch, ended up having a great vegan breakfast. Cute and clean little cafe..Portlandish kind of feel. Very friendly service. I ordered the Country comfort. Instead of the range free eggs, I had the organic tempeh...instead of vegan bacon, I ordered the vegan sausage. And instead of the rice, I ordered the homestyle fried potatoes. Add some fresh buscuits topped with almond gravy to that meal and wow... That was YumMmMmmmy.. And yes...the Almond gravy" was soOoOooo good. I gotta get that recipe. Best Vegan breakfast I've ever had. Great service, great food and I will have to go back again to try thier lunch.
(5)
Doug P.
Food usually overcomes angst ridden staff. Buffalo things and super grain salads are the highlight typically with changing soup option always of interest. Used to come often for breakfast but found service and cleanliness lacking.
(3)
Sid S.
It's a bad sign when the prices go up and quality goes down- way down. Vita used to be my SPOT. I've been eating the same breakfast item here for years. $8 for everything a vegan could ask for on one plate: biscuit, potatoes, vegan cheese sandwiched between fried tofu, and thinly sliced seitan, all smothered in gravy. There have been subtle changes over the years, and sometimes there would be off days, but my last two visits made things very clear. That favorite dish of mine is in a sad state (and $1 more expensive). I wish I'd taken a photo because it was almost laughable.
(2)
Lily S.
I gotta tell you - the last time I ate at Vita was in 2003 and I HATED IT. My meal tasted like sawdust, I felt sick afterwards, had the shits for two days, and refused to go anywhere near their establishment. Fast forward 7 years later and I found myself heading back there for brunch w/ some friends. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED. For the better. Our breakfast was...how you say...EFFING GOOD. We had corn cakes, which we thought were going to be small, but instead were the size of salad plates. We also had the "chicken fried steak" - which is really breaded tempeh, and came w/ biscuits and almond gravy. It was equally as ridiculous. We wound up boxing the food up and sending it home w/ our dining mates. On top of that, we had bloody marys - which were ALSO really good. And of course, Stumptown coffee. Thank you Vita, for not sucking and changing my mind about you! Needless to say, we'll be visiting the next time we're back in town!
(4)
Kelli B.
I thought that I had made up my mind about Vita Cafe. I had been there twice and been pretty unimpressed. Up until recently. My roomies and I were looking for a veg-friendly breakfast joint and decided to go to Vita. We had a GREAT experience. Actually, it was the Huevos Rancheros that really pushed us over the edge (the Thai corncakes left a little to be desired, but that didn't matter with huevos in front of us). Awesome. So much delicious food. The service was great, dietary options optimal. It was so great that my roomies took friends there the next weekend, too! Kudos to you for bringing your A game, kudos to me for trying something again. I'll certainly be back!
(4)
Christine N.
Oh how i wish i could afford to eat at Vita Cafe everyday! Three words: biscuits and gravy. Vegetarian!! Need i say more? Well, i'm a New Yorker, so it's impossible for me to NOT say more. So here goes... I love their faux turkey, they offer vegan cheese and their fries are super tasty. I've never had a bad meal here! That being said, what's with the superhard uncomfortable seating? I feel like a nun is going to come rap me across the knuckles with a yardstick if my elbow strays onto the table. Also, don't come to Vita if you're planning on having any conversation with your dinnermates. The acoustics in here are atrocious - everything is so loud! Other than those two (very minor) complaints, Vita Cafe is awesome. Go there. Now!
(4)
Assaf M.
Great food choices. great vegan options! all was very tasty. good atmosphere. service is a bit slow and sleepy.
(4)
Richard V.
Don't know what happened, but the last couple of times I've been the buffalo tofu wrap has been pretty much awful. The tofu has been WAY overbreaded and burned. The best part of that wrap was that it had such a light fry to the tofu that it didn't feel deep fried, but had a slight crunch to it. Now it's like eating a chicken strip sandwich.
(2)
Craig C.
Amazing vegan options and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Imaria C.
After coming here 3 times I like this place a little more. The wait staff isn't the most attentive ever. But they are definitely not the worst. The vegan almond gravy is pretty delicious in my opinion. I think I'll be sticking with this place for more breakfast style food, not dinner-y stuff. I'm glad I gave this place a few more chances after my first visit.
(4)
Karl W.
I love this place. I really never paid it much attention until one of my friends from out of town was telling me about it. Every time he comes into town he goes to this place and so I would give it a try. IT'S GREAT! I'm a huge fan of the vegan club sandwich. I've strayed from that on the menu a few times and always regretted it. Not that the other food isn't good, it's all good there, but I LOVE the club sandwich. If you're vegan you will probably enjoy this place if you don't already know about it.
oven roasted vegetable lasagna is wonderful! fair price. this could be my "go-to" place in pdx.
(4)
David L.
I thoroughly enjoy their breakfast. Seem to always have a good special breakfast item that's not on the menu.
(5)
Dawn-Ashley H.
The vegan Chicken Fried Steak will make you slap your mama. It's the best chicken fried steak I've EVER HAD - and I'm including non-vegan ones. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap is amazing. and I do have a weakness for the gin drink... something 75? can't remember the name, but it's amazing.
(5)
Grant S.
I love giving this restaurant four stars. I'd give it five and here is why this veggie is happy. We have arrived sufficiently to have a fancy/casual place with snooty service. Service aside, food is creative, and will fulfill diner and cafe cravings. Veg chicken fried steak is tops, so is the buffalo wrap. Sit at the bar to enjoy the cheeky mason jar light fittings, and come for lunch to groove on the super grain salad. I mean, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and avacado with greens all in one salad? Hell yes.
(4)
Daniel Levis K.
4-star vegetarian diner faire. Server recommended the cheesesteak sandwich for my first Vita experience, which did not disappoint. Although perhaps not the best seitan I've ever had, the swiss cheese and peppered veggies on a soft and fresh bun allowed the sandwich to transcend the meh-level of many veggie meat dishes to true deliciousness. They even have a few meat-meat dishes for non-vegetarian friends and family. Carnivorous intelligence has informed me that the burger is a bit on the thin side, but the bleu cheese helps to make it rock. The buffalo tofu appetizer was the only dissapointment here. Not fried chewy enough, so that the breading and overall consistency was a bit on the mushy gross side.
(4)
Jen I.
i was only in town for 1 and a 1/2 days and i came here twice. that says something. friday night we choose vita cafe since we had a toddler and a baby in tow. it's kid friendly and vegan friendly so a majority of of my party of 6-7 people were accommodated. i was awash with so many vegan choices that my brain exploded and ended up ordering the italian pasta. which was excellent. the pasta itself, it's definitely from the box but the combo of red pepper flakes, tomato, garlic, breadcrumbs, kale and this delicious delicious vegan sausage made the dish filling. after a long drive, this hit the spot. i also sneaked some of the dr's spicy fries and some of the thick cut bread that came with his tomato soup and both were tasty. the tomato soup was just meh. we came back for pre dinner appetizers the next day as we were wandering and shopping in the area and i was anticipating an hour wait at dove vi vi for dinner later on that evening. we ordered the buffalo things, the fried tempeh sticks and i got a side of the vegan mac n' cheese. my favorite was the buffalo things. the buffalo sauce and the fried on the outside of the tofu was just right. the fried tempeh was indulgent but not greasy but i thought the peanut sauce lacked flavor. the vegan mac n cheese was just ok. nutritional yeast to the rescue! i'm glad they have nooch on hand for moments like their not so cheesy mac n' cheese. the dr. said the reuban was a close second in the running for best vegan reuben he's ever had.
(5)
Michael V.
It probably would've taken me a lot longer to try this place out, but seeing as how my friend is vegan, I got to experience what he goes through on a day-to-day basis. I had the vegan club sandwich which is organic tempeh and homemade faux turkey, with vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread. The food was actually really good and with my eyes closed, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between real meat and fake meat. The nice thing about Vita is that it's not strictly vegan, so if for some reason you absolutely positively cannot without a shadow of a doubt live without animal flesh, they have that option for you as well! If you're here though, you might as well try something new!
(4)
Erica S.
This place is so overhyped. I live nearby, and whenever I go past I always feel sorry for the people waiting to eat there. Do they know what they are getting themselves into? For a vegetarian restaurant, it is surprisingly difficult to get a vegetable based meal. Their menu is full of super processed soy faux meat drenched in various sauces. I guess some people go crazy for that, but I prefer to eat real food.
(1)
Susan B.
We've been going to Vita for a while...I love that they have a great selection of Vegan and Vegetarian options, but are still friendly to the meat eaters. I'm very close to a Pescatarian, except that I let the occasional piece of chicken in my diet every once in a while...that and I love cheese! Otherwise, I'd be Vegan for sure, especially with a place like Vita to eat. So, I have been wanting to write a review forever. I love their Thai curry soup and their Supergrain salad! Delic! Last night was the meal that tipped me to write my review though! They had a SouperBowl special! It was ridiculous! It was the Thai curry soup with barley and steamed veggies and a fried piece of Tempeh (seriously is like a piece of Chicken Fried steak - just like it says on the menu). This thing was off the hook. Pair it up with the Supergrain Salad and you won't be dissapointed! Dessert is yummy too. We had the lemon coconut and weren't dissapointed. We loved this special so much we asked for them to add it to the menu, they said they have all the stuff to make it so we could special order it if we wanted! Yay! I also love that they put a caraffe of water on the table for you. I know that's becoming more the norm, but it's just another reason they rock!
(5)
Rick B.
This was the first time I had been back to Vita in over 5 years or so. My wife, who has never been here before, and I were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to go and check this place out. We are not vegetarians but the menu still sounded good to us. Upon our entry, we were greeted to a small crowd of people standing around and waiting. It took me a minute to realize that there was no one to greet guests, just a piece of paper for you to write your party size down on. I looked around the place and there were at least three or four unseated tables. However, there was definitely not enough staff to clear and reset and seat these tables. The staff seemed to be in a mild panic with only half of the restaurant full, all running around aimlessly. Then I noticed that there did not seem to be any one in charge of this chaos. They finally started getting some of the empty tables sat, but we were offered a place at the bar. We took it since it had been 15 minutes already and looked to be another 20 or so. This turned out to be a wonderful decision. Our waitress was quick to ask us if we wanted a drink. We both asked for a pint of the Ninkasi, but they were out of it. I then went with the IPA and the waitress, seeing our disappointment, gave us a three-quarter pint from when the keg blew and she didn't charge us for it. Things were starting to look up!! There were plenty of fun and interesting things on the menu. I decided to go with the Thai pasta and my wife went with the club sandwich with a side of fries. Our food came to the counter in no less than 3 minutes!! My pasta was served with tofu and assorted locally grown greens in a Thai peanut sauce. It was quite delicious! Maybe an extra pinch or two of salt in the sauce would have sent this dish out of this world, but it was still very good. The club sandwich was very good as well. The smokey flavored faux bacon was a nice touch. It wasn't until half way through our meals did we realize that there was a Wednesday special going on. This would explain the chaos for an early Wednesday night. It was all starting to make sense to me. And when our bill came and was under 20 dollars I almost choked! We were charged for only one beer and my entree was only five bucks on Wednesdays!! It seems that if only they had someone in charge making this place run a little smoother, things would have been great. They really do have some cool and great tasting veggie food here and they are also very kid friendly.
(3)
Cori W.
This was my fav cafe in Portland during my previous visit, we went twice in 3 days! You must get the vegan fishwich. Perfection! I never liked fish before becoming a vegetarian but this sandwich kills it. The tofu is perfectly crispy and not too moist/raw in the middle, the vegan tartar sauce was superb and the pickles! icing on the cake. Order some fries on the side, very crispy, perhaps double dipped? either way they were fantastic. Only thing I didn't like about my meal was the vegan bloody mary. While I was stoked to see vegan bloody mary aside from making one myself I wasn't a fan of the wasabi as it was far too spicy, needed more balance. Our second visit I tried the BLT with tempeh bacon and it wasn't as memorable. My bf had the huevos racheros with tofu the first visit, it was a large serving with lots of beans and flavor, the second time he had a seitan philly and was very pleased. I'd love to try breakfast and something more dinner-y since we had mostly lunch items. LOVE THE TOFU FISHWICH.
(4)
Sarah B.
It seems, somehow, like their food has improved considerably since they moved across the street. The ambiance is much better too. Bravo to them for making the big leap. Overall, I really appreciate this place. There are just so few places where you can eat healthy. On a recent visit, though, the large quinoa salad felt very skimpy and I left hungry (it doesn't take much to fill me up). But I'll keep going back because that's the first time I've been disappointed since the move. Service is friendly and helpful. Sitting at the bar is fun. It can be pretty noisy which I don't mind but others might.
(4)
Michelle B.
Oh I love Vita... I LOVE the Tempis Rueben! I can't get enough... My boyfriend loves the chili and fries. I also really like the spicy tea. yum... One of my 3 favorite places to eat in Portland...
(5)
clancey y.
how do I start? If you are one of those people that think that vegans eat rabbbit food, then you need to eat at the vita, if you are a junk food vegan or veggie this place will become your kitchen. The server I had was how a server should be and very cool, but I have heard some other reviews..there is always a server that screws all that up. Nachos YES...fried country fried something gravy was country and I knew I was only allowed to go once in a while in fear of dying from over eating. As a vegan I promote this place (so far) and as a health aware person I suggest you watch out! This is the food that americans love to eat but with the karma of an angel. There is some "sticky headed" server running around there giving people bad service, do not blame me if you get her, I have never met her. Yes on the children
(4)
Andrea V.
I like Vita. I really do. But jeez, Louise, you can cut the attitude here with a knife. If you can get past the snarly-stinky-hairy waitresses, the food is pretty decent. I'm happily carnivorous but still will indulge in the occasional tofu/seitan/tempeh entree, and they have booze. Best of all, they have amazing desserts and its in my neighborhood. My vegan friends love me for taking them here. Would it really kill the wait staff to bathe and/or smile once in awhile? I swear I'd tip better if you did.
(4)
Kabra M.
ok so first night in town, visiting my girlfriend whos wedding im planning, and she takes me here since im allergic to gluten...SCORE!!! (man im gonna do an even better job on her invites now LOL) it was a friday night so there was a bit of a wait but the girls were so nice it didnt matter. super cozy atmosphere w just enough buzz, you know, "were cool but not too loud and umcomfy". :) i got the supergrain dalad which was delish and my friend got the gluten free "macaroni and cheese" special. gluten free vegan?!?! easy to find on a menu?!?!?! I LOVE PDX!!!! everything was great and affordable, i cant wait til im back in may!
(4)
Katie C.
Update: Unfortunately, I cannot necessarily recommend this restaurant to my celiac friends anymore. Last night, even after clearly expressing my needs to our server, I was glutened from eating at Vita Cafe. The server was a bit dismissive about my concerns ("We have a staff member here who is celiac and she's totally been fine"). This time we sat at the bar and I could see that the meals that were ready to be served were put in front of open bags of bread. The gluten-free dessert option, which I was informed was prepared in a gluten-free facility (Rawdacious), was stored underneath the regular, flour-rich cakes, although it was covered in plastic wrap. I don't expect perfection from a restaurant that isn't a dedicated facility, but for a place that lists numerous supposedly gluten-free options on its menu, it could take more care to prevent cross-contamination and its customers getting very sick.
(2)
Micah D.
So I've been here a couple of times now. The food options are very good. While I am not a die hard vegetarian let alone a vegan I do love the non meat dishes. They are packed with flavor! The prices are reasonable for a sit down establishment and the servers where nice and nice servers apparently are hard to find in this town. The "bar" has bicycle gears embedded into it, that's cool. This is definitely a veggie/vegan lovers dream. They even have a raw cheesecake that I hear is the bomb but have not tried, next time.
(4)
Rainbow R.
I have been wanting to try this place for ages. Even though I am not currently a vegan, it is always great to see what vegan creations are out there. When I went, I was stressed because too many things look good. I ended up trying the "fish" sandwhich, and boy, was it good. I had been a true vegetarian for about 8 years, only recently incorporating some fish back in my diet, but this sandwhich makes me realize there isn't the need! Since with most fried fish, I think you only really taste the fried part and the sauces - and that is what this sandwhich tasted like, but better. While some fish can be iffy, the tofu was cooked nicely and the sauce was really good. I can't wait to try other items off the menu!
(4)
Bobo J.
Tasty vegetarian delights! I loved the vibe here. They were playing Kate Bush, the bathroom was clean and smelled like oranges, the radical literature was plentiful. We had lunch: fishwich (my personal favorite because of the deep fried and battered tofu!), seitan cheese steak (nothing special but solid), fresh-cut fries (delicious and plentiful), and thai coconut soup (flavorful). The service was excellent--very kind and attentive. I will definitely return.
(4)
Xtine B.
I always like to start on a positive note so let's start with the good stuff. . . .the food. I choose this cafe as a meeting place with my stepdaughter on a recent road trip. She and her boyfriend are decidedly not vegetarians and I wanted someplace that would cater to both our tastes. They certainly excel in that area. The menu has enough diversity to satisfy anyones appetite. I had a wonderful lunch of the Vegetarian Ruben Sandwich and the soup of the day, White Bean. The sandwich was so good that I ended up eating the other half in the car within 100 miles. The Not So Good: My pet peeve about most vegetarian food is that it lacks flavor. Vegetarian restaurants, for some reason, don't think of adding a simple pinch of salt to their food and thus add to the illusion that vegetables are bland and uninteresting. I'm a firm believer in never sending anything out of the kitchen that has not been properly seasoned. A little thyme and a pinch of salt would have improved the soup beyond measure. The Not Good At All: If you're expecting a smile with your average service, forget it. I hate to slam the service from a single visit because an individual can have personal ups and downs that can affect their performance and attitude. I couldn't give them a second chance as I was just pass through. Would it have killed the waitress to make me feel welcome as opposed to infringing on her time? I just hate snotty servers.
(3)
Jason D.
When I want to eat a vegan breakfast (at lunch time) made just exactly the opposite way grandma used to make it... I go here. Friendly, attentive servers. Great vegan food. Good beer on tap. The only thing I would change and the only reason there aren't five stars: the menu (and thus, the kitchen) isn't entirely vegetarian.
(4)
Susan C.
Amazing vegan food. My carnivorous husband loved the buffalo tofu. Great selections for children as well.
(4)
Desire' S.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan,but found the vegan selection I chose(vegan club) to be utterly satisfying, and well presented. The server was attentive and charming. Beyond the food, the over all layout of the place was earthy, warm, and welcoming. I'm a fan. Go vita!!
(4)
Cory B.
I've always had great luck here. It gets super busy at times, but the food is always good. I especially like their vegan nachos and breakfast burritos.
(4)
Jay E.
I had the Country Breakfast or something to that tune. Biscuits and gravy, tempeh bacon, tofu and crispy potatoes. YUMMMYYY. All this for only $9! I wish there was a Vita cafe in LA.
(4)
Taylor W.
I have been here a few times and I always receive great service and amazing food. I love their brunch menu.
(5)
Samantha P.
I keep hoping to fall in love with Vita, but never do. It's in my neighbourhood and is vegetarian friendly, but the service is always very slow (it seems like the servers have something better to do with their work time than their job or something) and the food is alright, but definitely not mind blowing. They have a good happy hour on Wednesdays, but don't expect quick, friendly service. It's alright, but there are better places in the city.
(3)
BB E.
Was wandering around Alberta Street today. Outside enjoying the sunshine and clear skies (a rarity for January in Portland). Was looking for something to eat, and me and my friend were craving some Mexican food. We wandered around and found a place that looked promising, but being a vegan, i was thrown off a bit by the menu. They said the beans and rice where good to eat, but the listing of various meats and by product started to turn my stomach. So back down the street we went. And there like a light in the storm was Vita Cafe. I knew OF them. I knew that the had vegan food. I knew that after attending the NW Veg Fest this past September, that their biscuits and vegan gravy was a knock out of the ball-park. This was it. We were set. We walked right in, and immediately were seated, even though we had my kid and a large stroller with us, and it was pretty busy. They got us table and before we were to the table, a high chair was set up for us, and a place to stash our boat of a baby carrier. The menu was more than promising. The only dilemma, DECIDING! Everything sounded so good. To many choices is so much better than 1 choice like if we went to the mexican joint down the street. They even offer a kids menu which ROCKS (but my kid is still too young for his own, he just eats off my plate for now). I decided to go with the Vegan Club Sandwich, and my friend got the BLT w/ a small side of fries. Food came fast, was fresh, warm and tasted DELICIOUS! My Club was great. The "turkey" was tasty, the "bacon" tempeh perfectly cooked, and it was topped with guacamole! More foods need avocado on them. My kid even liked it (and he is only 9 months old!). My friend said her food was great too (i didn't try her sandwich, but i totally trust her judgment), and the SMALL fries she got, was more than enough for all 3 of us! We could not even eat them all. The environment is real nice. A bustling cafe type atmosphere, great fast service, awesome artwork all over the walls, and killer vegan food. I'm sold! Hands down! I'll TOTALLY be back.
(5)
James E.
The staff at Herbivore recommended Vita Cafe to me, so I walked my dog about 4-5 blocks and quickly reached my destination. I've never been to Portland - ever - and being able to take my dog with me into restaurants made me love this city even more. The menu offered a lot of vegan options for me to choose from, and my God how the food quickly filled me up! What's that game called where you roll balls on dirt? Is that bacci? Did I even spell that right? I'm feeling lazy at the moment, spellcheck will have to wait. Whatever you call the game, there's a court in the outdoor area adjacent to the tables. Watching families and children play with one another whilst everyone happily ate--Seattle could stand to take a few notes from Portland.
(5)
Katie M.
My boyfriend LOOVVVESSSS Vita because he's vegan and he can get fish and chips there. I think Vita is pretty good. I always get the chili because the chili is actually excellent. The people who work there are also super super nice and service is great. They also always have lots of cake, which is good news for my sweet tooth.
(4)
Cosmic M.
The vegan, gluten-free tofu "fish" and chips was great! I really like how I can order from the well-prepared menu for food that meets my dietary needs. Lots of gluten free options.
(4)
G W.
This place is really good. If I lived in Portland I would check it out again and again and again. Food was well prepared and service was friendly. The only reason it is getting 3 stars is because of the flies that were present in the dining area. This may have been a one time thing but staff please do something about the flies daily.
(3)
Art V. B.
The vegan options in this restaurant are plenty and overall tasty, yet mostly unhealthy due to the high amount of sodium. The salads are fresh and drinks cheap. The decor of the place is nice, service very friendly and the crowd, oh well, gentrified hip as you can expect in Alberta. Both of the entrees that I shared were very salty, however, eating the club sandwich was worth the massive intake of sodium. In contrast, the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes was a health hazard (i.e. very salty) that was not worth eating.
(3)
Ranie G.
I was going to write this review earlier today, but I was planning on trying out Vita's Wednesday happy hour tonight and thought I'd allow one more impression before doling out my stars. I've been to Vita about four times before (once for take-out, which I'm not sure really counts), so I could consider myself a pretty good authority for a review. Wednesday night is Happy Hour from 5 pm to closing (not sure what time that is-11?). Draft beers are $2 as are well drinks. Cocktails off the menu are $5, and a small list of items are $5 as well. Tonight I had the Thai pasta. Not only was I shocked to see the huge portion, but it was delicious and arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. My dining partner ordered the multigrain salad which he declared as the best salad he had ever eaten. The staff is friendly and not too hipster. Non vegans might be a little hesitant to try this place out, as most of the menu is dedicated to meat-free dishes, which include a variety of fake meats and cheeses. They do have real bacon and apple sausage in the morning, however. Even so, both of my breakfast experiences here have been a let down. I'd save this one for dinner.
(4)
Carole Ann W.
Came here for the first (and second) time over the weekend because it was so close to where I was staying. I'm neither vegan nor vegetarian, so I was pleased to see that they offer meat, as well. Had the 2x2x2 both days with the chicken apple sausage and it was delicious. The first day, I ordered the NW corn cakes and they were good, but not super memorable. I'm not a huge fan of real maple syrup, and the consistency was a bit too soft for my taste. I also ordered a side of the morning potatoes, and HOLY GOD were they good. Seriously, I ate all of mine and half of my friend's both days (although the second day I wised up and subbed the corn cakes for the potatoes). I also got the grapefruit mimosa and it was lovely (and huge). Overall, I was really impressed with the food, although the service was pretty slow even when they weren't very busy. If I lived in Portland, I would come here often.
(4)
Bunneh L.
This place confirmed all my suspicions about vegeterian/vegan food. It's not food. Face it, animals taste good. I ordered an omelet w/guacamole. Instead of a verdant green, this guac was an unappetizing olive/brown. I was shocked that any restaurant would even serve something so clearly past its prime. The tempeh was even worse. I don't know if it was just bad tempeh or if tempeh always tastes like ass. Either way, I hated it. The various kinds of faux meats I sampled repulsed me. How do you people EAT this stuff?
(1)
Krysta V.
I've been a Vita patron for many years. Service has been hit or miss at times, but the new location is much better. Lots of great options, generous portions and good prices. No one has mentioned their fries, which I happen to think are some of the best. Thick cut with the skin still on. They are super satisfying. I don't think I'm capable of eating at Vita and NOT getting the ceasar salad. I love the Chicken Fried Steak. The fishwich is awesome. Breakfast is always good.
(4)
Lisa H.
I've eaten here probably three times due to it's convenient location and vegan food. However the total package is not enough to make me make this a favorite place. It is a good place to go for a diverse food crowd, due to having both meat and veggie options. It seems that they are pretty kid friendly too, so it would be a good place for the littles. I've tried the buffalo tofu wrap a couple times. Pretty good- I absolutely love breaded tofu skin. It's also pretty good sized to fill me up. I've also had the supergreen salad, which while tasty, was too drowned in dressing and didn't contain enough quinoa for my liking. The ambiance is pretty cool and comfortable. The road sign decor matches with the road sign recycling bins on Alberta street. However, every time I've been there the service has been inattentive and slow. Like last night, my group had to put our name on a list, and we were number three. Within a few minutes, three tables had opened up, but it still took us 15 minutes to be seated. Not cool. Would I go there again? Sure, if I had plenty of time set aside. But it wouldn't be at the top of my list of favorite places on Alberta. I'd be interested in trying their sister restaurant Natural Selection, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
(3)
Kirsten H.
This is one of my favorite brunch places and I am a meat lover! Some people might shy away from it because it is mostly vegan and vegetarian but the soy "meat" products are delicious. I love getting the Faux Turkey Florentine, the almond gravy is to die for. While sometimes there are long waits its usually worth it and the service is good. I will continue to go there often.
(4)
Vi E.
Delicious! I'm not vegan but I've been a couple times and am so pleased. I've had the caeser salad both times which was very saucy and has a LOT of croutons, but its very good. Both times I went during happy hour which is all Wednesday night I believe. I've had a Mojito and the Blue Jay. Both delicious and recommended! The mac and cheese is gooey, cheesy and delicious. and the vegan gumbo is awesome! Good service, little slow some times but worth the wait. I will be back! They also had a full case of vegan desserts. I will have to try the key lime cheesecake (raw) next time!
(4)
Amy G.
Something for everyone here. We are a family of 2 vegans and 2 vegetarians and Vita Cafe is one of our mainstays. Breakfast is simply awesome, and dinner is a range of comfort foods and more unique offerings. We even bring our carnivorous family here when they visit... A few organic meat options for die hards like them!
(5)
Sophia T.
I had a delish mate and vegan benedict that I enjoyed thoroughly. sweet staff. lots of vegan choices which rocks.
(3)
Maddie B.
Terrible service, just ok food and very pricey for what you get. Fries are an undercooked mess, egg scramble was over cooked and not impressive. They waitress charged us twice for everything gave us the bill then never returned. We ended up having to hunt someone down to fix the bill and pay. This is a place to walk right by. If you want amazing vegan food go to And Cafe or Portobello.
(1)
Tyler A.
Oh I did. I was in a terrible mental state but one of my besties in the entire world was visiting and all the rich food we had in Seattle was killing her. I ate to soothe my wounded heart but she was about to have a heart attack! So I sat down begrudgingly at this vegetarian joint, then saw the menu. What? What? Normal non-veg options? I still needed to drown my sorrows so she had a kale salad while I had full dairy nachos, grass fed beef burger with bacon and a farm fresh egg, with a side of fries. The fries were the size of small tree branches!!! (It was an emergency! I swear I needed all this!) I couldn't even finish my burger, well, the nachos were flipping amazing. That got my bestie too. Kale salad to the wind, the tasty nachos were topped with cheese, beans, guac and sour cream, and to make my carbo loaded dreams come true, Mexican rice! It was divine and more than enough for 4 people as a main course. I triumphed in this veggie joint. So the moral of this story is if you are consoling a omni-whorish best friend and still want to keep your figure, bring them here. There are ample and delicious options for everyone. Oh and to top it off, service is f*cking awesome! Timely, gracious, friendly - and you can't say that too often here in PDX! 1 star docked cuz my egg was not runny. I know I'm a hard bitch to please!
(4)
Taryn E.
Super YUM vegan club!
(5)
Jon T.
Vita Cafe was one of the better vegan-oriented places in Portland. In some ways, it reminded me of Herbivore in the bay area, though Vita Cafe is not all vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter.) It had a lot of comfort-type foods and I can surely say after eating an appetizer, club sandwich, and beer, I was more than comforted for the rest of the night. Recommend going here for a funky atmosphere, good beer, and not so healthy vegan food.
(4)
Chelsea S.
GET THE BREAKFAST BURRITO! It's HUGE and delicious. You won't leave unsatisfied. A tip for if you order fries, they come in a big enough basket to share. So if it's just you I'd ask for half (unless you want a whole basket of fries to yourself that is!) The only complaint I have is that when it get's busy, it's hard to flag down a server when you need them. Otherwise, excellent.
(4)
Carol A.
Delicious vegan options. Good cocktails and the best vegan Italian sausage sub I've ever had.
(5)
Sierra D.
I have never had a bad experience at vita. Plus the customer service is already super rad. The food is superb and great for the price. If you're looking for some feel good American vegan food eat here!
(5)
Lady L.
Fantastic, healthy breakfast. Mediocre, overpriced lunch. Great atmosphere, cool art on the walls, very cozy. Go for breakfast!
(3)
Demi F.
On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. While on the phone placing my order, I asked the server a few questions regarding the menu and ingredients that were not specified on the menu for one item. When I asked her about the ingredients of the Daily Vegan Soup, located on the menu, she breathed heavy with a sigh and said, " the base of the soup has a red color, so I'm guessing it has a tomato base." With the attitude and tone of voice she used, I did not ask further questions about that soup. I ordered the Nachos and the 3 Bean Chili. I was asked if I would like the corn muffin or the onion bread with my order. I asked which item taste better in her opinion and she again sighed, stating she would choose the bread. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, my co-worker checked her bank statement and seen that her card was charged an additional $2. Both myself and our other co-worker checked our receipt and bank statement again. We too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. One co-worker called to speak with a manager and get it corrected on her card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. It's very unfortunate that we received that kind of service for a restaurant that has good and healthy food.
(2)
Cheyenne C.
so I came here not even a little hungry and ordered the country breakfast with tofu, veggies, and potatoes and I finished my plate. I have never had biscuits and have and now I'm there #1 fan. veggies were lovely as well as the tofu. The potatoes were exploding with flavor. clean nice place.
(5)
Eve K.
Great tasting, healthy food. Very friendly - although kind of slow - service. Worth the long wait for brunch on weekends.
(4)
Bliss D.
I want to like Vita. I usually love low-key vegetarian/hipster hole-in-the-walls. But I don't. I don't like it and it makes me sad because I know the potential is there. Also, the hostess has fantastic swagger and looked stunning in her jeans and sparkly shirt. I ordered the huevos rancheros with tofu and fauxrizo. The red sauce that came on it totally overpowered the dish. It's all I could taste. It was so intense and distracting that I couldn't finish. My other half ordered a Thai corncake and I tried a bite. It tasted like I was chewing on the HABA section at Whole Foods. Way too much perfume and far too bland. It needed a tiny little kick of some kind. Not sure what, but it lacked pizazz. Also, this is minor, but our iced teas weren't refilled until the waitress brought over our check. They went empty for about 20 minutes. Sad face. I would go again if I was in the neighborhood and with someone else who wanted to go. I would order the veggie burger. If it was amazing I might reconsider the 3 stars. If not then I doubt I would ever go again.
(3)
Rick H.
Vita has been a decent alternative for when my Vegan wife wants to have more then one or two menu choices and is tired of dealing with my decidedly pro-carnivore eating habits. In the past I have never really been impressed with them. I've had a variety of choices from the menu, from the BLT (bacon,) to the Vegan Chili, the Mac and Cheese (vegan,) Nachos (vegan,) Burger (Vegan and Beef,) Seiten Cheese Steak (Vegan,) and the 'Chicken' fried steak (Vegan.) Probably about a dozen visits in total over the years from when they were across the street to their new(er) location. Coincidently Vita is where I was introduced to Portland's own Aardvark Sauce. But today they really redeemed themselves with breakfast. We were headed to the Tin Shed, but arrived after 9am so found a 30+ Minute wait. Being hungry like, now, we kept cruising down Alberta peering in door after door and dodging long lines outside of places like Pine State. Neither of us knew that Vita was opened for breakfast, but decided to stop by after spotting the Open sign, and the lack of a line. I ended up having the Huevos Rancheros, a dish I fell in love with while in San Antonio and being forced to dine in cheap and dirty Mexican Diners. Even with out any beef or chorizo, this turned out to be one of the tastiest versions I've ever had. I can attribute this 100% to the Chili. Now as a Chili, their vegan Chili has always just been kinda "eh." But when covered with some salsa and eggs, it transcends mere inclusion as a gag in a Mel Brooks movie. The Corn Cakes are another great item. It takes a few bites to get around the fact that they're corn meal based, but once you do... holy cow! Them are some good 'cakes. There are several other breakfast menu items too, not to mention the standard eggs/meat/bread platter that you can get just about anywhere. Oh, and even though almond gravy sounds weird, the biscuits and gravy are actually quite good. Speaking of, the Almond Gravy is actually pretty good for breakfast. It doesn't work well on the 'Chicken' Fried Steak though, but on biscuits.... So if you're not 100% Vegan or at least willing to pretend to be, try to hit Vita up for Breakfast and avoid their lunch and dinner.
(4)
Tony T.
Came here a few months ago after a coworker recommended it. That's the last time I go with that person's recommendation. I had a Thai noodle dish with a peanut sauce, that was probably my first mistake. Why come here and have Thai noodles? Well, I go to the Cheesecake Factory and get the Thai Chicken Pasta and I love it (not claiming that to be authentic). I was in the mood for something sweet and tangy. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the dish, it tasted like noodles with sprinkled peanuts on it. Ambiance was nice but a pretty typical Portland restaurant type of set up, nothing too crazy. From what I hear, they do have a pretty extensive vegetarian menu so maybe that's why my coworker recommended it. Perhaps that was where I went wrong... I'm a crazy carnivore and I need meat. Some I suppose would love this place because of the selection and options, I did not.
(2)
Navi T.
I was hungry when I touched down at PDX and I had to do 3 things - find the place where I'm staying at, rent a bike for the day since mine was in transit from Oakland, and find my roomie. After I picked up my rental bike from Everybody's on 19th and and Going, I met with my roomie and we were roaming Alberta St which almost reminds me of Temescal back home. But enough of that. My roomie for the week is a vegetarian and I'm pretty open minded to that. I'm a pretty indecisive person but after roaming the streets for a while, we settled on Vita. And I think we made a fine choice. He had the vegan Reuben, I had the vegetarian cheesesteak with a side of fries to share. I can't speak for my friend, but my veggie cheesesteak was pretty damn good, how the seitan was prepared gave it a indistinguishable taste and feel like the real thing. I got almost reminded of a certain one I've enjoyed at Bender's in the Mission. The fries were good but nothing to write home about. We washed it down with a Ninkasi ale of which I don't remember. And the total for 2 with beer and NO TAX was around $21. Well done.
(4)
Shantesh P.
if you have those days where you cant have meat but wish you could have meat... Vita cafe is a good option. Chicken fried steak was delicious, satisfying. Buffalo tofu wrap was also worth trying out. The ambience was a cool hangout place for meeting friends and something unusual for Portland Visitors. I highly recommend!
After I pulled a hair our of my mouth, my husband spit out a huge chunk of clear, sharp plastic. No joke. I had the grossness of disentangling the hair from my food and mouth, and my husband, at the same time, had some sharp industrial plastic in his food. Other than that, the food's mediocre at best.
(1)
Kelsey J.
I've been to Vita Cafe twice for breakfast and was satisfied both times. The first time I ordered the Mexican-style corn cake which was delicious--made with roasted red peppers and topped with guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream. I normally don't like vegan sour cream because it tastes too much like the real thing--but this had a mild nutty flavor and didn't taste like it came from a package. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables, which were an excellent addition. I tasted the H.O.G. (Herb and Onion bread with vegan almond Gravy) my friend ordered, which was good also--and a half order was only $3! The second time I ordered steamed vegetables with lemon-tahini sauce on the side. The veggies were a mix of broccoli, purple cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower if I recall correctly. Neither too mushy nor overcooked; tasted great and even better with the lemon-tahini sauce (which is not on the breakfast menu; I ordered it off the lunch menu even though they hadn't begun serving lunch yet). It was cool that our server could accommodate this request. In general the service wasn't bad--a little inattentive when we wanted the check, but nothing to get upset about. Additional Pros: Good coffee, breakfast served until 3pm, lunch from 11am, and open late (until 10pm). Half orders/smaller portions are an option for the salads and soups, and also for a few of the breakfast items.
(4)
Dr. Bridghid M.
Plenty of options here for everyone. The staff are all great.
(5)
Devon D.
Revised review: the menu options are still great. The food is usually delish, though I did witness a friend's burger come out looking and tasting like a charcoal briquette with no offers of a replacement meal forthcoming by the surly waitress. Overall, the service is pretty sub-standard. A few of their people are hardworking folks who know what it means to work in the service industry; the rest leave a lot to be desired. Pity they pool the tips.
(2)
Lilac L.
We came to Vita's for dinner following an afternoon cask fest, some of us over-sunned from the long walk over, some of us 1 beer too many, and one of us fresh from the tattoo parlour. We got exactly what we wanted at the time. What did we all want? We wanted vegan choices. We wanted comfort food. We wanted to relax and be casual. Feeling indecisive, I ordered a side kale salad, a side of mashed potatoes with almond gravy, and a cup of Thai coconut soup (the focaccia bread slice was soooooo good). All good. Try the Buffalo Things! My partner ordered them and I hesitated being excited about them at first, feeling like I was reaching my fill of fake meat for the weekend, but while the Buffalo Things emulate the bright orange colour and unique seasoning of buffalo wings, they are essentially long rectangles of tofu served with vegan ranch dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a little for a table. We came during dinner rush and had to wait 5-10 minutes. Not bad at all, considering how amazing the food is.
(5)
Lizzy P.
So much to choose from as a gluten free vegetarian! I got Tempeh chicken fried steak and it was great! Super cute neighborhood. Would love to return again when I find myself in Portland :)
(5)
Crystal R.
I am so jealous of Portlanders and the plethora of vegan breakfast options that await them even on weekdays. Vita Cafe has a great vegetarian and vegan friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner array. I have been twice for breakfast and was not disappointed. The almond gravy is soooo good. I've had it on the country fried tempeh and on perfect vegan biscuits and it is delicious! I almost ordered the country fried tempeh on my second visit, but wanted something that felt a little more healthy, so I ordered the Denver tofu scramble with potatoes and it too was great. I love that their tofu scramble is cubed tofu and not a tofu mush like most places I order it at. Between Vita and Juniors, I wish I could fly to Portland whenever my friends want to do brunch. St. Pete is seriously lacking in vegan breakfast options.
(5)
Amy L.
Great vegan bar and comfort food. What more can I say. When my craving for greasy food hits I'd return here again and again. My favorites are the faux turkey reuben. Great selection of microbrews. Nice dessert selection Cons: Service a bit slow
(4)
Dana G.
Had a surprisingly nice dinner at Vita with a group of six! Waiter suggested lasagna (couldn't make up my mind - too many good looking, healthy looking vegetarian options) It arrived with a little side salad (sweet!) Tasted a delicious glass of sangria (maybe should have ordered one) Two pitchers of water on the table, No sign of grumpiness when we were last to leave, And the carrot cake slice was widely loved and shared.
(4)
Paige Z.
This is good if you are a vegan. They make the most delicious vegan comfort food. They also sell really delicious vegan desserts
(5)
Aaron P.
As many of the other reviews have already mentioned, the staff at Vita Cafe are not the most efficient and organized bunch. I went with three other people on a Saturday evening so it was pretty busy. We waited about 20 min for a table, which was not so bad for a Saturday night. The annoying thing was that there was an empty table for four open for 10 min before someone finally realized they could put us there. They have a good sized menu that can accommodate most peoples dietary needs which is awesome. The prices are also decent. I wasn't blown away by any of the food but it was good for what it was. I would consider going back sometime.
(3)
Jade B.
Adore this spot and just about everything I have tried (many many things).
(5)
Gabrielle H.
Day 20 of my 21 day Daniel Fast was so extra special, so extra crunchy, and so extra spicy because of my visit to Vita Cafe! One of my best girlfriends and I headed there to accommodate my rather limited diet, and even though she's a full on carnivore, we both left with very full tummies and happy hearts! I ordered the BBQ Tofu Wrap with extra buffalo sauce on the side & a small order of Thai coconut curry soup. My friend ordered the "Chicken" fried steak (it was actually seitan!) with mashed potatoes and a delectable almond gravy. We had an absolute food blast! The ambience is casual, chill and the service is top notch. I hear they have rockin raw/vegan desserts too! That was the day I fell in live with PDX, and oh I can't wait for my return...
(5)
Jessica Y.
I am not a vegetarian... or a vegan... not even close. BUT I have nothing against people who are, and I am also a big fan of tofu. I was perusing the Albert District on a Sunday, and had some time to eat lunch. Vita Cafe caught my eye on Yelp due to the great reviews (don't accidentally go to Caffe Vita... which I did, and ran out of). Once I arrived, there was really nooone guiding me where to go. I figured out (monkey see, monkey do) that guests have to sign in themselves (no real host/hostess). It seemed like there were a lot of empty spots at the bar before I got seated (party of 1). Anyway, I finally got my seat, and I ordered the buffalo wrap, and man - it was tasty! I mean, I could totally tell that it wasn't chicken, but I did not mind one bit. I would love to go back and try some of their other items. I can see why this is a favorite spot; would've gotten 4 stars if it hadn't been for the spotty service at the door.
(3)
Ellie B.
Holy seitan, I love this place. We came for a late lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the buffalo tofu wrap and keep wishing I could have it every day. Now that I am 1700 miles away, I might have to try to make a version at home. Sigh. I also ordered the Ginger Rogers drink - it is minty, gingery goodness. My Greek salad was good but my friend's Caesar was even better. The staff was friendly and attentive and checked in on us at the right moments while also being unobtrusive.
(4)
Christa D.
I love this quirky place. We drive down from Seattle and our first restaurant we go to is Vita Cafe. The drinks are great and I love the fish sandwich, which is breaded tofu and is so yummy. The fries are awesome! We usually end up going here a few times on our trips because it is so good. Breakfast is also great.
(5)
Olivia T.
We had buy 1 entree get 1 entree 50% off coupon from Chinook Book. We decided to try this place for dinner. There were family with kids and apparently kids eat free there. I think that's super cool. We got a table right away. I ordered the Vegan burger and Jesse ordered a Buffalo Cikin wrap. Our food were good. Nothing special, but nothing bad. Their fries are steak fries style and just my personal choice, I love the skinny fries better than the steak fries. Good food. Good service. The three stars sums it up. It's A-Ok place. Nothing stand outs, but sometimes it doesn't need to.
(3)
Tim A.
Oh my, the Lasagna is so fine. I love to dine out where I have several choices on the menu, and this place has that. My wife loves the Thai Coconut soup and the super grain salad. Their corn muffins are really good.
(5)
Dylan R.
Vegan gluten free chicken fried steak is amazing as are the corn cakes. Sometimes the service is kinda rough, in that typical Portland way so I haven't left too offended. I wish places would ditch Stumptown for some of the other great coffee roasters around. I wanted to give three stars in acknowledgement for some of the service experiences but the food is so good and the service is ok most of the time and not terribly offensive so four it is.
(4)
Misha A.
Yummy, but about what I'd expect in Seattle -- including margarine that had butter in it. Still happy with the "chicken"-fried tempeh and spoonsful from a friend's bowl of rice porridge.
(4)
Kpc S.
I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant whatsoever. Their food / vegan options were amazing and the servers were very nice. Highly recommend them!
Large, delicious menu. Wicked deals on Tuesdays!!! An absolutely amazing buffalo tofu wrap!! Great servers and good breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)
Inna B.
This might sound crazy, but I *love* my Campbell's tomato juice, and this is just the tomato juice they serve. THANK YOU! I was in Portland and we were looking for a vegan/gluten-free friendly breakfast joint. This is the spot that stood out for having both of those options, so this is where we went. It was quite busy at about noon on Sunday morning (also Mother's Day), but we were able to get a spot at the bar (or a table, it was our choice) in about 5 minutes. To drink he had the fruity smoothie with tofu, which was pretty good, and I had two glasses of tomato juice. I love that stuff! From my first sip I was pretty sure it was my favorite kind (Campbell's), and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the waitress pour two cans into my second glass. We both had the PDX breakfast with tempeh (instead of egg or tofu). He had brown rice and a gluten-free corn(?) bread as his side and bread, and I had the potatoes and sourdough. The tempeh and potatoes were pretty tasty (I enjoyed their hot sauce option!), and rather similar looking. It was pretty strange to me to get a plate of what looked like almost all one thing. I still got really full, though, and really enjoyed that sourdough toast. I'm not sure why exactly, but it was quite possibly the best tasting sourdough I've ever tried. We also got a side of veggie patties, which kind of reminded me of falafel. They were a bit crispy/hard, but pretty good. Our total before tip was about $21. The waitress we had didn't seem very friendly or interested in us, but she took our order and brought us food, so I guess she did her part. I'd definitely go back again, and would love to try their lunch options!
(4)
Rob C.
I've gone to Vita Cafe off and on for a while now, and each time I find that the actual experience is less impressive than memory leads me to believe. It's not bad - especially for a cafe that specializes in vegan and gluten-free food, but it's not as good as it could be. The service is always a little too hipster (i.e., a little too cool for school) and the place itself has a slightly schizo feel to it, as if the staff isn't well trained. Or at least isn't trained in efficiency. The food is decent, especially considering a lot of it seems made in-house. The vegan sausage I had was more hockey puck-like than I loved, and the gravy was more like mushroom flavored glue. But their Thai corn cakes were pretty killer, and the coffee is nice and strong. However, last time I checked, salt and most spices are vegan/GF, so feel free to use a little more. I do appreciate having vegetarian-friendly options for breakfast (not there's anything wrong with bacon), and this will remain on my "maybe" list for the future.
(3)
emily r.
I am sorry Vita Cafe. I have to average my past 5 star experiences and the 1 star experience I had the other night. The lasagna is AMAZING. Get it with both red sauce and pesto sauce. SUPER GOOD. The fries are wonderful. Get them seasoned! Super good drinks. But the other night, I ventured from my usual meal. I had vegan macaroni, and I have to say... it was absolutely inedible. The noodles were so overcooked they were mushy and the sauce tasted like someone threw a bunch of the overcooked noodles in a blender and poured them over the top. I almost sent it back, but we couldn't get the attention of our waitress... so. yeah. i just pushed it around on my plate and it was packed up to go before I could say "no!" Vegan mac and cheese can be really good if done right. I was really disappointed. Also, our service the other night was terrible. I was really sad because I brought my brother there to show him one of my fave restaurants. blah. I will still go back to Vita Cafe, but maybe I won't bring guests there, and I'll stick with my regular meal.
(3)
Anneka N.
This was my first nearly-vegan restaurant experience, and I really enjoyed it! The food and drinks were fun and delicious, and my boyfriend and I noticed lots on the menu that we want to go back to try. I should mention that until a little over a month ago he was a staunch meat-eater, but he got really excited about Vita's menu, and about his dinner in particular (fajita plate). Food and drinks are really reasonably priced, and good all around. Ambience is relaxed and artsy. Service, like others have pointed out, is not great. They don't greet you at the door, but instead have you write your name down on a waiting list, which is fine. But, I don't think a single person checked the list for the next 15 minutes, even though there were several couples waiting, and several open tables! It seemed like the staff chose to clean or set up the vacant tables only when they felt like it, doing a little here and there, then taking a break to take some orders and chat with guests who were already seated. This whole thing was mildly annoying, and probably sounds like a bigger deal than it actually was. Once we were actually seated, our server was great.
(4)
Mary G.
Best breakfast ever! I drive at least twenty minutes just to come out here and I am never disappointed. The staff rocks. The atmosphere is comforting while all the while relaxing and inviting. And the menu is full and plenty with amazing food just waiting to be had.What can I say, these guys have their shit together and they are ready to serve you nonstop awesomeness. Thanks for being here Vita Cafe!
(5)
Joe J.
I am religiously an omnivore, but, have to say, I had a great visit. It was a hangover Saturday, but, my meal (brunch special of corn cakes with SW style toppings platter) was awesome. It was quite memorable. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Madeline W.
I have been to the Vita Cafe many time over the past five years. I like that you can get healthy food and there are vegan, gluten fee, and traditional options. My favorite breakfast is the New Years Breakfast with a delicious corn cake and veggies. I went yesterday and I was very frustrated with the service and quality of food. My wife ordered the 2,2,2 breakfast and wanted to sub fruit cup for the French toast. The server said this would be too expensive and he would have to add to the price of the meal. So she got a tiny pile of plain scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and a small fruit cup with pineapple and grapes for $11.50 instead of the regular price of $9. I thought that was appalling.
(3)
Linda C.
Went there to meet up with friends over Sunday lunch. They are vegan and we are vegetarian so figured this place provided us all with lots of good options. The interior decor is laid back and casual with plenty of seating, and large windows across the front. The waitress who took our drinks order was polite but not very friendly and she didn't offer a smile. I ordered the Vita herbal tea and hubby ordered an IPA. Both were fine (well I think he enjoyed his a little more than I did mine). We ordered a Thai Corn Cake to share as a starter (sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup) which was interesting...kind of like a grits pancake but a little sweeter. It was big enough that we shared with all four of us. Next up, I ordered the Vegan Club Sandwich (organic tempeh 'fakin', homemade faux turkey, vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread) and hubby ordered the Greek Scramble (feta cheese, spinach, tomato and red onion). Hubby said his was nice, nothing special but enjoyable. I devoured my Club Sandwich - although messy to eat, it was really tasty. Overall, I think we'd venture back again sometime since there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.
(3)
Dani G.
Very delicious cocktails and food. I ate the Buffalo wrap and club sandwich. Both were very tasty. They have a habanero margarita that is on point. All of their cakes look delicious but I was too full to try a slice. The red velvet and black forest looked the best. I'm not usually into meat substitutes but the meat on the club was so freaking good. The service is fast, friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Wolf L.
It's been a while since I actually got up and left a restaurant because it was taking so long to get some service. Arrived for breakfast and they weren't exceptionally busy. I got a cup of coffee when we were seated but 25 minutes later, no one had taken our order. People who arrived AFTER we did were getting their orders in and I was starting to get grouchy. My wife tried to wave a waiter down but was ignored. I guess we just didn't have enough tatts or something. Well, I had a wallet full of cash and I walked out the door without leaving any of it in Vita Cafe's register. I guess they're so rolling in dough that they don't need my cash. I did plunk down a couple of bucks for the coffee. We will never return. I'll also never patronize that new vegetarian place they opened next door, and I'll tell everyone I know to avoid this f**king place like the plague. Oh, yeah, then there's this well-deserved one star review. BOO-YAH!
(1)
Suzy K.
Fabulous menu for a vegetarian cafe! Excellent faux buffalo chicken, salads, soup, sandwiches - everything we had was delicious. Very nice, comfortable location and decor. We will definitely stop in again next time we are in Portland. Absolutely! But - only 4 starts because the servers seemed a bit .... not put out, I can't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't that they were snooty - maybe it was that the customer was kind of an afterthought? I don't know - we waited a long time for someone to come by and clear our table, we were waiting to ask for containers to take our leftovers. Then we waited a long time for the check to come (and it was not because the place was very busy). They were very nice when they came to the table - it was just as if they were getting around to remembering we were there - and it appeared the same for the other few tables of people in the joint. Really just a delicious dinner though!
(4)
Suzann B.
I hate waiting for no reason. You can watch the staff talk. They don't even bother with iced pitchered water, they bring over a pitcher of warm water and leave it. Like, why even tip, these people are not servers. The food is really like 3 different items served in three different ways over and over. I would rank it worse but its not that bad, and it really is what it looks like. Don't go here unless you are so cool you hate good customer service.
(3)
Loli L.
I almost made my doctor proud with my breakfast. I got the Vita scramble and loved it! I can never get enough veggies in the morning and for once I got them without having to peel off any disgusting avocado*. My eggs were happily cage-free (which always amuses my mom) and when it came down to pick either brown rice or potatoes, I had to go with the potatoes. Sorry, doc. It was so good! -and super reasonably priced. * My thoughts on avocados: yelp.com/biz/avocados-sa…
(4)
Katie M.
I love going to restaurants that can accommodate vegans/vegetarians, meat-eaters, and gluten-free folks. No-one has to compromise, everyone leaves happy. Vita is such a place, and the food and service are awesome. There are options for everyone-- not just one gluten-free or vegan dish, but several to choose from. Even when they're busy, service is typically fast and food comes out quickly. The servers are friendly and welcoming and quick to top off your bottomless coffee. This is a great place to take out-of-town visitors, as there is a definite "Portland" vibe without being pretentious or annoying.
(4)
Ainsley D.
I've been on the hunt for vegetarian soul food/southern comfort and it has been a struggle. While visiting Portland a friend had mentioned that Vita did some sort of "chicken" fried steak... First we had the buffalo things and they were the best hot wings I've had the pleasure of eating. For dinner I got the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy, but opted for their awesome fries instead of mashed potatoes. Delish!
(4)
Stuart F.
Vita Cafe is another establishment I visited in a short trip to Portland that makes an incredibly strong case for uprooting my life on the east coast and moving to this vegan utopia. Loved all the vegan options.
(5)
Ellen G.
I love any place where I can order anything on the menu. They do really solid fake meat here. The food never blows me away, but is reliably tasty and well-priced. Bonus: This is one of few places on Alberta where you can be seated promptly. Leave the Tin Shed for slow weekdays and come here on the weekend instead.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Granted I have only been there twice and haven't tried many of the food options other then the vegan biscuits and gravy and the chicken fried steak, but i must say they were both absolutely delicious. I didn't know you could even make things vegan this good. The service was friendly and chill. I like places like this with a chill vibe and a good food. definitely my favorite place in portland and will definitely come back for a visit.
(5)
Matthew S.
One of the best vegan/vegetarian menus in town. The seitan cheesesteak is everything it should be. I recently had the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and went back the next day because it was SO GOOD. The only thing that's a little disappointing is the fries: they're a little mushy for me. I usually get takeaway, but the staff are pretty good about getting stuff done. I've always had a pleasant experience here.
(5)
Rebecca R.
We had out last Portland dinner here, and it was wonderful. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the menu is very diverse, and really offers something for everyone. We started with the buffalo "things" with vegan ranch, and they were SO good. My fiance isn't even a vegetarian, and I had to fight him for the last one (not really). He got the biscuits and gravy as an entree, which was a very generous portion, and I got the "chicken fried steak," which was tempeh served with mashed potatoes and all covered in the same gravy as his. This is where I wasn't as impressed. The gravy wasn't especially flavorful, nor was my tempeh. I would have liked a little more kick or something. All in all, a good experience, though, worthy of the 4 stars.
(4)
Andy B.
Don't let the casual decor and laid back atmosphere deter you- it fits right in with Alberta. Being a vegetarian, I'm glad I read the menu thoroughly because almost every dish has a vegetarian option. From the BLT to buffalo "wings" appetizer. Ask the server for any suggestions or any questions- they are friendly and are honest and knowledgeable. Vita is definitely in my short list of restaurants to repeat soon. Thanks!
(4)
Richard M.
I used to go to Vita fairly regularly years ago, and just fell out of habit for whatever reason. I returned today and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if I forgot how delicious everything was, or if they've fine-tuned their recipes, but each dish was impressive!
(5)
Katelynn P.
Great vegan cheeseburger and delicious mojito! Server was friendly but a little distracted. Only waited a bit for a table at 7:30 on a Friday night! Open air feeling but not super noisy. I noticed they had highchairs but active children might have trouble as there is not much space to roam without being right in the way.
(4)
Brian B.
Top 3 vegetarian/vegan food in town. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all great. Best vegetarian chicken fried steak I have ever had.
(5)
Aaron W.
I ordered the Seitan Cheese Steak ($7.50): sliced seitan (meat substitute) with sauteed peppers, sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, and melted pepper jack cheese on a baguette. All in all, a very good "cheesesteak." The seitan was moist and tender, a lovely substitute for the usual ribeye or top-round meat that a traditional cheesesteak would have. The sauteed vegetables were cooked perfectly, retaining a little crunch for a nice texture contrast. The pepper jack cheese provided the must-have gooey awesomeness in this sandwich. Nice flavors all around. For me, though, I felt this sandwich did not have enough filling...more seitan, cheese, and sauteed veggies, please! I also did not see a hot sauce option on Vita Cafe's menu, which could have added more dimension here (perhaps I'll ask or look harder next time). A good meal with good service, just not a mind-blowing experience.
(3)
Logan T.
The sad thing about this review is that the food was actually great, especially as a gluten free non-meat eater; however, our server made an ass out himself and destroyed my image of the meal. When he wouldn't put bacon in my friends' burrito, but couldn't provide a good explanation (just kept saying he couldn't), I knew we were off to a rough start. Then his kitchen forgot the toast for his meal until he'd almost finished the breakfast, rendering it useless. He also never came back to see how we were doing, a pet peeve of mine. By the end of the meal I wasn't thrilled about the experience, so we decided not to leave a tip since he hadn't earned it. How did he react? Well instead of taking this life lesson as a chance to improve, he ran after us as we left the restaurant demanding a tip. When we said he didn't earn it, he yelled at us and said to never come back...all in front of his staff and customers, yelling that "I don't work for free!" forgetting that we know he doesn't, minimum wage is still paid to him. I suggest that he look for non-tipping jobs if he's going to get so upset when he's called out for not being good at his job. Overall, good food bordering on great food, but TERRIBLE service if your waiter is a greasy haired whiner.
(1)
Daniel H.
I may have to give these guys another chance. I wasn't terribly impressed with my first trip. Went with my girlfriend here to meet some friends. Ordered the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy. Had almond gravy several times before but this was pretty bland. The steak was decent and the potatoes were good...just wished they had topped it better. And the prices were quite steep, even without fries or any other sides. Plus my stomach didn't feel so great following the dinner. Who knows for sure if Vita was the cause of that, but like I said, I may have to try again. Service was very friendly though and the place was clean and well-decorated.
(3)
Marcia S.
My Mexican Scramble was great, and the Nachos even met approval of a very fussy 13 year old BUT the Hamburger that was served to one of my guests was mouth dropping eye opening insulting! The patty was not much bigger than a frozen Jimmy dean sausage and I was not aware that they make buns that small, keep in mind I eat out 7 days a week due to my work. When I looked at the bill and saw that THAT plate with not even a chip was 8.00 I felt insulted. Very trendy, great service and what the Chef does well they do very well but if you want an all American Burger do NOT go there. Unfortunately the day we were there my son's pants were wet from the toilet leaking. As I said, what they do well it is great but they are having some growing pains!
(3)
Dave B.
As a person who travel a lot for work, I'm always on the lookout for a good Vegan meal. While in Portland this week I happened upon Vita Cafe. What an awesome little place. I ended up eating here two nights in a row for dinner, and even squeezed in a business lunch. The atmosphere is pretty casual and locals rule the joint, but I totally felt welcome. The food has been absolutely fantastic. If you are a starter type person, I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Things. These are the closest I've has to the "real" thing, and I loved them. For the dinners I've ordered the specials both nights. First was One Giant Burrito. It was stuffed with vegan chorizo and a little bit of love. Tonight was the veggie pot pie. Yummy! Both came in at $10 and the portions were humongous. At my lunch meeting I opted for the Cheez Steak sandwich. Pretty incredible in itself. Anyhow, food is delicious, portions are huge, and atmosphere is great. I'd give it five stars anytime and it'll be a regular stop for me every trip to Portland.
(5)
Juniper K.
So much yummy! They have great food that is gluten free and vegan and they have natural sodas, and yummy desserts, and the servers are generally friendly! The art is kinda silly sometimes. I really enjoy it and would recommend.
(4)
Margaret R.
One of my favorite dinner spots in Portland. They have great options and even a couple with meat choices for non-vegetarian friends. My favorite is the vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with almond gravy! I miss old-fashioned comfort food and this is my vegetarian version of it! The service is great and the wait is never too long.
(5)
Kedar D.
Vita Cafe has a cool vibe and feels like a rustic diner where you could chill with friends, get a beer or a cup of coffee, and talk about life. It's a laid-back joint. I wasn't impressed with the food, however. I had a half order of vegan french toast ($3.50), a Denver tofu scramble ($8) and also tried a few bites of my friend's vegan biscuits and gravy ($5). First, the french toast was not good. While I like that the bread had heft (as opposed to being made with sandwich bread, they make it with sourdough at Vita), the bread itself was too sour for my likes. The syrup didn't help much. Also, the texture of the bread came across as chewy, rather than moist and fluffy. The tofu scramble was really basic: tofu, seitan, bell peppers and onions sauteed in oil and served with some fried potatoes and toast. The scramble itself could have used more spices (maybe I ordered the wrong one? they had multiple scramble offerings) an the portion size wasn't particularly large; most of the calories seemed to come from the potatoes. I loved the spelt toast, however. My friend's biscuits and gravy were okay, but not the best I've ever had. For one thing, the biscuits were too dense and hard, and not flaky-soft. Also, the almond gravy is a nice bit of experimentation, but as others have noted, mushroom gravies just work better than anything else. Lastly, the dish could have used more scallions and maybe a nice heaping of diced tomatoes just to freshen up the plate and bring out some other flavors. Kudos to Vita for serving loose-leaf teas, by the way. The service was friendly but not particularly fast; we waited at least 15 minutes for our order, which was strange given that there weren't many people in the restaurant. All told, Vita isn't great but I suppose its vibe and solid number of vegan offerings make it a keeper. That said, you can get better vegan brunch foods elsewhere (Sweetpea Bakery comes to mind).
(2)
Carlin S.
My favourite breakfast on the Alberta strip by far. TONS of vegan/veg options and really good about the gluten-free thing too! Really friendly staff, and all the food is super fresh and doesn't feel greasy. Have been mostly for breakfast, and love all the tofu scrambles, gluten-free corn muffin, and huevos rancheros. I love this place!
(5)
Ludo N.
Tried breakfast at Vita the other day and it just isn't very good. The service was nice but the food just isn't great.
(3)
Chericka A.
The Thai coconut ginger corn pancakes with bananas were uniquely pleasing to the palate and a great dish to share. The veggie omelet was equally pleasing and the potatoes that accompanied were perfectly cooked to be crunchy on the outside while staying moist on the inside with just the right amount of salt. Service was slow because the waiter admitted our ticket slipped behind an appliance but we didn't mind the wait. The space was clean, lots of happy, hippy chatter and nice open windows allowed the summer morning air to keep it comfortable and bright.
(5)
Randy H.
Vegan chicken fried steak, cool vibe, yummy coffee, rad service. Love it
(4)
Jared Z.
this place has amazing homestyle greasy spoon style vegan food, soooo good. get the "chicken" fried seitan with mushroom gravy
(5)
Sarah M.
Oh, YUM. Vita is where it's at... I moved away from Portland not too long ago, so I write these reviews as a way of reminiscing when I get hungry, it's kind of sad but enjoyable. Every sammich on the menu is delectable, but especially the Fishwich. Although I haven't had "Cold Veggie Wrap", just cause I never go for things like that... As for starters, the Buffalo/BBQ Thangs are hot and spicy with a punch, just how I like it. I will stop there because I could go on and on. Oh, beware: on First Thursday they are crazy busy and only serve a selection of things off the menu (or at least this was the case last year). This can be disappointing if you travel an hour from SE Portland to eat dinner with high hopes of a full menu... lesson learned.
(5)
Sherlock H.
I wanted to check this place out since it was featured as a food place on the northwest vegetarian web site. I'm no longer a vegetarian, but do enjoy finding places that offer good veg options in case I want to scale back on meat. This isn't the place. First of all, the interior is pretty bohemian in style, not exactly a decor that makes one think of cleanliness, especially given the little flies hovering over the tables. I got the tempeh "chicken fried steak" meal, and it was pretty bad. Tasted like deep fried cardboard. The mashed potatoes that came with it were bland as well. The clientele at the place seemed to be throwbacks from the 60s, not that it affects my meal, but it gives you an idea of the type of people who likely find this to be a good place. I also ordered a salad with spicy shrimp. The salad was brought out at the same time as my meal which suprised me, and the shrimp were not spicy, again pretty much lacking in flavor. The cook, by the way, has a beard, and that just bugs me to see someone with facial hair leaning over my food. We will never, ever return to this place.
(1)
Megan O.
love this place. i've never had anything but good food here, it never disappoints. the vege chicken fried steak is sooo delicious and super hearty. greek tofu scramble, fishwich, mac and chese, blt with fake bacon, biscuits and gravy, it's all yummy. be sure to try their yogi black tea, it has ginger, cardamom and pepper. it's spicy and has a great taste. you may have to wait a bit to get a table, but just grab a paper and be patient.
(4)
Christina C.
Great menu selection, awesome food. Cute back patio with bocce ball. Reasonable prices, I was impressed.
(5)
Ananda R.
Yes Indeed! A great place for veggie fare! The fake BLT is SO DAMN GOOD, and the lemon grass veggie thing is most awesome, AND they have Sangria.... a spicy take on an original idea!!! XOXO PS the Patio Rocks with the bocce ball!!
(4)
Neal W.
I love Vita Cafe! What a great vibe this place has! The food is always very good, but not enough for a five star rating in my opinion. Still, I love it. The back patio is the place to be if you go. It's beautiful out there. I love the mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meateater options here. I'm a veggie, but I can bring my vegan and omni friends here too! Always the most fun after Last Thursdays!
(4)
Kate S.
So, maybe my 5 stars is a little on the naive side as I am new to vegan cuisine, but that day it couldn't have gotten much better. My friend and I, a recent vegan convert decided to give this place a whirl on a beautiful sunny weekday afternoon. We were seated outside in their spacious patio and the server was very friendly and helpful. My friend got the tofu buffalo wrap and hesitantly, I got the nachos. Que rico is all I can say! The buffalo wrap was TO DIE FOR and the nachos were equally tasty. They have vegan happy hour and a great vegan dessert selection. Maybe it was a combination of the weather, my company or trying new cuisine, but Vita Cafe had me thinking go vegan or go home by the time we left!
(5)
carly s.
Vita has gotten a whole lot better in the past year or so. The vegan breakfast options aren't the best and the guacamole tastes like it comes pre-made but the specials, tofu buffalo wrap and onion and herb bread are awesome. Most of the servers are nice and helpful.
(3)
Kelly R.
Vita Cafe is a regular spot for a close group of friends of mine in the NE area. That being said I find myself there more than I'd ever though I would and I have to say. I have never been disappointed. The food options here are plentiful for both vegans and vegetarians alike. Not to mention the quantities are along the lines of comfort food. Vegan Comfort food? Need I say more? Go check it out, bring a couple friends and an appetite. Friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere make this place a great "I drank too much last night" stop in the early morning, and an all around great place to make eats happen.
(4)
F. Explora L.
the buffalo chicken wrap was delicious! nice n' spicy too!
(5)
Arnie Lewis T.
Gosh, I don't have much to say....it's okay, but not super fantastic. I've been many times (in the old location across the street) and have always enjoyed. But last night was definitely lackluster. Service lacked and I felt like spending $30 for burger/fries, Mac & Cheese, and two happy hour beers was way too much. I was having a hard time coming up with something REALLY delicious and yummy off of their Last Thursday special menu....something was missing. So, I'm not sure I'll be back. There are so many choices in Portland and along Alberta -- and this has definitely moved down a few notches for me.
(2)
Valerie F.
I've heard great things about this place & couldn't wait to try it. The first time I went I ordered the turkey club or something (came with turkey, bacon, guacamole, tomato) My friend said she would have the same. The waitress brought us BLTs. We told her that's not what we ordered & since the only difference was the turkey & guacamole she said she would bring it out. About 15 minutes later we got it. (The sandwich was actually very good) Accidents happen no big deal. I went there again a few months later & ordered the breakfast burrito. I don't what they ended up giving me because there was broccoli & carrots in it. I have never heard of a breakfast burrito like that. Sadly, I didn't notice it until I got home because it was pretty damn flavorless to begin with. The waitress acted like her shit didn't stink like a typical Portland hipster. She also rushed to bring us our check without even asking if we wanted desert (which my friend did). Considering both times I've gone my order has gotten screwed up I don't see any reason to go back.
(1)
Aaron R.
Went back, specifically for the Vegan Mac-n-Cheese, and it was YUM once again. I totally missed their move across the street, though -- when I got there, it was a mix of vertigo and deja vu dealing with the fact that they moved directly across the street. I like the new space, though -- not quite as loud. Oh, and if you go on Wednesday nights, they have cheap eats for $5: Mac and Cheese, Fishwiches and more.
(5)
Abe I.
Vita still has a lot to work out, (their tempeh would be better suited as a sponge), but the stand out biscuits and gravy, and nachos are always great. Also the desserts are absolutely killer, and their eclectic menu (eastern, italian, veggie, and meat options among other things) can usually keep any mix happy, and the decor is welcoming and clean. But all in all, the Vita is like a drunk preacher, and their sermons of delicious veggie food sometimes fall flat. Also, I should mention, the service is usually pretty bad, tables get ignored and orders get forgotten constantly.
(2)
Heidi C.
I visited the Vita when I was checking out PDX to see if I wanted to move here and it was one of the factors that convinced me that it was the right move. As a vegetarian from Omaha, NE this place was heaven. The chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and almond gravy is one of my favorites, although it is coma inducing. Lately I've been enjoying their soup of the day that they serve with herb and onion bread. I'm highly addicted to that bread... so good. The seitan cheese steak is amazing, I wish they served it for lunch. So many great dishes. My only complaint are the wooden booths. I find them seriously uncomfortable. When I'm dining with friends it gets really distracting. Aside from the seating I highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.
(4)
Kathy T.
I wa not imressed. I was really looking forward to going there while traveling through PDX but it was a disappointment. The almond gravey was really not good at all! The biscuits were left over from who knows when. The wait staff was nice enough but the food was not very good. My partners food was good enough so i ate some of his. The corn cakes were good but dont try the gravy!
(1)
audrey y.
Vita Cafe is one of the few "safe" places for my son to eat at, since he has major food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts). The staff is extremely knowledgeable about the ingredients and won't hesitate to check with the kitchen about ingredients. The savory kids' mac n' cheese is his favorite (love that the after 5PM kids menu is only $1/dish!), while my daughter prefers the pasta with red sauce and parmesan cheese. I like how they don't "dumb down" the kids menu, but rather offer just smaller portions of what the grown-ups enjoy :). While the pasta isn't going to beat out a "pasta" restaurant (and the same thing with one of their burgers vs. a "burger" restaurant..you get the idea), you gotta give credit where credit is due - they do a very decent job under one roof of tasty, vegan food. The winners in our book are the lasagna (ask for both the red and the pesto sauce!), the thai coconut soup (you can have a little brown rice thrown in there for substance), and the tempeh/tofu fries. The bread that accompanies the soup just rocks. And the vegan dessert selection is great too...try the chocolate mint cake, or the oatmeal cranberry cake! Minus a star because, well, it's not the cleanest joint. I'm a little leery of the toys in the communal toy bin and the floors under the booth...let's say you don't want to have your kids hanging out there too long, looking for crayons. But, hey, what's a little dirt? And germs build up your immune system! Otherwise, great job and thanks for making little kids who can't eat dairy and eggs have a fun, safe place to eat!
(4)
R S.
Want to love them, but I'm never quite there. Loved them more at the old location. The new menu items (like he sloppy biscuit-- egg gravy and cheese open face on a biscuit, vegan version available) are very strong-- maybe strong enough to make up for the loss of lived in ambiance. I think what holds me back is that (sorry) some of the items remain a little blander than expected--but anything with gravy or tartar sauce, vegan hollandaise, coconut, etc. will be sure to be tasty. So if you order right its five stars-- and if you have one thing you don't like, don't fail to go back.
(4)
Maria L.
A reliably consistent place to get tempeh BLT's. Nice people too.
(3)
Mikaela S.
I've been trying to give my self some time to think about vita cafe and try to figure out what it is that put me off. the first time i visited i at breakfast with my friend. we ordered the Thai corn cakes and they were wonderful. we also go a smoothie and scramble and loved every bite. we met a rad mama there in the booth next to us and our waitress was great so of course we wanted to go back. the next time we went for dinner and it started off so well. we knew what we wanted to order and when our waitress came around promptly she leaned in close next to one of the babies sitting highchair who had a small menu and was waving it around. inevitably before we could warn her she got whacked in the eye. we felt terrible and even more so when the waitress ran away and didn't return. we both felt embarrassed and incredibly uncomfortable. a different waitress came back later and we ordered just a small something but didn't feel like eating anymore. we wanted to apologize to the waitress or ask if she was ok. we asked our new waitress how she was doing and she said 'i think she is really hurt'. oh crap we thought, the baby injured the waitress now what? but, as we were leaving our missing waitress made an appearance and apologized, said she was fine and ran off because she was stressed out and in shock but her eye isn't hurt. a huge sigh of relief but still made me uncomfortable. why didn't she come out and say that maybe half hour sooner and spare us the shame? i don't know. but what i do know is that this meal was lacking in flavor and quite uncomfortable.
(3)
Rassamee H.
Definitely the vegetarian/vegan's paradise (that is coming from a meat-eater though). Not sure what a certified vege/veg would say. Had a side of fries which was more like a whole meal, needed salt, but not bad. Also ordered a "real" burger (meat), pretty bland, I guess they only season the vegetarian/vegan food. My husband got the salad with different grains (quinoa, etc.) in it. Not his cup of tea either. Our veg friends were happy but after a weekend of tromping from one veg-friendly Portland restaurant to another, I was ready for some meat-friendly food. Luckily I went to a diner in Seattle the next day for some bacon and eggs:)
(3)
Rickie Lee T.
I used to think this place was the cat's pajamas, but I understand now that I was dodging the restaurant's mediocrity by ordering the AWESOME Reuben sandwich every damn time I went. The cheese steak is the only other thing that I would recommend. I hate me a veg burger that wants to be meat...there are so many awesome things we can make fake burgers out of (black beans, mushrooms, etc), the fakey-meaty taste of Vita's burger simply will not do! Last time I ordered my staple Mediterranean salad, it came with a new addition: cabbage?!?! Who puts cabbage in a Med salad? I felt kinda bad about saying anything, but when I did the waitress was nice enough to take one of the beers off our tab, so props for that. If you go, order the Reuben!
(3)
Julia S.
The waitstaff here is always snotty and borderline rude. They overcharged my pal's card & messed up my order. The food is really hit or miss. But honestly the biggest downer is the obnoxious staff and their inability to smile or be friendly.
(2)
Vanessa M.
Sevice can be spotty, but it's a reliable spot, serves the best and healthiest not-so-healthy food (e.g. biscuits and gravy) possible. Plus, they cater to just about every strange and/or restrictive diet possible.
(4)
Beth L.
We hadn't been to the Vita in awhile but with family in town and a couple of vegan/vegetarians in the group, we decided to go. The food is just as good as always and we had great service. Our waiter was professional, quick and kind. The food arrived quickly and everything was just right.
(5)
Edward J.
I love Vita Cafe. The vegan food is wonderful, though it may take some use to for the meat eaters who never had vegan food. I got the vegan fried chicken steak with gravy, and that was tasty. My boyfriend got the mushroom strognoff pasta, he thought it was alright, could've do perfect with some vegan beef or chicken. My friend from LA (the meat eater) got the fish and chip, now that was a bit disappointing. We expected to be soy fish but it was soft tofu fried with vegan batter. The batter and the fries are good though. We want to try the dessert next time we go. The cake looks so good.
(4)
Samantha E.
Not only was the food amazing but our service as prompt, kind and honest. Ashley a great! Not only did she take time out of running a billion tables (the place was packed) to answer our questions about the menu but she was honest about what was good and what was just okay. My Thai coconut soup was out of this world as was the basil dressing for my salad. Good job Vita Cafe and Thank you!!
(5)
J B.
best menu in portland for vegetarian
(5)
M K.
I love the selection of vegan food they have here. I have tried the vegan ruben, the club sandwich the mac and cheese, and a few of the soups and salads, all of which were awesome. The soup and salad comes with some amazing home made bread that I'm in love with. The service is ok, but the food makes up for it
(5)
Surranna V.
I spent a short amount of time in my life as a vegan and I swore by this place. They have great selection of things for vegans and veggies. I would only return if I was with a veg. They also carried some good wines to go with dinner. I dug the atmosphere also.
(5)
Bula W.
I'm addicted to the Seitan Stew. Love it. My mouth waters when i think of it (like right now....). Their drinks are also fun, especially during Wednesday's discounts. Kids do run around during happy hour but the place still has a great vibe.
(4)
Marcel L.
We popped in here by accident, and since I was in the mood for a burger and fries I definitely didn't try any of their specialties. But the burger was great, although the fries were a bit greasy and soggy. The service was good and they had a few toys for tots. A pleasant repast in a warm environment.
(4)
pepper j.
Wonderful food, great in the summer
(5)
Jeremy S.
Being new to the neighborhood and having driven by this place, we assumed it was a coffee shop. After having gotten coffee across the street at the Concordia Coffee House, however, and peeking in and seeing people eating food, we came to the conclusion that it is in fact a restaurant (duh). After perusing the menu, we decided to give it a shot. We ended up splitting the Mediterranean tuna steak and the risotto fritters. If there's anything I can complain about here, it;s the service, which, while not horrible, was less than attentive. It was a busy night, so I'll cut them some slack, especially since the food was so good! They goofed and brought our risotto fritters to another table, so our meal was a little backwards (entree first then appetizer), but the tuna was so damn good we didn't really care. And for $9.75?? Seriously, this is a meal that you would expect to pay $16 for and not feel ripped off. It was that good. At $7, the risotto fritters were tasty, but much less bang-for-your-buck awesome. Being not even slightly vegan or vegetarian, there are aspects of this place that annoy me a bit (what if I just want some REAL mac n' cheese??), but overall we would definitely come back here again (if for no other reason than that tuna steak), and their Wednesday night happy hour seems like a great deal - $2 pints of Wolaver's?? Say no more, I'm in!! Edit: We came back for breakfast a few days later and split the "country plate" (or whatever it is). I made a point to ask the waitress how someone like myself who is neither vegan nor vegetarian would react to their "almond gravy". Upon hearing my question, a guy seated at a table behind us piped up and said "well, I'm not vegetarian eigther, but I love it". So, given that endorsement and the generally high caliber of food we've experienced here (see above), we decided to give it a shot. And well, if I had the choice between sausage gravy and almond gravy, I probably wouldn't choose the almond, it was still pretty good, and overall the meal was excellent - and the two of us got filled up for $10 ($9 for the plate and $1 for an extra biscuit)! The waitress was a bit surly again (although once again it was very busy, and for awhile she was the only waitperson there), but I'm willing to deal with it when the food is this good and this cheap!!
(4)
kristin e.
All day happy hour on Wednesdays is what I discovered upon being seated which was perfect because I was craving mac-n-cheese (vegan) and saw that during HH, it's $5 instead of $7 and cocktails were $5 (I think) too. I ordered the philly cheese steak (made with seitan) with vegan cheese because I dislike pepperjack cheese (the real cheese option of you order it) and the mac-n-cheese with steamed broccoli added on top. The cheesesteak was pretty tasty but I was a little disappointed with the mac-n-cheese. I was hoping for a nice creamy mac-n-cheese (like the super delicious one featured on vegnews.com ) but it was kinda thin and watery...it'd be more accurate to list it as some kind of pasta dish and not mac-n-cheese. I had the ginger rogers cocktail (kinda like a mojito but with gin and gingerale instead of soda and rum) which sounded good in theory but it wasn't well balanced and tasted too much like gin to taste the hints of mint and ginger.
(4)
Kelly M.
Vita used to be owned by the same folks who brought us the Paradox, the cornerstone of Vegan restaurants in southeast. The Vita Cafe, their Northeast endeavor, features similar comfort food tendencies, but with a more sophisticated menu and atmosphere. Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, plus a nice patio and good desserts.
(4)
Valerie W.
The moment I stepped into this cafe, I knew I liked it. The atmosphere gave off a laidback and unique vibe, which was a good start. I loved the variety of options on the menu. I tried the Vegan Mac 'n Cheese, which I know is not terribly exciting, but I wanted to see how the flavor compared with regular mac 'n cheese. It was quite tasty. My two friends ordered the Thai Pasta and Italian Pasta, both of which were delicious and flavorful (of course I had to try them). The "sausage" in the Italian Pasta had a nice bit of spiciness to it. I absolutely love the low prices for most of the dishes. The night we went, my mac 'n cheese only cost $5, as well as my friend's thai pasta. We also tried the Mint Chocolate Cake for dessert, and it was amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back just for dessert. As other people mentioned, the service was quite slow, but since this was my first visit, it was worth the wait. I will definitely be returning to try some of the other dishes.
(4)
TheBeesKnee S.
I want to like the Vita Cafe, but I'm still on the fence. The menu is amazing, the food itself is okay. The problem comes in when they advertise something like homemade seitan and then barely include it. I got the seitan stew and was hoping for a hearty cold-weather meal, but the seitan was in paper-thin strips the width and height of my pinky finger. Disappointed, I turned to my boyfriend to try his Italian pasta, he said he could barely find the homemade sausage. It was crumbled into teeny tiny pieces, and just dusted on the pasta. Come on, guys, give us the good stuff! Give us big chunks of our fake meat!
(3)
Reed E.
When people speak of the disdainful attitude of portland servers, they all must have been to the Vita at least once. Portland is a pretty veggie friendly town, and I can think of at least ten other places I'd go to before this one. I guess their biscuits and almond gravy is pretty good, but the lack of service kind of makes it not worth it. I once waited over an hour before our food came. It wasn't that packed, and numerous times we saw our "waitress" sitting at the bar talking to some dreaded out stink bomb. We only kept waiting cuz the person with us really likes their pancakes. I wish I could give it another chance because some of the food is tasty, it's got a nice outside seating area, and it's close to home, but I can't stand being in an establishment where the workers make you feel unwelcome.
(2)
sara r.
Why is it that almost every "vegetarian" restaurant in portland serves meat? How stupid. However, despite its stupidity, vita is still my favorite place to eat in portland. The chicken fried steak with almond gravy is vegan and fantastic. Also the mac and cheese with brocolli and tempeh is pretty awesome too. Fair prices and USUALLY not too long of a wait.
(4)
jillian r.
not impressed. the food was alright. tempeh bacon not that great, mac and cheese nothing to write about, bland bland bland, the chili wasn't too bad, but they couldn't have given a smaller portion... the service was terrible and that completely killed my dining experience. willing to give it another shot, based solely on the other reviews. But not if our server is the female server with short blond hair.
(2)
Juliette S.
I went to this place after being given the impression by their advertising in a family magazine that it was a kid restaurant. It was as much a kid restaurant as any restaurant is with a kids menu and coloring crayons. I actually felt a little uncomfortable bringing my kids there as the restaurant doesn not have a kids friendly vibe. I actually almost didn't walk in because I thought is was a bar at first glance. The tempeh is tolerable at best if it is slathered with gravy or hummus, or both. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy and that was fabulous. My daughter was terrified of her plate of rice, veggies and tofu. So the food was hit or miss. The service was very slow at best. The place not busy at all and everything took forever. If you consider that there are very few vegan options in town, it should be 5 stars, I just can't do that though. They didn't earn it. Hint for staff: When you have a customer with a screaming child, and the customer is standing by the booth with a crying baby - it is probably a good time to bring the check. Just a suggestion.
(3)
Jillian B.
Club Sandwich til I die.
(5)
Tall C.
I went here for the first time because it was fairly close to an event @ Woodlawn Pk. that me and my date went to. I never hang in this neighborhood because all it has, as far as getting out to "sight see" is mostly bars and restaurants. Kinda reminds me of being in a theme park......shit, Portland is kinda like a big theme park but you can live there. Anyway, we had a great waitress who brought me my order of fries(wasn't very hungry) and them sommBitches were way over cooked! As soon as she was getting ready to sit them on the table, i was like "damn! he sizzled them babies to death eh?" but she was cordial about it and let me ttry one just to see and i was like "nah" . So about 10 min later she brought back some fries that were tits. Perfectly done(crispy outside and moist inside). My date ordered the vegan buffalo wings, which i tried and loved. Great buffalo sauce over battered tofu, but the dip was not so great tho. I would return for more tho....the cook knows what he's doing.
(3)
katie g.
The boyfriend and I decided to come here on Sunday after we decided that we didn't have the three hours it takes to eat at the Tin Shed. The inside is all right looking, I found the giant numbers posted on each booth or table a little off-putting. I mean, can't the wait staff memorize which tables are which? I bet its not that hard. Anyways, i had a hard time deciding what I wanted and my waitress happily pointed somethings out. I had the 2+2+2 ( 2 corn cakes, 2 eggs (or tempeh or tofu) and 2 meat(ish) items) and my boyfriend had the mexican scramble with potatoes and homemade onion bread. The Tempeh that I substituted for eggs were totally flavorless, and I had to steal some gravy from the biscuits and gravy that we had also ordered to make them palatable. The corncakes and tempeh bacon were delightful. The corncakes are really hearty and I wish I had just ordered them with a side of bacon. The gravy was good (although not as good as mine) and my boyfriend really liked his scramble and the bread. The potatoes were dry and crispy, which some people may be into, and don't have a whole lot of seasoning on them, so keep that in mind if you are ordering them. As for the service, our waitress was sufficient, but it was hard to wave her down to ask for things that she have brought in the first place (jam for the toast, etc.) and seemed pissed when we wanted a clean fork after one fell on the ground (I'm certainly not going to assume that their floor is as clean as mine!). Pretty typical Portland service that gets by here but would be abominable anywhere else in the world. There is a big patio out back that looks like its pretty sweet during the summer and a full bar. I like that they compost everything. Overall, I think this is another example of a place that is trying too hard to serve vegan food that tastes like meat instead of just trying to serve good food that happens to be vegan.
(3)
ToriDawn S.
I've been here twice now and have been pretty darned pleased both times. Portland is supposed to be a mecca for vegan and veg faire, and Vita Cafe lives up to that rep! First time I came, a friend and I just shared the nachos-YUM!!! He's not even vegan and was hesitant about trying the vegan cheese, but after one bite he changed his mind. The portion was excellent, the flavors great, and if I hadn't felt bombarded by the waiter to order a slice of vegan cake (he asked about 4 times), my first time would have been 5-star worthy. My second visit was good, but not quite as great-although I was quite hungover and it was my birthday so expectations were high. I had a bloody mary (thumbs up) and, after reading all the reviews, the chicken fried steak. I will agree with everyone else and say that this is a meal made in veg heaven. and you dont even have to be a veg to love it. The mac and cheese was so-so...kinda bland and not well reheated. Service has always been friendly yet average, and I love the giant booths. Very spacey and fairly private.
(4)
lauren b.
So after my first visit to Vita I was so excited about this place. It really was amazing. The first time. Worth 5+ stars. Upon returning (and getting the same thing) a few times, it is clear to me that it it's worth three. The wine is good. The veggie lasagna (the first time) was incredible and then went downhill. The service blows for the most part to be quite honest. My most vivid memory of vita was the wait. Waiting on water, waiting on wine, waiting waiting waiting. The servers were ok I guess, but more on the normal snotty portland end of things. I really wanted to love this place. If the service was a bit better and the food more consistent, it would be so much better. I brought my dog one of the last times which was cool, only to be turned away because they decided randomly to close early. It's definitely not the best veggie/vegan place around, but it's decent. It's worth giving it a whirl.
(3)
augustus B.
The Vita is aways a good bet. I give the points for consistency and service. A few people have remarked on the way the servers look. If you want abercrombie zombies, go to the pearl...This is a vegan/vegetarian friendly place in alberta, what did you expect? That being said, i don't care if the staff starts wearing bones through their noses, the service here is ALWAYS on point. Maybe if some people weren't total eff- faces, the people at vita would treat them better. I always get a good recommendation and a smile, so i dont think you can believe everything that people say. Anyway, the food is good, the service is great, and there is never a long wait. The only thing to be weary of is the deserts. Ask how fresh they are and buy accordingly, and you're all set. If you're on the winning (vegan) team, break bread here, you will enjoy the meal
(4)
pongo p.
duuuddeee! we used to live in tacoma, wa and took the trip to pdx a few times a year and we always stopped here or the sister restaurant, paradox. their chicken fried steak (vegan) is the best i've ever had. their nachos are incredible.
(4)
Elizabeth O.
I love the Vita Cafe (across the street from its old location). It's got a little bit of everything - and you can't help but enjoy the cool decor. I would recommend this place for all ages. There's a toy box and high chairs for kids. There's a bar for adults. And the menu suits everyone. Try the salmon cakes - they're delicious! I'll definitely be going back to the Vita Cafe.
(5)
Wendy C.
Why do I always find great patios at the tail end of summer? Arrrgh! Friend had a gift certificate for Vita Cafe she'd been trying to unload for a year, so we met up with small children in tow to cash that sucker in. First, had no idea how child-friendly the patio was. Even the bocce ball court, if you can reinforce the "balls are for rolling, not for throwing" rule, is pretty good entertainment. Families were hanging out at the big picnic tables and everyone seemed very sociable. Just a good neighborhood vibe - small child even saw a buddy from school there. Second, completely spacey service. Wait staff wandering around not doing much. Bread brought out like 20 minutes after salad had been consumed. Things randomly added to and left off the bill. Third, food was decent. I had a tomato and basil salad with fried chickpeas and immediately demanded that everyone at the table try a fried chickpea. So good! All the other food got an "eh, it's fine" reception. Vita's focus on organic/sustainable/vegan even carries over to their tidy little wine and beer list. Finally, cheapskate that I am: Kids eat for $1 every day from 5-7pm! ALSO: adults can get a $5 dinner AND a $2 cocktail on Wednesdays during the same hours. Next summer, I'm totally camping out here.
(4)
neil o.
love this place. at dinner i had lasagna - half red sauce and half pesto since i couldn't decide - and it was all wonderful. breakfast burrito is also fantastic, as is the italian scramble. herb onion toast is great. no complaints.
(5)
Rachel J.
The first time I ate here I went with my omnivorous boyfriend and our vegan friend, and we ordered up a delicious feast, complete with vegan desserts. Everybody left sated and happy.
(5)
April B.
the service wasn't that great (slooooooooooow), but I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and it was amazing. brown gravy, of which i am normally not a fan, and a tall homemade biscuit. mmmm good. and for dessert--vegan mint chocolate cake. i can't wait to go back and try other menu items. i wish it was closer to my house.
(4)
Jeffery F.
I love their food. I bring my omnivore friends with me and they love it as well. I recommend their specials and soups. Nice friendly service with great cocktails. Should be a staple for any vegetarian.
Went back again and same story. Pretty terrible service - if they bother to stop by at all. I got a soup and it was pretty terrible. Overcooked veggies and some cheese that smelled like it went rank. Left with a terrible stomache ache and didn't even finish the food. With a MILLION other vegetarian places in town - there are SO many better options out there. Vita burned down once, I can only hope something closes it down for good. I know I'll never go back and never recommend it.
(1)
Will S.
This was my last meal for my first visit to Portlandia. The food was fresh and excellently prepared. I played it safe and ordered meat, my brother ordered off the vegan menu and I'll be damned if his food wasn't better than mine!! I'm usually highly critical of vegan fare, but he ordered a special and it was delicious- it left me regretful that I hadn't embraced the true nature of this place. Their beer list was great for such a small family oriented restaurant (I discovered that all of Portland has great taste in Beer!). When I return to Portland I want to revisit this place and explore more it's vegan/vegetarian dishes.
(4)
Nik R.
I've got a list of dietary restrictions that make eating out an exercise in futility most days: gluten, dairy, and nightshades. Not so when visiting Vita; there are enough options that I'm often found taking my time, wondering what to eat, instead of giving up and ordering the salad (after making sure that all the additives are acceptable) or just getting something to drink. The waitstaff are generally cheerful folk, and it's become a regular hangout and place to get something very like quality fast food -- in that food is usually served quickly, is piping hot, and tastes delightful, while being reasonably priced! The only downside is that it's .so. good that the place is often filled to the rafters with parents and their noisy children, and finding a seat can be a futile effort. Since moving to the new space, Vita has expanded their interior, but sadly lost the outdoor seating which was so dear to my heart. It's also fairly poorly lit, and noise carries a long way, often making it clamorous. That said, I love me some Vita, and look forward to grabbing another vegan gluten-free chicken fried steak next time I'm up in PDX.
(3)
Kayarrhea P.
Pro: Buffalo Tofu Wrap. Mindblowing. The perfect lunch. Pro: Seitan Fajitas. They're vegan and come with a terrific cilantro-lime sour cream sauce, peppers, onions, beans, rice. Pro: VEGAN CAESAR. Wish they sold bottles of this dressing, it was shocking. Pro: Philly Cheesesteak - had this a long time ago but even my meat-eating bf loved it. Con: No sister store in Southeast.
(5)
Kevin S.
The Philly cheese steak was crazy good. The faux turkey florentine was good but tangy. The biscuits and gravy were pretty bad. The "fish" and chips was pretty good. Over all a pretty good vegan place, but Portland has better.
(3)
Stanley T.
And my 100th review goes to... Vita Cafe. After perusing many Yelp reviews, I had pretty much decided to order the chicken fried "steak". My only real concern was that at least one reviewer opined that the almond gravy was too salty (a major pet peeve of mine), but that was not the case. The gravy was amazing! We're wondering if the stuff is available by the quart. The mashed potatoes were fine. The chicken fried "steak" was the tastiest tempeh dish I've ever had. Crispy coating (yeah, how do they do that?), just right combination of moisture, texture and flavor within. I had a cup of the soup of the day: spicy tomato fennel. While it was closer in texture to a marinara sauce, the flavor worked for me. And the herb-onion bread accompaniment was yummy. Topped it off with a couple of glasses of Parducci Cab Sauv. Happiness. My wife had the seitan fajitas. I only tried a piece of seitan, which was very good. Overall, I don't think her meal was up to the level of mine - could certainly have used more in the way of vegetables - but, hey, I'm reviewing mine here. Service was very good. Ambiance was kind of tacky, but who really cares? Several more things on the menu I'm looking forward to trying.
(4)
Beth C.
So, my lovely brother has been living across the country for me for a while. What does this have to do with Vita? Well, when I miss him I go to places that he likes. On my trip here I went with my DH, MIL, and my hunny's grandparents. (Norma and Roy are in their late 80s.) We had no trouble getting seated right away and we decided to go with a hummas plate to start. It was good stuff. Not too much, not to little. I ordered the buffalo "chicken" wrap. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I loved the sauce. It was well done with good textures and crispness. Norma had the lasagna. I am not a fan of mushrooms but everyone at the table liked it. My hunny had the spicy shrimp thai pasta. Cleaned his plate. We all shared some fries. I can't remember what my MIL or Roy ordered but we really enjoyed the food. The things that I didn't like. The staff has zero charisma. I like to be nice and friendly to people I interact with. The staff here was blah. No amount of politeness or silly jokes could get them to crack smiles. It made me feel like I was not welcome. The seating in the booths is NOT COMFY!! You are sitting on plywood with 90 degree angled backs. My butt hurt when we left. I will be back. I just will sit in a chair and hopefully get someone with pizazz.
(4)
Ben F.
Service here is bad, easily some of the worst I've had in Portland. You want to experience that aloof hipster attitude people love to complain about? Go here. Waited 30 min on a Saturday for a counter seat for brunch. The wait was pretty average for a popular brunch place. Took a good 10 min for someone to acknowledge our presence after being sat, which is inexcusable considering we were sitting right in front of all the servers at the counter. Finally got an order in, waited another 30+ min for our food to arrive, all the while watching the parties on either side of us, who were sat and ordered quite some time after us, get their food. The food itself was boring and under seasoned. The almond gravy I had heard so much about was like a bland gluey paste. The chicken sausages were pitifully small. Again back to the service, it was horrible. The woman who served us was cold and aloof, never once apologizing for the ridiculous wait on our food or even checking in on us once the order was placed. Keep in mind she was 3-5ft away from us nearly the entire time puttering around behind the counter doing busy work. Vita Cafe = Fail.
(1)
Madhu R.
Fresh food and great outdoor area. Big portions for not that much money. Service can be hit or miss. Hit (if you get the cooky waiter with dreds and sleeve tatoos who's sortof like Tommy Chong), or miss (if you get the waiters/waitresses with fewer tatoos and who are "too cool" to be friendly).
(4)
Evelyn M.
I can't believe I haven't already written a review for Vita Cafe. To start with the Bloody Mary is per-fect:spicy and delicious with any meal. What do I love to eat here? the vegan club!!! the reuben!!! ahhhh the "fishwich" !!! the seitan cheese steak!!! biscuits and gravy! The fresh cut fries are real and crispy and generously portioned-I ask for a side of veganaise when I'm not feeling like ketchup. One thing though, my companion had a burger once and was sorely disappointed. Too bad. I've only been for lunch but look forward to trying brunch and dinner. I suspect I'll have a hard time choosing among the wide variety on the menu.
(4)
Jens J.
PDX sure seems to be a town of weekend early risers! We drove over to Alberta for breakfast before nine this Saturday morning only to find people already waiting for tables at Helser's and Tin Shed. JP is now leery of trying places unless they have been checked out on Yelp first, but I said "Pshaw, let's try Vita Cafe since it is not crowded." C'mon, gotta have a sense of adventure! We proceeded into the restaurant after passing by a fenced outdoor eating area overgrown with weeds and ratty lawn furniture. We were told to sit anywhere. We likes that! Our waitress brought us some yummy smooth rocket fuel-injected Holler Mountain Stumptown Coffee. I could jog from here to Chicago and back again on that stuff. It wasn't until we saw the menu we saw this was a Vegan restaurant. And that's fine, because we have had some very good experiences with Vegan (Papa G's in PDX and Hillside Cafe in Seattle). We both ordered the "chicken"-fried steak ($8.50). JP had the roasted red potatoes with his and I had the brown rice. Either way it was very good and very filling. Gravy was seasoned perfectly. JP also ordered "apple sausage". I really couldn't tell that the sausage was not bona fide meat. However, its seasonings were a little overwhelming. I had a Mexican corn pancake ($3.50). The Mexican corn pancake came with salsa, gauc and a white mayo-ey dipping sauce that was sheer heaven. I told our waitress how much I loved the dipping sauce and that brought a toothy grin to her face. She told us the "sour cream" was made from tofu and chives. Some other menu items: "burgers", soups, salads, Reuben sandwiches, scrambles, "mac & cheese" and Thai pasta. No dessert items though! Note too that Wednesday is their specials night with $2 well drinks, $2 drafts and $5 cocktails (I did see Tangeray on their booze rack, but no Cointreau). Only real minus was that the service was rather slow (not the waitress but the kitchen). But I did notice that another cook and waitress started their shifts about a half hour after we got there.
(4)
Orianne G.
Vita Cafe is a very Portlandy place. The booths are made out of plywood and the lights are made out of mason jars. They have tons of vegetarian/vegan options but also quite a bit of meat. Almost everything I've eaten here has been incredibly delicious. The buffalo tofu wrap is devine, and the vegan club sandwich is simply scrumptious. Of the many dishes I've ordered (and the many I've sampled from my boyfriends plate) there are only a few I wasn't wild about. My least favorite have been the "chicken" fried steak and the supergrain salad with the lemon tahini dressing. Oh! I almost forgot the thai coconut soup! THAT is something you have to try. The hipster people that work there are quite friendly, which is refreshing in a town where vegan restaurants are full of judgmental douche bags. In summary, the people are nice, the decor fun, and the food is delish- What more could you ask for?
(4)
Ravyn S.
We love Vita Cafe ... We venture out to NE Portland a few times a month just to eat here. I love that their small-ish menu has so many great options for vegans/vegetarians/gluten-free people. There's typically a little bit of a wait, but once we're seated, the service is great and fast. My favorite item on the menu is the vegan nachos ... closely followed by their vegan caesar salad.
(4)
Kiki S.
First things first, if you've never been here there's a coffee shop - Caffe Vita - about a block and a half away. I didn't realize this on my first visit and walked down Alberta with a sad face until I found the actual cafe. This place is great for vegans, vegetarians and the gluten-free. They have meat-eating options, too, but I don't think they're quite as outstanding as their sans-options. And hey - that's cool with me. There are plenty of amazing places for me to go gnaw on a hunk of meat at, it's about time the alternatives got some rockin' good service, too. My husband is gluten-free and one of his main gripes is visiting a restaurant that will happily turn an order GF by removing any bread, toast, etc. but still charge him the full price, despite the fact that he's getting less. At Vita Cafe, they replace any side of bread with a corn muffin. And it seems like at least 50% of the menu, if not more, is capable of being made GF, too. The fries are fat and crispy. The lemonade comes in a mason jar. The windows are big and the staff is always friendly. We got much love for Vita.
(4)
Sheena H.
Tasty vegan eats at this place. My personal favorite was the supergrain salad with the carrot ginger dressing. The nachos were okay, wasn't stoked on the chili bean decision, though. The service was a bit to be desired. Our server didn't check back, had to help ourselves to get utensils and napkins, and our water wasn't offered to be refilled at all. So to sum up, the food was a thumbs up, the service, well, not so much.
(3)
Rene G.
I had the Buffalo Wrap, fries and a side of mac & cheeze. The wrap was spicy and yummy, fries were crispy and home-made, and the mac & cheeze was a little bowl of awesome! They carry Stumptown Coffee which is also a real treat. I dig this spot alot.
(4)
Hilary B.
The vegan, veggie & gluten-free selections are great at this newly located restaurant. I have always been a big fan of the corn cakes, scrambles and sandwiches. Vita's new home brings a bit more (indoor) seating and increasingly surly service. The last few visits I have experienced less-than-pleasant servers but the food keeps me coming back. I hope they are able to get that 4th star on the way with some simple changes with their FOH staff.
(3)
Aimee L.
Haven't been here in years so decided to try their breakfast as I'd never had it, as I was craving a good vegetarian breakfast . It was pretty quiet for a holiday morning where there were lines at most places, so nice to get in and get a seat. The Thai Corn Cake was ok - couldn't taste the ginger at all and ended up using the coconut syrup provided to give it a bit of flavor. It's literally the size of one giant pancake, so you don't want to order much more - I'd recommend they make a couple of 'silver dollar' size cakes and serve it with fruits and/or veggies as this got pretty boring after a while to eat with not as much flavor as it could have. I love the idea though so my suggestions are only to make it better! Got a side of fruit which was 90% pineapple and red grapes, and a tasteless fig (sad face). So, I was underwhelmed. Wasn't awful but coulda been better. Service was A-OK as well.
(3)
Eric P.
Great place for vegetarians and non-vegs (like me) alike! The buffalo tofu wrap is everything everyone else has proclaimed it to be. The fries are great too, and the side order could feed a small army. I've had the Fishwich (standard fried fish sandwich with tofu instead of fish) and a Seitan Cheese Steak, both were good, but not as good as that buffalo wrap. I'll have to update this review once I've had a chance to try the breakfast.
(4)
Sara S.
MORNING POTATOES WITH ALMOND GRAVY. You have not truly experienced all that is the Vita until you've tried the morning potatoes with almond gravy. Also, the Country Comfort platter is very good, I highly recommend it. The waitresses always snicker when I order a Kaliber, though. Maybe it's an inside joke- I don't care, I'll drink my non-alcoholic beer at noon, thank you. ;) I have yet to venture into the dessert case, (usually I have stuffed myself beyond fathomable limits), but one of these days... that toasted coconut cake and I will have a serious confrontation.
(5)
Mal C.
I'll start by saying that I'm not vegetarian or vegan. If that were the case, then I'd probably be raving about this place too. I have to say that I LOVED the corn cakes. They were freaking awesome! The eggs and bacon I know are from local, sustainable, organic farms, but they didn't really stand out for me. The cons are the prices are pretty steep - I guess that's what you pay for local, sustainable, organic farm goods (e.g. $3.50 for bacon)? The service was really slow - I thought they were biking to the farm to get the ingredients... that would be very Portlandia. I'd go back though... for the corn cakes!
(3)
Hargobind K.
Man this place is awesome! I've been a vegetarian my whole life and so it was thrilling the first few times I came here to have so many awesome menu items to choose from. Not only that, but almost everything here is delicious! I'm a huge fan of their Buffalo Tofu Wrap, their Fishwich, and their Sloppy Biscuit Sandwich. They always seem to be semi-busy, no matter what time of morning or night. Sometimes there's a wait, but it never seems to be more than 10 minutes. There are 4 huge booths that can accommodate 6-8 people easily. They have Wifi too, and great music playing over the speakers. I've stopped here many times to work on my laptop, and all the servers are friendly and fine with you being here. I'm still getting to know the Portland restaurant scene, but so far this place is definitely in my top 5!
(5)
Jesha M.
So far I've only come here for breakfast (albeit at 9am or 2pm) and the food is always good and consistent, maybe because I always order the same thing. The service is nothing to thrive about but there are a few staff members who seem to moderately enjoy their job. The food is pretty good and the selection is pretty awesome. The mason jar lights above the bar are pretty cool too.
(4)
Brandon T.
The veggie chicken fried steak is delicious and this time around the gravy was actually pretty good. Today they had a special on pecan, strawberry and banana corn cakes and I wish I knew how to make those things on my own because they were delicious, I should have gotten two! I still hold firm on the light bulb thing. This place prides itself on being environmentally friendly and even donate to organizations in the community yet they still use incandescent light bulbs. Just upgrade to CFLS or LEDs or something.
(4)
Yolanda Y.
Yummy vegan burritos, perfect for brunch. They've got a bunch of beers to choose from and they make cocktails. This was my first meal in Portland, and it set me off to a good start. I think the service could be faster, but I imagine there were a lot of other hungry people like me who also needed their food. If you're looking for events around town, towards the back by the restrooms there is a table and a bulletin board of things going on in the community.
(4)
mister k.
I've got a lot of vegetarian food festivals under my belt, but this year I made it to Portland's VegFest for the first time. I was comforted by the sight of the usual food samples. Picture tiny, imperfect squares of vegan cheese on toothpicks, plastic cups of juice with hemp protein powder mixed in, and lots of cultish rainbow packaging. When we walked up to the Vita Cafe table, I thought I'd stepped through a portal into someplace where the rules had been changed and the game had been upped. Way upped. I couldn't believe it when I was handed a perfectly conceived bite on a skewer: a round biscuit followed by a sausage meatball sitting in a puddle of gravy and garnished with herbs and scallions. Hello! We decided to take it as a sign when the stars aligned and the Yelp app on my Google phone suggested Vita Cafe, and did not regret it. My wife remembered that all I'd been wanting to find was some fancy lemonade, and the sweet server offered up a prickly pear lemonade in a mason jar with a lemon garnish. Ahhhhh. I also got to steal sips of the Rogue Hazelnut Brown they had on tap. I'll be honest, I make a pretty mean almond gravy at home and I'm often disappointed by the vegetarian glue served up at many restaurants. I am always afraid things will go terribly wrong when I order. I decided to go for the chicken friend steak served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The "steak" being made of tempeh was another chance for things to go terribly wrong, but every bite was delicious. I did give up a few bites in trade for some of my wife's buffalo tofu wrap, which was full of pretty incredible flavor. All that and the bill only came to $23? If only we had room for dessert. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)
Kimmy K.
This place is great from the vegan to the meat eater. No matter what your taste, make sure to get the buffalo things. I could eat a whole plate myself. And your plate, too. Yes, they are that good. They have a great all night happy hour with cheap food plates on Wed nights.
(4)
Manda B.
Dammit I love this place. I would've givin it 5 stars but the vegan bloody mary's are too expensive for what you get. Country comfort - ohmahguhhhh.... so good. Savory tofu, perfect potatoes, biscuit & almond gravy and veg sausage = heaven on a plate ya'll. Clean, cool paintings, good beers on tap, crazy amounts of vegan options and great atmosphere. I heart Vita Cafe.
(4)
Rosetta S.
Just okay. I've had better elsewhere, flavors were lacking. Tried 6 dishes. "Fish sticks" were just battered tofu, without flavor, fries were blackened, "ranch" dressing chalky, vegan cheese gross. But their thai coconut soup was delicious. Boring, but not awful food.
(2)
Jeremy D.
I've dropped in here 3 times now. The first time was late on Easter Sunday. The place was empty, but the staff stayed around to serve me. With no one else in the place, service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the BLT and it was probably the best BLT I've ever had. This first visit probably raised the bar a bit too high because the last 2 visits have been lacking considerably... I returned the following week on a Thursday. The place was probably half-full and the "please wait to be seated " sign was up. I was acknowledged quickly, but after 15 minutes,of not being seated, I left. I decided to give them one more shot for lunch today. I arrived shortly after 11, and it was "seat yourself " quiet. It took at least 5 minutes to get my water and order an iced tea. It took another 10 minutes for anyone to take my food order and that only because I flagged a waitress down. I ordered the BLT and a side salad. It took at least another 15 minutes for the BLT. Seriously, guys, this is bacon, lettuce and tomato. Not only that, but they didn't even bother to bring me the salad first. Refills on the ice tea were slow and infrequent and the bill was snuck onto my table without so much as a thank you or goodbye. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a malnourished bearded gay hipster vegan that frequents a place like this, but I deserve better service. If that damn BLT wasn't so awesome, I'd never go back.
(2)
Gina H.
The food here is good! I love the vegan and veggie options. The cost isn't too bad. I have never had bad service there and the wait is never that long. I will be coming back to this place (and I love taking friends from out of town there).
(4)
Puanani L.
Just a hop skip and a jump from our door, i have just discovered the glories of Vita Cafe. Service is friendly and prompt. Atmosphere is casual and funky and laid back. It feels cozy. I am a fan of the Multi-Grain Salad. I wake up mornings thinking about it. Everything was fresh and quickly prepared. Late one evening, we took a walk to pick up some sweet treats and french fries, their french fries are GREAT. The sweets were fresh and tasty and gosh, everyone is just so nice.
(4)
Jeremy H.
We love this place. I haven't been impressed by everything, but I do love coming here. The Seitan Cheese Sandy is good, but not like others I've had elsewhere. The Lemongrass Noodle dish I had when I decided to go out on a limb wasn't impressive at all. I was disappointed cuz I LOVE lemongrass. But the buffalo wings. Oh damn, those wings. They are spicy and sexy. Hence, also, the Buffalo Wrap is bombnasty. BOMB. Bombtastic. The Caesar Salad is outstanding. The Coconut Soup is pretty good. The desserts here are amazing! Try the carrot cake. Try the oatmeal cake. Try it. Try it. I'd punch a baby for one right now. The service is friendly, and we haven't had to wait too long ever. There's usually a bunch of people with kids there so it's a good place for children. Ok, that concludes my review because I gotta go eat at Vita. Peace.
(4)
Mark W.
The food was okay, nothing astounding. The service however was utterly terribly. I sat waiting for my friend getting more and more depressed at the "music" that was being blared out of the speakers. Full volume pop music that I have expected at a 7-11. The place was filled with couples, all trying to have a conversation but needing to raise their voices to be heard over the pumping bass. When my friend arrived (she had been sitting in Cafe Vita..seriously, whats that about?) she immediately asked the waitress if she could please turn down the music. I'm English, overtly polite, so that didn't ever occur to me. The waitress sniffed and left - the music was turned down a tiny amount. After trying to converse over what utterly sounded like Kesha, my friend asked if it was possible to change the station so something a little less taxing on the ears. The waitress replied, "We like this music." Previously I have worked as a server and I find it rather astounding to receive that reply. Not a single customer looked like the type that would enjoy the type of music that was blaring over the speakers - at full volume again. Will definitely not be back.
(1)
kelly s.
I don't find this place very impressive. Their service has always fumbled my order, and taken a while. When I have ordered egg items, they come out burnt. I felt like one of their only redeeming qualities was their cute location, but now they are in a cheesy new location across the street. It's like a slightly less fresh and tasty cup and saucer. -The good, they are very gay friendly, not that most places in portland aren't, but I always feel comfortable here.
(3)
Adam B.
Vita Cafe did me right for all three meals I ate there: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was always able to sit down right away and the service was prompt and responsive. It's a no thrills atmosphere inside, and I like Kedar D's description, "a rustic diner." Everything my wife and I ate we enjoyed. A highlight was the breakfast burrito. Rather unassuming on the menu, I was surprised by the behemoth I was served. The huevos rancheros was also a plentiful helping of pure deliciousness. We ate everything vegan style. The buffalo wrap and flamin tempeh dish were on target for flavor and portion size too. Based on my three visits, the service and cooking was consistently great at Vita, and I have no hesitancy in recommending them.
(4)
Shana G.
It's so hit and miss. Typically what I have found is that the food is somewhat good and the service is atrocious.
(2)
Kerri H.
Vita is a great place to go on Alberta. They have a new location, and I'm sorry to see that outdoor area go!! :( The new location had front windows wide open, we'll see how that goes when hot, hot weather gets here. Things I love about Vita: great menu for vegans and carnivore's alike. And the way they tease you with the dessert case as you walk in the door. Those desserts are scrump-deeeliecious!!!! Things I can do without: fruit flies in my (otherwise fresh) drinks, and the smell of dirty dishwater after they clean a table. Service is always great, and it is well worth any wait on those busy days.
(4)
D. B.
Love this place! Home-style, comfort food, vegan heaven. Order half the menu and share. Delicious!
(5)
Jenn C.
Disclaimer: I am a carnivorous carnivore who is willing to step over to the dark side for the sake of vegetarian friends. So when my co-worker, freshly back from Hawaii was seeking some NW fare for the veggiesaurus within him I started searching for someplace I had never been. Insert Vita Cafe. Fresh on (that's right it's still going...) a bloody mary kick I ordered theirs to see how it competed with the Observatory (both use wasabi instead of horseradish). Observatory takes that one for flavor and price (Observatory is $7 for a 10oz and Vita is $8 for a kerr jar). Fresh on a stress-binge eating spree I decided I wanted to take the high road and eat something good for me. I ordered the super salad with quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants and a house made lemon tahini dressing and the soup de jour, a southwest veggie (which I think came in the form of a chili). They also have a house made bread that was fantastic. Servings were generous and the service was great too. All in all it was delish for a meat free meal that came in with a pricetag of $16.50 with a mary. I'd go back for sure with or without a reason to eat a meat free dish.
(4)
Tommy T.
Mmmm so many vegan options. The Vita is a great standby that's been on Alberta before most of the hip places were there. The prices aren't that steep and food is fresh. The service is friendlier than other reviewers make it out to be and the place is clean. It's nice that you can get a soup/ salad or a greasy vegan burger at the same place.
(5)
Karin H.
Good food, but wow the service was extremely slow and not friendly.
(2)
Ryan P.
It's a good sign when you go somewhere on a Wednesday night, an hour before it closes and it's still quite busy. Vita Cafe was like that and with good reason. My usually quite critical over vegetarian and vegan food and their menu is among the best I've had. A great selection of American, pasta, and Thai. Their Chicken Fried Steak was unbelievably tasty. I would drive back down there just for that.
(4)
john j.
I judge a restaurant based on their blue cheese dressing, and Vita passes. I dream about being dipped in it. Or having someone else dipped in it so I can lick it off them. Cute decor, and lots of veggie options so you don't feel like a second class citizen.
(5)
Sarah S.
We went to Vita Cafe for brunch. I was impressed by the variety of menu options. I couldn't decide! As a vegan, this isn't an experience I have all too often. While the breakfast items look similar to other veg restaurants, they did set themselves apart. They are not stingy with the gravy! I'll admit, for weekend brunch I am basically looking for a gravy vehicle. So don't give me a lot of biscuits with a dollop of gravy. Two ladles of gravy and one biscuit is the ideal, and I feel like Vita achieved that! Go gravy!
(4)
Ann M.
In our hometown, there are about four restaurant entrees I can order if I want to have a vegan meal I didn't cook, and half of those require me to ask for modifications. So I'm like a kid in a candy store when a restaurant is predominantly vegan. In order to blunt the pain of actually having to choose, I had the soup and salad combo with the Thai coconut soup and the supergrain salad. The soup was nicely flavored and creamy, but with a bit more body than a Tom Yum with coconut milk added. I didn't ask, but perhaps the soup incorporated some pureed legumes? The supergrain salad was comprised of black and white quinoa, baby greens (including some fresh herbs), red pepper slices, lovely smoked pepitas, and guacamole. The standard choice is between lemon tahini dressing and carrot ginger. I chose the latter, and it was lovely. The combo comes with the onion herb bread, which was easily the tastiest bread I have ever consumed. Ever. My husband ordered the pesto lasagna, which he enjoyed, and which was slathered in a terrific amount of pesto sauce. It was served with a salad on the side, which looked rather basic, but fresh and good. Our son is twelve, and he is making a heroic effort to expand his culinary horizons after a lifetime of preferring plain peanut butter sandwiches. He ordered the Italian pasta--rotini noodles with crushed tomatoes, vegan sausage, and kale. It was a simply prepared dish, and he enjoyed it. Our server was sweet and efficient, but not smothering. My one complaint would be that the music was just a touch too loud. We're all relatively soft-spoken, and it was a tiny bit hard to converse. We would definitely return.
(5)
Pam M.
Shame on me for coming here for a special birthday. While the service started out friendly it quickly disappeared after our food arrived. The staff seemed disorganized and unable to check on us at any point to offer a second drink, bill or perhaps a piece of birthday cake. After I flagged someone down I asked for a bill and piece of cake. When it arrived I mentioned I was hoping to have it there, but had to get two toddlers home who were near melt down point (after promising cake for the past two hours) I was told "well we are busy" - ouch!
(2)
L. R.
Not much to say except Iove it, vegan friendly, staff friendly as can be and food outrageously good!
(5)
Ashley G.
I tried the Seitan Fajita Platter tonight... it was a very ample meal for $10.95... came with a sizzling platter of seitan, peppers and onions (I nixed the mushrooms in my order). I got a whole separate plate with 4 or 5 corn tortillas, guacamole, vegan sour cream (sort of), brown rice, salsa and chili beans. It's a lot of food. I was hoping to LOVE this dish but I just liked it. Actually the seitan fajita part was great...praise seitan! The vegan sour cream was sort of watered down, not so fond of it. The guacamole came mostly with a giant hunk of hard fork bending avocado (when I tried to smash it), but the waitress brought me some more guacamole when I asked. I would've rather had just plain beans over the chili beans (the taste was a bit much combined with the fajitas). I'm sure I will end up back at Vita again with vegan friends. I might order this dish again. I'm sort of inclined just to get a basket of fries, which seems to be the one thing I really like there.
(3)
Suzie J.
I have been meaning to try out this restaurant located on Alberta for close to 6+ months. I had the opportunity to go just the other night. As you can see from a lot of my reviews with food, I love noodles...I adore them! I decided to go with the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which consisted of a variety of veggies (cauliflower, red and green cabbage, red peppers, kale, mushrooms,etc) in a lemongrass, ginger broth accented with cilantro. You could definitely taste the lemongrass. I wanted this dish to be bottomless - fabulous dish! My friend had the Savory Seitan Stew. It was homemade seitan and veggies served over vegan mashed potatoes. For someone who is not vegan, I tried a bite of the dish and thought it was great as well. It's good to try dishes that you wouldn't normally have at home. If you are around the Alberta district, I would strongly suggest that you try out the Vita Cafe. One place you'll continue to come back to. I know that I will!
(4)
Calvin E.
Since moving to Portland over 2 years ago, this place has become one of my favorite places to eat. I truly enjoy going somewhere and being able to eat everything on the menu. It is heaven. I have tried a good majority of the menu, and while not everything is vegan bliss, it is usually quite tasty and filling. Yes, it is a tad on the pricey side, but I feel the ability to not have to search out food I can actually eat is worth it. My favorites are the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and the Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken Fried Steak. Both delicious and super filling. Also, the raspberry apple cider is my all time favorite fruit beverage. My only real serious gripe with this place is some of the servers tend to act annoyed that they have to do their job. I'm sorry if I need another drink, but I am a lush who is more than happy to tip, if treated with respect. Get over yourself.
(4)
jeni s.
came here for the first time and made the difficult decision to order the buffalo tofu wrap. my companions ordered some of the other things i wanted so i tried a bit of the reuben and the super grains salad too. everything was super yummy, but the fries were surprisingly good. they tasted like homemade french fries, but crispier (though still thick and potatoey on the inside). within 2 days i was craving to go back and get the buffalo tofu wrap again. i'm so excited about this place. good job folks.
(4)
Anthony D.
I've visited this place a number of times over the past 6 years or so. I appreciate the number of vegan options - the food has generally been great. The staff, not so much. I've found them often to be inattentive, and this past week when I was in one was wearing a cutoff skirt so short that her ass cheeks were hanging out above her torn fishnets. In a proper context I'm all for scantily-clad women, but at lunchtime in a restaurant that purports to be family-friendly?
(3)
Lena W.
I am neither vegan nor vegetarian, but I am a fan of both the vegan and vegetarian food that Vita Cafe has to offer. For those who can't bear to eat without meat, they have food with meat and cheese in it as well, so there really is no excuse to not try this place out. Their Mac and "Cheese" is really addicting, and their vegan burger (I added cheddar cheese to mine) had one of the best vegan patties I'd ever tasted. Yum! This place has such a hip-yet-down-to-earth vibe that it's impossible to feel stressed while dining, and just to complete the Portland signature, the coffee they serve is Stumptown...complete with your choice of real cream or soy milk.
(4)
M M.
Good vegan comfort food! The service is good. I appreciate the restaurant because I can bring my friends that aren't vegan or vegetarian there to dine without complaint.
(4)
Jana S.
Probably the best Vegan food I've had..granted that has not been much. They have everything from yummy food, great drinks and deserts. My favorite, by far, is the buffalo wrap. Vegan ranch??? Come on people! That's awesome. I will say that the prices are a bit steep, and I would like to have a side of fries with my burger or wrap. Stay away from the peanut sauce - probably the heaviest ever. Seriously, you might as well take peanut butter and put in on your food. Boo hiss! Overall a good place. Some items on the menu will blow you out of the water, and others blow out of the...you know..other end.
(3)
Brett M.
Vita is the place to go when a) everything sounds good, b) nothing sounds good, or c) you have a large, hungry, picky group. They have a bar, huge booths and intimate tables. It really works for any group and any occasion. The vita menu is deceptively small looking, but packed with choices. Burgers, sandwiches, Italian entrees, Mexican entrees, Southern comfort food - its all here and its all *delicious*. The Pesto Lasagna, Chicken Fried Steak, & Seitan IPA Stew are favorites, but none match the epic Turkey Club. A double decker masterpiece of hot tofurkey, savory tempeh bacon and guacamole on yummy toasted bread. Add a side of vegan ranch and that'd be my death row dinner choice. The appetizers are equally noteworthy and often eaten as meals themselves. The buffalo "wings" (crispy tofu strips - also available with BBQ) are delicious. The vegan nachos are enormous. They have a great selection of beers on tap (HUB!) and awesome happy hour specials on Wednesday. The mac and cheese is hit or miss, but you really can't go wrong with the rest of the menu. Staff is friendly and fast even when the place is packed with noisy, demanding groups (of which I've often been a part). Just a great place to dine on all accounts.
(5)
Michael L.
The last time I went to Vita Cafe, the service was less than stellar. New location, new attitude. The staff were friendly and professional. And prompt. Which is very nice. I could tell that something was new. But on to why we actually came here - food. My wife and I started a gluten-free/dairy-free diet a few weeks ago, for health reasons. Combine that with the Hawthorne Aveda salon for a Mother's Day massage and we have a near-required Vita-Cafe visit. The food has always been good; tonight, it was superb. My wife had the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. I tried some and it was delicious. I had a chili burger (sans bun) and a small Greek salad. Oh.My. Just incredible all the way around. The salad had usual salad fare - lettuce, tomatoes, cukes - but also olives, red onion, olives, red peppers, olives, and a green pesto-like dressing. And did I mention olives? My daughter had the kid's mac and cheese with broccoli and, while *she* didn't like it, I tried it and it was pretty darn good. She might not have liked the texture, which was a little on the gritty side, but it was good. But hey, she's 4 :)
(4)
Kenny H.
The Veggie Reuben Sandwich is THE BOMB. No one makes a better one! Hopworks Beer Washes it down perfectly. The Spicy French Fries are Kick Ass to! One thing I had that was "Meh": The Seitan BLT sandwich was uneventful. Fakin Bacon is where it's at. Just make that at home. People here are way nice as well. Update: Went yesterday night to the recent location. Food was subpar, the server was really rude, the fries were all burnt yet greasy... they ONLY have happy hour on Wed night (WTF?) $4 was pricey for a less than ideal poor of local beer. wha happen?????? I would make this review a 2, but I do not want to lose faith too fast.
(4)
Evil Vegan ..
Please open a Vita Cafe in North Park, San Diego
(4)
Patrick T.
Disappointed this lunch visit, but will definitely be back to try the other tasty-looking items on the menu...my experience this visit: I ordered the mac n cheese with chili. I assumed the chili would be on the side not mixed in throughout the bowl...I prefer to manually mix myself so I can compare the individual flavors of the chili and macncheese. With the chili and mac premixed this lunch was relatively uninspiring and the flavor of the mac-cheese-chili mixture just ordinary. I also wasn't hungry hungry and specifically asked how big the bowl of mac was. The response I received left the impression the bowl wouldn't be too big. The portion size was huge and could easily satiate two people. In conclusion, the portion size is great, the pasta cooked perfectly, but because it was premixed it didn't work out as good as I was looking forward to and as good as the other patrons' meals looked and smelled. I'll be back but will ask more specific questions next time.
(2)
Phillip V.
I thought this place was really good. I got some sort of vegan bean soup that was rich, flavorful, and filling. I got some kinda vegan BLT that was great, but my companion's quinoa salad took the cake. I ignored the pretentious party seated next to me, sizing up my order and discussing philosophy. Maybe I was just used to cheap bar food, but I felt like I had to be careful with my spending here.
(4)
Daisy C.
I have been there a couple of times now and they fail to impress. Nice ambiance, but seriously mediocre to bleh food and in true Portland tradition- crappy service. I wouldn't avoid the place, but I am not going to go out of my way to eat there either.
(3)
Kiera H.
I have to lower my review. We went with the vegan Mac and Cheese for the first time tonight and it was not good at all. I am very surprised. $7 for what could have been made with noodles and one of those packets of vegan cheese sauce. We could have made better at home using the cheesy sauce recipe from "How it all vegan." Very disappointing. However, we agreed that if they would have called it "vegan tuna casserole," we would have understood more.
(3)
Ann K.
Date Visited: Sunday 7/20/08 (Lunch) Nine of us decided to have a nice leisurely lunch at Vita Cafe. We were lucky enough to get outdoor seating, though the table was a little too small for all of us and the umbrellas only managed to shade some of us. As organizer of my group, I sacrificed myself to the sun and took a sunny spot. I survived. The food may not be worth the cancer I could get as a result of that sun exposure, but it was pretty darn good. I have never had a regular BLT sandwich in my life, so it seemed weird to have a vegetarian one. I really enjoyed it and if my work computer didn't crash everytime I tried to access the Vita Cafe website, I would tell you more about it. Let's just say that I really enjoyed it and my guests all really enjoyed what they ordered as well, so I have a feeling that you will probably enjoy the food there as well. I plan on going back many, many times and update this pathetically short review. Date Visited: Saturday 9/6/08 (Dinner) It's one of the rare times that I'm kinda glad my original plans fell through. I had to change my rating for this place thanks to this night. I had a 'Chicken' Fried Steak meal that came with mashed potatoes and it was all smothered in an almond gravy. OH MY GOD. It's been over a week since I had it and I'm still craving the darn thing! I want it day after day! I've been having some stomach issues and I distinctly remembered that I was not only terribly energized after eating this meal, but my stomach felt fine! I hope it stays a 5-Star place for me and that it's around for years and years to come.
(5)
January M.
Excellent Bloody Mary. Damn. Even just thinking about it. So so so good. I'd go back for another, but unfortunately I did not dig my meal at all. I ordered the tofurkey Florentine (bacon subbed) so, it was actually eggs benedict. The most perfectly poached eggs, super tasty bacon and fresh spinach were unable to make up for soggy English muffins and chalky coagulated vegan hollandaise sauce. Our plates had obviously been sitting for a while before they were brought to us. Inattentive service became the theme of our meal which took nearly 3 hours to complete. I know what you're thinking, "Portland+Breakfast=Wait" Waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a table to become available is something we've all come to expect. But in my experience, once you sit down, you're taken care of. The place was not full, but our server was no where to be found. I got kind of fed up after a dog (that was allowed in the patio) took a shit right next to our table. It's really unlikely that I'll go back.
(2)
Lizzie V.
Note: I haven't visited their new location, but will very shortly. I went through this faze of being intolerant to just about every food item that had taste and during this time of darkness Vita was a God send. I almost cried the first time I went there. The most amazing vegan nachos ever. I love their Thai corn cakes. I love the H.O.G. H.O.G. 3 / 5 homemade Herb and Onion bread topped with almond Gravy I love the price, I love the portions. I love that you can order half sizes. I love Vita cafe.
(5)
Aleksandra E.
Love Vita Cafe! I'm no connoisseur to vegan dining, but this food is delicious. The fried risotto balls are amazing- ricey on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and the "chicken" fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy... I'm still coming down from that one. Go. Eat well. Be happy.
(5)
Kat L.
Oh, to be vegan in Portland... A veritable smorgasboard of options. I just spent a week here, and this was one of my favorite (of MANY) places that I ate. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on various days, so I got the well-rounded experience. I liked the diversity of choices on the menu, and particularly appreciated the abundance of gravy-slathered home-style options. No surprise... I really liked the chicken-fried tempeh w/ potatoes and gravy. My bf had the mac n' cheese, which was pretty good, but not the greatest. The BLT sandwich was straight-forward but good. They had vegan ranch dressing for the salad, which was pretty sweet. As for my breakfast...Coming from a place where I have to drive far to score vegan breakfast, I was initially stoked on everything in PDX, but I started to get spoiled by the end of my stay. Vita was good, but definitely not the best. My bf got the french toast, which was pretty damn good. I had the country-style breakfast (wooo more gravy!!)... The "scramble" was just seasoned cubed tofu, which was good, but not very scrambley in the traditional sense. The gravy of course was delicious, but the plate came with two biscuits...Must've been from different batches, because one was good while the other was hard and dense as a rock. Oh well. I still give this place 4 stars because I'm easy to please, and overall my friends and I left feeling satisfied every time we ate here. Unfortunately, I was always too full for dessert, which did look quite delicious.
(4)
Brandon R.
I love the Vita Cafe. I've been eating here for about 6 years, and while I've had plenty of less than stellar experiences with the service and food quality, it remains the most consistently dependable vegan restaurant I know of. The staff changes from time to time, and some of them have been a bit less than awesome. But overall, it;s got a great neighborhood feel, and there's something very Portland about the mix of hippie/punk/anarchist/fashion chic people that work here. The menu is so diverse and offers so many vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free and organic food options, it's hard to imagine someone not being able to find something they like here. I've brought many an omnivore to The Vita, and they've all found something they really liked about it. The bicycle themed bar and liquor rack is a definite plus, and the road sign wall hangings and revolving art add a nice cultured flair to the experience. I recommend avoiding the entire Alberta St scene on Saturday and Sundays, especially from 10 to 2, but if you must go, you might be surprised to find the wait at The Vita A LOT shorter than any other hip breakfast joint. The desserts are hit or miss, as Piece of Cake is a large outfit that no longer specializes in Vegan dessert. However, their coconut cupcakes are heavenly, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter will be rich and moist and you might have to share. Bring your friends for dinner and drinks, try any of the daily specials, definitely have the Thai coconut soup and the Buffalo Tempeh wrap!
(5)
Joshua D.
Some of the best Vegan food around! I eat meat and love this place!
(5)
Mark L.
I went to the Vita Cafe on the recommendation of my roommate, who happens to be vegan. I went with two friends who, like myself, happen to be bloodthirsty carnivores. But it worked out in the end--Vita Cafe does have meat on the menu, although it's known for its vegan offerings. It is a hippie haven---beards and long hair and important conversations--but comfortable. I like hippies ... unless they smell weird. I went with the Vita Scramble ($8), eggs loaded with veggies like spinach, onions cauliflower--there were actually more vegetables than eggs. The herb and onion toast was delicious. The side of potatoes was good, too ... very buttery. The wait was long, typical for Sunday breakfast spots in Portland, but we made friends with a group who had just purchased a statue of Gene Simmons' head and bust at a yard sale for $60. It was beautiful. And when they were seated, Gene came along, too, and sat right on the table. We thought about buying him a beer, but Vita Cafe doesn't offer PBR. Sorry, Gene. My only quibble, and it's a very minor one, is that the gent who ended up serving us was a little sassy with us while we waited for our table. Once he realized he'd be serving us, he was very delightful. But he was very nice to Gene, and brought a glass of water for him to lap up. The prices are very reasonable, and I hear the Corn Cakes ($4.50 for one; $7 for two) are quite a treat. The Bloody Marys and Mimosas also looked good. I like the fact that Vita also serves meat, and doesn't make you feel like a pig if you do order it. Meat is murder, but bacon is best ... just ask any vegan/vegetarian about their taboo dreams of wanting to secretly devour a salty pork product.
I want so badly to love this place. Really, I do. It's exactly two blocks from my house and has an outdoor patio that is shaded in such a way as to not force me to look at the street. Their spicy house tea blend is also incredibly good, as is their Buffalo Tofu Wrap. BUT (there is a but), their brunch makes me physically angry. I love brunch. I do. It's a fabulous time of day and is my meal of the week where I eat whatever the fuck I want and chase it with as much coffee as my heart rate can handle. I've been there many times and I never get less disappointed. Why do I still go? (Mostly because I refuse to wait in line at the Tin Shed.) Although the vegetable combinations that they put in their scrambles are tasty (and I am strangely fond of their homemade seitan), the scrambles are not creatively spiced and they USE CUBED TOFU. I'm pretty sure the "scramble" should be a hint to CRUMBLE THE F'N TOFU. To be fair, it's mostly a personal pet peeve. Also, their reubens. I'm a connoisseur of them and I was wholly disappointed in the one I had here. Dry, uninspired, bland. Eventually, when I'm less lazy, I'll stop going here.
(3)
Skylor P.
Ate an awesome breakfast this morning that was so well balanced! Veggies, a corn cake, eggs? yes please. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. As a health coach I was fully satisfied :)
(5)
Briea D.
This place has impressive vegetarian and vegan cuisine that has real flavor. The Thai corn cakes are to die for. The supergrain salad was good, as was the mac and cheese. Good portion sizes. The service was decent, though not stellar by any means. Casual atmosphere perfect for a lazy brunch. Overall, it was worth it.
(4)
Victoria J.
Wow! The "chicken fried steak"? I have never seen a vege-version of chicken fried steak and as it was a specialty of my southern mom's growing up, I HAD to get it.....SO MUCH FOOD!! And Miraculously served with not a speck of grease left from it's deep fried goodness...how do they do that?! I couldn't even finish it and certainly did not have room for any of the amazing cakes we were sitting next too. The plywood booth seating is lame though. With comfort food like that you need something you can really slouch into once the belt notches start loosening
(4)
Spratt M.
Five stars for excellent tofu rancheros with yummy veggies and tasty sauces--tastiness often being the first thing to go whenever veganness is introduced. 3 out of 3 people who had the corn cake loved the corn cake, also. Now, I thought a corn cake was going to be like a crab cake, so I didn't go near it, but it turned out to be a pancake-style deal that comes in 3 different styles, NW being the best (although isn't Vita in the NE? Hmmmm....). Right down the street 'n' around the corner from one of my favorite magazine publishers/feminist enclaves ever, perhaps promoted to favorite magazine publisher ever now that Punk Planet is gone. RIP PP.
(5)
McKenzie G.
Some nights, in Denver, I dream of you. I dream of a place like you with your faux fish sandwich and your homemade mock turkey. Your breakfast bloody marys and your biscuits and mushroom gravy. God, I love you. I can't wait to move back to Oregon to spend time in your sweet wooden booths. I never visit Portland without seeing you.
(5)
Z Z.
Vita Cafe is quite good. The menu has a wide range of vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan dishes. I went there with a group of people and we all liked our food. It is small inside but the booths were quite comfy, there was more than enough room for all of us. Vita is cool inside, funky decorations and artwork. It wasn't too crowded in there although the patio was quite crowded, overall it was just a fun night. I was quite pleased to see that you could order half portions of the soups and salads. I ordered the Mediterranean Platter appetizer which had this thick flavorful hummus serviced with olives, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and toasted pita. It was quite good, I especially enjoyed the hummus, it was delicious. I also ordered a half portion of the Greek salad w/the basil vinaigrette on the side. The salad was quite good, the veggies were fresh and quite crisp. Everything was delicious. Everyone that I was with really enjoyed their food, from what I noticed everyone was a member of the clean plate club that is for sure! We were drooling because the waitress kept walking back and forth to the dessert case in the front with this amazing looking cakes. I was a good girl and didn't get anything for dessert but WOW did they look great. Our waitress was a bit of a space cadet but she did warn us right up front that she was out of it. She was nice enough but was spacey. It is pretty mellow in there so don't be surprised if everything takes a short while to come out and to get your check. Fun place though and great food.
(4)
Clarke W.
Stopped in for breakfast. Had the Faux Tofurkey Florentine & The 2+2+2 with vegan sausage. Its always an interesting experience when trying vegan interpretations of classic breakfast food, let alone hollandaise sauce and sausage, but Vita does it well! The Tofurkey Florentine was creamy and smooth & the vegan sausage in the 2+2+2 was smoky and sweet. They serve vegetarian and vegan fare as well as free range, all natural, hormone free meats and eggs. All local and organic, which seems to be the 'Portland' standard.
(4)
Benjamin B.
Got the vegan chicken fried steak and was greatly impressed. I'm a huge fan of chicken fried steak and they definitely did it right.
(4)
Steal R.
This restaurant is phenomenal! There is such a depth to the menu and so many of the items are just amazing. My fiance and I were heading to a wedding in Hood River, Oregon and wanted to stop at a Vegan friendly restaurant on our drive from the the airport. This was the perfect place. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed and sitting outside was very peaceful. We ordered the Mexican Corncake- awesome, Fries- to die for, and the Vegan Cheesesteak. My fiance ordered the cheesesteak and I ended up stealing half of it. It was made with Satan and it was cooked perfectly and with the perfect spices. We were too full for dessert but vowed to return on our drive back to the airport. And return, we did. This time, we split another sandwich and got the cheesesteak to go. We also ordered the Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake. This was unbelievable. I will travel back to Portland, just to visit this restaurant. I want to move them to San Jose!
(5)
Mark K.
What a great place. I had the "fish" sandwich, which was tofu fried like a fish sandwich and it was GREAT! The atmosphere is nice, the service great, and I just generally appreciate having a vegan restaurant in this part of town. Terrific food!
(5)
Mama L.
Vita seems to be falling apart. They used to have great staff and consistent food, but the past few times I've been there, we haven't had such great food and tonight the service was just bizarre. Our favorite, Vita Chop Salad, was old and gross with giant hunks of raw broccoli (raw should be chopped small, that's why they call it chop salad silly) and wilted lettuce rotting in the worn-out ranch dressing. Needless to say, we aren't getting that again. The portions on the most expensive vegan thing on the menu, the Seitan Fajitas, have been dwindling and they insist on charging extra for a couple of extra tortillas when it only comes with 3. Whatever, I guess it's not a Mexican restaurant. The food tonight was passable except for the Thai pasta with Yuckisobad noodles. The fajitas were delicious as usual. But our waitress was BIZARRE. I've been dieting and was totally psyched to cheat by having a pint of beer, but I really wanted it to be the right one. I LOVE Vita's rotating menu of artisenal beers and how the waitresses always offer a small sample if you are having a hard time deciding. "Red or IPA" I asked myself...HMMMM. My hubby ordered an IPA so I asked to sample the Red. I would be really disappointed if it were sweet. The waitress actually suggested that I sample my friend's beer instead. It wasn't even on the table yet, but she figured she'd just go ahead and invite me to drink out of his glass. I told her he was a hitchhiker I'd just picked up and I would sample my hubby's IPA, the Red and then decide. But you know what, she killed my taste for beer altogether. We were eating with our kid and a friend's kid and we ordered a dish for each of them. They are 4 and 5 respectively and can handily tuck away a plate of rice and tofu. She forgot we had two kids, only brought one order of food, and after apologizing, tried to make it seem like there was something wrong with the kids for not wanting to share. Please leave the parenting to the people with kids and just go ask for more food from the kitchen! At one point I realized I had forgotten to order something for the kids so I walked up to the counter and said so. She just looked at me. So I asked again "Is it okay to still order something, now?" I think 5 whole minutes had passed since our order was placed. I am so sad for Vita!
(2)
Alex K.
Vita Cafe is great place for lunch, or to enjoy a beer and have a solid dinner. They specialize in vegan plates, but also offer some carnivorous delights. Its sort of down home food with a vegan/Portland twist. I live right by it and should frequent more often. The food is good but I'm not enticed by it. Probably because the menu is sort of odd and nothing jumps out and says "Order me. You want to eat me."
(4)
Sara S.
The vegetarian rueben really does live up to the hype. It's awesome. Thick slabs of tempeh smothered in vegan 1000 island dressing and saurcraut. Whether vegetarian or the traditional kind, a rueben isn't the type of sandwich I would order. However, I was told Vita was "known" for it, so I got it and so happy I did. The sandwich was filling, but I didn't feel gross afterwards. I felt like I ate healthy, nutritious food, which energized me and kept me going for the rest of the day. Got a side of fries, only ate two of them. They were very bland. I guess I should have ordered the spicy fries, but I didn't see them on the menu! I like the atmosphere and the waitstaff and patrons are great. I would love to come back and try their breakfast (tofu scramble, yes!), and props for the full bar! I'm sure this place gets to be an awesome time at night, and I will surely be back to experience it.
(4)
joseph f.
First off I should say that it is great having vegan friendly restaurants around, being one myself -- sadly, the food at Vita is so sub-par to awful that it feeds into the stupid stereotype that "vegan food" is terrible. The veggie burger with fakin' tempeh on it was downright terrible and tasted like cardboard. The bun was McDonald's style bland. I don't know how you mess up fries, but ours were pretty unedible -- overcooked and greasy. My wife got the Tempeh Reuben, dry and bland with grocery-style Marble bread. The diner-style Coffe was way overpriced at $1.75. The only soy milk offered was the yucky, flavored kind. On our previous visit we had the mediocre, forgettable seitan-cheesesteak and mac-n-cheese. Not as bad as the food we ordered today, but, again, very underwhelming to say the least.
(1)
Bob M.
Okay so this place has the potential to be a five star vegan spot where you can bring meat eaters. However, the food is slightly inconsistent. The buffalo tofu hot wings if cooked right is amazing. Second time I went they were pretty under cooked and mushy. The vegan philly (seitan) is pretty good. The salmon cakes are decent (only get if you like ginger). The supergrain salad is i nice healthy meal. The best thing I've had is the vegan chicken fried steak-- the almond gravy is delicious. The fries if cooked fully are great skin on fries, but one time I went they were soggy. Wait staff is pretty friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this spot to non meat eaters.
(4)
Erica W.
Yum! The vegan nachos were delicious - really tasty and with fresh guac and yummy salsa. We each got the soup and the Super Grain salad and we loved it. This is vegan food that is tasty and healthy. The menu is not fully vegan and it seemed like lots of folks were enjoying yummy breakfasts. Nice strong coffee. The service was slow but that was because the place was packed and there were only two servers - and one seemed to be doing the entire front half of the restaurant. She was friendly and apologetic and we really didn't mind. The vibe was laid back and there was a mix of people there from an older professional couple to tattooed-20-somethings. No pretense and great food. -1 star for the slow service and bean soup that was a bit too thick, I think my spoon could have stood up in it once it began to cool down.
(4)
Julie V.
We rolled in for breakfast on a Saturday morning around 10:30am. We sat immediately, were attended to instantly, and then mulled over the menu for ages. So much to choose from, so little stomach room. It was nice to have more than two vegan options on a veg menu. Between my husband and I we ordered the chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and a Mexican corn cake. Everything was served hot, looked beautiful, and was flavorful and rich. I appreciated the atmosphere, I can definitely see taking my two kids here. My husband lives in Portland and has eaten here more than I have and has yet to be disappointed. We were going to go back for another meal but remembered they were closing to change locations (moving across the street). I look forward to eating at the new location once I move up to Portland. Inexpensive, delicious food in a family-friendly environment is something I would go out of my way for.
(5)
Jen S.
I'm mostly vegetarian with an occasional tendency toward fish, but I was craving something vegan (or at least partially vegan) today so I headed over to Vita Cafe for the first time. I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this place. Just the thought of vegan gravy made me so happy - I haven't had biscuits and gravy in forever. So I ordered the Country Comfort breakfast for lunch, and alas... Pros: nice staff, pleasant atmosphere, lots of options at lunchtime, two scrambled eggs really was two eggs instead of the massive heap of eggs you get at other diners when you order two eggs Cons: tempeh bacon (too tempeh-y, I prefer Morningstar over their version), almond gravy (too salty and grainy), biscuits (too dense) Could just be my taste though. I'll go back, for sure - they donate 1% of sales to local environmental and social non profits, for one thing, and I'm intrigued by the Mexican corn cakes and many of their dinner dishes. So I look forward to upping the rating soon...
(3)
Abdul I.
The corn cakes are fabulous! My personal fav: Thai Corn. And gotta love the bloody mary!
(4)
Marc H.
Seriously good. After moving back from the east coast, it doesn't take much veg food on a menu to get my attention but this was great. Not only could I eat almost anything on the menu, I bet it is fantastic. I am going back to try it all. This time around I had the seitan fajitas. Never thought to cut really thin slices of seitan for fajitas but I will be trying it at home for sure. Doubt I will match Vita's goodness. The vibe is low-key. It was ~7pm on a Saturday and not busy at all. No wait and a few empty tables. Looks like everybody else was missing out. Not as cheap as it gets but pretty inexpensive. Entrees between ~$7 and $12. Fajitas were like $10 or so.
(5)
Vanessa K.
I think the food is delicious! We had great service. I only wish there were no flies, but I think it was because it was so hot and the windows were open.
(5)
Samantha O.
best thing was the thai coconut soup fries, "fish", ranch dressing, coffee, onion bread were terribly dissapointing.
(2)
Jon S.
Awesome Awesome Awesome. We got into town last night, and this was our first stop. My girlfriend is Vegan and loved everything, and I did too. I'm keeping this short, but the buffalo things rock, as does the ethos of the place.
(5)
Lauren W.
In my last four day stay in Portland I went to Vita Cafe three times! The vegan options are great. Sit down in booth-style seating to enjoy their comfort food! I would especially recommend the breakfast. With options like biscuits with almond gravy, "chicken" fried steak, or fluffy french toast it's hard to go wrong. I'd recommend ordering those potatoes spicy with the Italian tofu scramble- complete with artichoke hearts, olives, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Portions are filling and decently priced. Another plus is the full-bar, with $2 draft pints on Wednesday nights. Oh, and they also have a bocce ball yard, though I've never played there.
(4)
Ann S.
After reading all the reviews about the service here you would think the owners would get on the clue-bus. We almost walked out today as I felt that we were invisible. I did not see a smile on any of the servers faces. It appeared they all needed an attitude adjustment. They were busy, but not harried. They even had time to rest at the counter. The drinking water was rather warm and it was a hot day out, as this is Alberta Street Fair day and spending a couple hours on the hot asphalt one gets hot. The beer was warm as well and the guy just made excuses and made no attempt to fix the problem. Finally my friend said, "just put some ice in it". This is my second visit here and really liked the food both times. Finally one waiter came to our table and made an attempt at service recovery. My friend got a beer in a can and the server said he would take it back if it was not cold. It was fine. He ended up charging us for only one beer so he truly understood service recovery. What he did was saved my review from only giving one star. I may try this place again, but if the service attitude is going to continue like this, there are many other vegan restaurants around.
(3)
Alla S.
Good stuff! The best vegan chicken fried steak that I've ever had! Excellent variety of vegan dishes and dessert!
(4)
mel p.
Double date night and this is where we chose to go without reading reviews before hand. Good idea? Bad idea? We had to wait about 10 minutes on a busy Friday night to be seated. Not bad seeing iv waited up to 45 minutes at some places. Right off the bat though it took a server over 7 minutes to come over and acknowlege that we were in the place and ooohhh so ready to place drink orders. Red wine, some fruity raspberry cocktail,Blue Sky cola and water would do that trick. On to the better part. I had the vegan burger with shrooms and onions. It was great. Homemade id even say seeing whole chickpeas were falling out at one point. I loved it. Next up,Italian pasta with kale,veggie sausage and a few other choice items. It could had been better. I'll leave it at that. Also at the table we had a "real burger please", it was pretty good. Kind of typical but free range, hormone free quarter pound beef makes this a step up in the right direction. Finally sitting across from me was a greek salad with crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion,and olives with basil vinaigrette. I think she added the fried tempeh as well to the salad. Spot on was the term I belived was used on this one. Remember to order fries if you want them,seeing they do not come with the burgers. This palce is getting 3 stars not really for its food. That could had been 4 stars without a doubt. Though it gets 3 stars because the service was lackluster. The waiter never WAITED to fully hear the order before walking away. Man that bugs me. And lastly I ordered fries with my vegan buger and they came out 10 minutes AFTER we were all served our food. Major faux pas. Over all I say it was a good idea going to this place. I'll for sure give it another shot.
(3)
Meredith P.
My favorite time to come here is for dinner. I don't come on the weekends for breakfast because there are too many damn hungry, hungover hipsters, and I don't like to wait 1.5 hours for a table. With that said, come on a weekday night for dinner, and you'll be very pleased. Service: some of the waiters have come off like asses, but some are really nice, so it is probably affected by the mood of the staff on any given day. Food: absolutely best diner Vegan food in Portland. Not too expensive. Ambiance: very nice, I like.
(4)
Zachary L.
I was rather impressed with this place. It was frequently busy, so I figured they must be doing something right and their food definitely conveyed that thought. Out of my whole vegan tour of Portland, this was home of what I believed to be one of the best vegan tempeh sandwiches I've ever had. They even have vegan ranch dressing, which got me pretty excited. The appetizers were also top tier. When I tried their vegan buffalo things I flipped out! There was this one waitress who really impressed me. I said I had a question about one of the local beers and if it contained honey, she said "oh no, it's vegan!" It's knowledge like that which makes customers, especially vegan customers, want to keep coming back.
(5)
Mayte D.
Love this spot! Yum. Been here a few times in the past 5 years or so...can't wait to go back : )
(5)
Marsha Z.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to come back, as there were so many things on the menu I wanted to try. But when you're trying to do the whirlwind veg tour of PDX, it's hard to go back to the same spot twice. Since I doubt I was going to get another shot at this place soon, I went for the favorite: chicken fried steak (deep fried tempeh, with mashed potatoes and almond gravy). While very tasty, dare I say, it was too much "meat" and potatoes for my liking. They shouldn't charge extra for sides; there certainly was enough room on the plate for some greens (or mac and cheese). It really would've balanced out the dish more. All in all, they seemed to be a standard veggie cafe of largely American fare that serves b-fast, lunch, and dinner. Staff were laid back and friendly, prices, reasonable.
(4)
Alicia P.
Close friend decided to become vegan and my first thought, "oh F, there goes going out to eat together." Room mate (who is the unofficial mayor of Alberta) suggests Vita. service was good, place was casual, windows were open wide. Menu is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, but I was still able to have an egg with lunch! The potato cake was amazing, I think it was southwestern style and the sauce was zesty. I also had a smoothie that came in a canning jar. Friend was able to eat her vegan meal (I was too busy eating my meal to notice what she ordered-but she likes it!) and we both suggested we stick with Vita again. I also plan on taking my recently health conscious parents here next month for breakfast.
(4)
H M.
Wow, what a joke this place is. We came here for Mothers Day. You know my son & man wanted to take me out for something yummy. For some reason they choose this sh*thole. Ive heard bad stories about this place but I wanted to try somewhere new so I still came here with a clear mind. Not very busy. Open clear tables. Few people waiting so we write our name and sit down. 30 minutes goes by. Everybody else is seated. We aren't. Mind you we were the only people there with a child who is chilling in his stroller. Still open tables...still waiting. Waitress' walks by over 10 times, hostess keeps glancing at list, NO acknowledgement. Still waiting. Finally a guy that was behind the counter comes out checks the list, looks at us, looks at the empty table, walks over to empty table AND KEEPS WALKING. So I ask my man "we've been sitting here for 30 minutes...that tables been empty...should we say something?" So he walks over to the guy who is back behind the counter. Nicely asks if there are any open tables. And whoa were we not expecting his head up the a** attitude! Then it dawned on me...this is one of those Non-Breeder Righteous Vegan dives. So We Left. In no way will I ever support a place that employs trust fund bred hipsters who were never taught to respect others. The amount of employees they had running this place is ridiculous to not have any of them be able to personally interact with the customers even if they don't fit in their "look".
(1)
Ryan E.
it never ceases to amaze me; you call something vegan and people think its amazing. i made the mistake of going all out and ordering the chycken fried steak and the fysh and chips the first time i went. DISGUSTING and i like it deep fried. bland unseasoned tofu fried in batter with soggy bottom of the batch fries. the corn cakes are the only thing ive ever liked but seriously how much oil do you have to put in a batch of those things? its like a vegan voodoo donut: minus all animal ingredients, substitute hydrogenated oil. the dish i liked most was a peice of cake and it wasn't made in house - sweetpea maybe? the wednesday happy hour thing they had was about the only tolerable time ive had in this place. i guess you have to get drunk to ignore the food. service wasn't horrible, but the food is about a half step above food not bombs quality. how hard is it to mess up a french fry? its like vegan matrix food - if you believe in it enough, it will stop tasting like deep fried cardboard and turn out however you want/imagine it to taste.
(1)
Allyson D.
Visiting Portland for a few days, my friend and I decided to go kayaking right over the border in WA. Without getting into it too much, our 3 hour trip turned into a 6 hour adventure. After starting at 90am and ending around 3pm, we were starving! Luckily I remembered seeing a review of Vita Cafe & had my trusty iPhone to lead the way! The food was heavenly! My friend & I shared the vegan nachos. So fresh! So delicious! Rice may not be something you would think of as a topping for nachos, but it definitely made the dish here along with the super fresh guacamole. My friend had the cold veggie wrap which she declared awesome. I had the buffalo tofu wrap. I'm still thinking about this sandwich. Perfection! It was exactly what I was looking for at that moment of hunger. The buffalo sauce was divine and they put on just the right amount of ranch dressing. I would love another one right now! There was also an assortment of yummy looking vegan treats and cakes for dessert but we were too stuffed to taste any. Service was quick, helpful and nice. A really great vibe to this place. I just noticed that there's a back patio. Will need to check that out next time. Will definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland (hopefully soon!)!
(5)
Breanna L.
I stopped in for breakfast recently, I haven't been here in over 6 years. My family and I ordered 1 Thai corn cake, biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito. The corn cake was good, the biscuits and gravy were SUPER salty and the breakfast burrito was pretty good. I probably won't be back for breakfast, but I have had the fishwich and reuben in the past and remember liking them both. I will probably be back for lunch or dinner, I am looking forward to trying the buffalo tofu wrap, which seems to have gotten the best reviews. Staff was friendly, but not too attentive, overall we'll be back, eventually.
(3)
Amanda E.
Vita's where I want to go when I've been eating variations of Chinese food for days and all of a sudden, I want something else. The Tofurkey florentine, chicken fried steak, mac & cheese, fishwich, vegan club...and more await me. The food is good and breakfast is served until 4. Sometimes that's exactly what I want to hear. The new building is a little more upscale, I think. Also, on Wednesday evenings they have a happy hour.
(4)
Amy H.
Took the family here Wednesday night at 6:15p. There was quite a wait- maybe 40 minutes or so to get a table. They seemed really busy, maybe a little under staffed that night. It was worth the wait I felt for the food, and the price. It might have been so busy because kids eat for $1 between 5-7. Also, they had some great specials- $5 cocktails, I think $3 tap or something, plus a lot of $5 menu items. Our whole party of 5 ate for $35. And that was with my delicious $5 cocktail. One of the kids got the $1 mac and "cheese". It was a generous portion and she really enjoyed it. The other kid got the $5 special fish sandwich. It was a battered tofu patty on a bun. I thought that was just ok. Chicken fried "steak" with mashed potatoes and gravy- pretty good, I am not usually that much of a comfort food person, so hard for me to judge. Didn't taste chili burger or whatever husband got, seemed like he was happy with it. The fries were pretty much my favorite part. chunky with skins, with well done bits. Delicious. Service was satisfactory. Looking forward to going back to try some other menu items!
(4)
Gibbs G.
Seriously delicious. The sandwiches and veggie lasagna were solid and tasty, with a pesto sauce that might be the best I've had in a restaurant: not too cheesy, not too garlicky, and not too thin. Basically, excellent. The veggie lasagna was substantial without being a bowling ball. The service was pretty good, too. The hot toddy I had was excellent, too. Faaaar better than the Bloody Mary's at vita. The weird thing was the itty bitty water glasses. I felt like I was a giant drinking from them, and I'm only a little north of 5' 4".
(4)
J P.
Wow, PDX crowd is up early today...well, not sure if they are up early every Saturday. I am sure the heck not, i like to sleep in every chance I get :) We went to Vita after not wanting to wait in line at Tin Shed and Helsers. I was skeptical about trying a place I had not heard anything about.....mainly cause I did not want to be disappointed. I was happy the food was good. We both had chicken fried steaks (not real chicken of course), but excellent! The gravy, chicken apple sausage, corn pancake, brown rice and coffee was yummy! Can not go wrong with stumptown coffee...sorry starbucks :( The service was short-handed...but i think it was the cooks...not the waitress fault. The waitress was great. The environment was PDX alternative crowd comfortable.
(4)
Karl R.
Great menu, but what really does it for me is the hand dryers in the restrooms. I was actually surprised the cities power grid didn't shut down. I mean the sheer force of the hot air blowing forth made my hands wrinkle like a dogs mouth hanging out of the window of a speeding car. There must be some serious horsepower behind the engine in that thing. You could dry fifty hands with one push of the button. I will return again and again. Thanks!!!
(4)
Kitt J.
I used to come here a lot with a boy who very recently (read: today) shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. So you can be sure I mean it when I give the place four stars. The peppered bacon and biscuits here could almost mend my broken ticker. Almost. That's some pretty serious breakfast.
(4)
Ash. A.
So, I finally made it to Vita Cafe! It seemed sort of inevitable since I work nearby and I am a pescatarian. Well, firstly let me just say...the drinks here are fantastic. I got the Blue Jay which consisted of a vodka soda with some blueberry puree and orange. I actually felt healthy drinking it since I was putting the toxins in but countering them with the antioxidants from the blueberries.....right? Secondly, the food was very good. The menu ranges from simple sandwhiches and soups ...... to stir-fries and creative Italian dishes. On this particular evening I opted for the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which is a glorified Pho dish. It was pretty good after a heavy dowsing of hot sauce and had a great selection of veggies swimming in the lemony broth. My friend got the Flamin' Tempeh dish. It looked great, but I was too busy eating and drinking my own things to ask for a bite. I will definitely return at a later date for the cheap $5 menu (served all night) and a piece of the wonderfully, delicious looking cakes.
(4)
Kathy P.
I've heard great things about this place, so when some friends needed a spot near Alberta to eat and catch up on our lives, we went to Vita Cafe. Wait staff were kind and helpful without being overbearing. I had the Fajitas Platter which could satisfy even a meat eater...it was fresh, tasty and Vegan! It came out on a skillet sizzling and smelling yummy. I also had the greens salad which was fine. And I enjoyed the IPA beer on tap as well. They serve items that meat eaters can enjoy which is nice...so we all get what we enjoy. Popular, busy, tasty and a fun place to eat.
(5)
Mishel F.
Yum! amazingly delicious breakfast. I highly recommend the rice porridge and housemade seitan sausages - they are absolutely delicious. The "huevos" rancheros were also great, with a housemade, spicy ranchero sauce over tofu and mixed veggies - delicious. Service was slow and inattentive, but they were packed. I'd definitely be back for more.
(4)
Sam M.
Great vegetarian / vegan food with good service. The food here is so good, they really know how to do vegan food right. The menu has a huge selection of delicious food, too bad we only got to eat there twice during our trip to Portland. The second time there, the waiter accidentally forgot to take our order as it was 4th of July weekend and very busy...but he apologized immensely and gave us a small discount on the meal since we had to wait so long. Next time we are in Portland we will definitely be back here to enjoy an awesome meal.
(5)
Snow F.
Surly server, and a small portion of salad on a dinner plate cost $10. I left hungry and feeling ripped off. Also, the food here is basically like first-wave vegetarian food, that crappy "pretend bacon" and tempeh shit. Spend your money at Blossoming Lotus or Harlow instead. Even Laughing Planet is better quality than this.
(1)
Carina J.
The food was great, the waitress was amazing. The manager? He was the most passive aggressive person EVER and to just come up to our table, nag at us about something and then when we pointed out that there was a 50¢ discrepancy (one we were not caring about paying and said so) in their menu prices and what they charged, he sarcastically offered to get a manager, said he "didn't like" me pointing at him (I was pointing down the list of different prices) while he pointed at me and then stormed back to drop 50¢ on our table. Bravo. I'm never going back. The waitress brought us cake. She's the best.
(2)
Yvette B.
Awesome experience during the dinner crowd on a Friday. When I came in the tables were full so I sat at the bar. The servers kept my glass full of water, I was thirsty I had done a lot of walking. As a southern gal turned vegan I've had chicken fried steak before so I was interested in trying a vegan version and it did not disappoint. The gluten free coating they surround the tofu with is spot on! I enjoyed it and the mashed potatoes and gravy. Customer service was great.
(5)
Adam B.
Portion size was huge. Kids each got a vegan grilled cheese and could have easily split one and been filled. The large fries was as big as my head. My burger was very satisfying and my husband's special makes breakfast burritos look like tiny ants in comparison! Waiter was attentive abd friendly despite us going at a Sunday lunch rush.
(5)
Maybritt R.
My husband wanted some burger so we found this place in the Internet. The sun was shining and we eat outside. The service was perfect, I ordered a burger but asked if we could get him gluten free. Perfect, he was not sure if the tempeh is completely gluten free so I got a burger with a gluten free party and the tempeh extra if I want to try it. The burger was so good, that we forgot to take a picture. The fries also are really good. If you want a good vegan burger go here!
(5)
M A.
So I've been back in Portland for less than a week and I've made it to Vita at least 3 times. I don't know if it's a recent addition to the Alberta area or if I was just living on another planet when I did live here, but this place is AWESOME! I've only had breakfast when I go but the Country Comfort is super filling, flavorful, and makes me want to come back over and over again. The almond gravy is the winner on that one, and is totally worth pouring over everything else on the plate (even says my meat-loving mother). She also says the chicken Apple sausage is totally worth it. Additionally, the jam is fab and the scrambles have massive amounts of super fresh veggies! The service has been up and down the couple times that I've gone but I've always left satisfied with the customer service AND food. Plus it's a super cute neighborhood spot so extra star for that.
(5)
Kristi F.
I mean honestly...totally worth all five stars. This place has epic vegan brunch food! I had a massive (I mean ginormous) stuffed burrito with loads of potatoes plus a coffee with almond milk cream. My friend had the fried 'chicken' with gravy...heavenly! I think it was battered tempeh? It was so crunchy and so yumm! I'm definitely returning here. Portions are huge and prizes are comparable! Update: So this is like my favorite vegan spot now. Third visit and I had mimosas with a colleague. She had raspberry cider and mine was with grapefruit juice - amazing mimoas, woah! The juice tastes so fresh. I'm not a drinker so I'm picky! Still 5 stars in my book.
(5)
Avishek S.
I'm not vegetarian so this may bias my results but I only give this place 3 stars because I was still very hungry after my meal and was not satisfied with how much I paid for my meal. I arrived in a party of eight after a long hike. Of course a vegetarian cafe might not be the best place to go when you're really hungry. And of course it might be better to eat meat to feel full. However since I know the basics of appetite regulation, I knew that carbs are key to feeling full by causing the greatest leptin release which is the hormone that tells your hypothalamus you're full. So I at first was interested in the burger but I don't like eating white bread so I thought about the buffalo tortilla wrap. I noticed there were no carbs inside the wrap so I decided to order the broccoli tempeh dish instead because it comes with brown rice. When it arrived I noticed that there was very little brown rice but a lot of vegetables. I was very pleased with the tangy taste- it was very saucy and having an Indian heritage means I like sauce with rice. However it was the smallest serving of rice I have ever been served so I barely felt like I ate anything afterwards. So I ordered a basic burger which was as the name suggests very basic. No cool sauces or anything unique came with it; I just got some well-done meat, lettuce, and tomatoes, with bread that was a bit burnt. It's not grass-fed to my knowledge and it's not worth $6.50. Also they use Hunt's ketchup which I don't like; I only like the local good ketchups like what they serve at little big burger. I would have paid $7 for the broccoli and tempeh instead of $10.5 and $4 for the burger instead of $6.50. It's important for serious vegetarians to obtain enough calories in their diet. Not eating meat doesn't really make that difficult either but deciding to eat lots of vegetables to feel full and avoiding more calorie dense foods like rice will leave one hungry and lead to health problems down the line. I'm glad I tried this place out, but I would only recommend it to vegetarians that are small and require fewer calories. On the plus side the service was pretty fast.
(3)
Ronn S.
Love the corn cakes different from our fl grits all around great food Ronn just the Ronn The hole in the wall food guy
(4)
Kerri J.
I felt like this place was very mediocre. I'm not sure if its because I'm not vegan, or because this place is just mediocre. Pros: They have a good selection for a variety of eaters, gluten free, vegan, vegitarian, omnivores, etc. And it was pretty easy to combine gluten free with a lot of the options. Alot of dishes had options to add meat or pick a vegan option - so things weren't off limits most of the time They had breakfast and lunch/dinner food all day We were seated immediately and were able to pick our own table Portions are big Cons: Service was really slow. The wait staff only came back once or twice, and was rarely within reach if you needed them - they were congregated in the back chatting or out of sight. Some things are pricey. Ok 10 dollars for an entree doesn't sound bad, but if you want a burger and fries you have to pay extra for a side of fries. I ordered the lemongrass noodle bowl which was around 10 or 12, and then an extra 4 dollars for spicy shrimp. 4 dollars got me 5 shrimp, and they weren't spicy. They were cooked perfectly though - not overdone like a lot of places, so I will give them that. For some reason I didn't like my noodle bowl. There was nothing wrong with it, the veggies were cooked just right, there were plenty, it all looked really pretty, but for some reason it just left something to be desired. I thought I would love it based off of the description but I just didn't enjoy it and I can't put my finger on why. It could have easily fed me for two meals if I had wanted to bring it home. I got out of there for around 30 bucks for me and my friend which honestly wasn't too bad. My friend loved their entree. With my entree costing around 14 or 16 dollars with the shrimp though, I wish I had spent my money on something else - thats too much money to feel meh about what I'm eating. I think if you have a really diverse crowd with different dietary/eating needs then this place might be a good place to stop. With the combination of slow service, being a pricey for what you're getting/being nickel and dimed for add ons that shouldn't be add ons, and not being a huge fan of what I got, I don't think I'll come back here without trying a lot of other places first.
(3)
Karissa B.
My boyfriend and I came to Vita Cafe for a weekday breakfast while staying in Portland. I ordered the PDX breakfast with tofu, breakfast potatoes and a corn muffin. My boyfriend got The Denver with breakfast potatoes as well. The potatoes were delicious and cooked perfectly. But the tofu was really greasy and bland. It didn't have any sort of sauce or seasoning other than pepper. Then the corn muffin was extremely grainy and dry. My boyfriend seemed to enjoy the scramble he got so I think he liked this place a little more than me. Although he agreed about the muffin not being very good. After we finished our meal we had to wait quite a while for our bill because our server was eating breakfast which was kind of odd to me. Overall the breakfast potatoes were great but I thought everything else was mediocre.
(3)
Taisiya S.
This place looked cool and we walked from 15th to 30th to get here and we were super hungry and thirsty. Unfortunately, it said to seat yourself at a clean table and we did! But alas, after 5 min of sitting there without so much as a "We'll be right with you!" We got up, looked around at the 2 girls (dark hair and pinkish blonde haired) and decided to leave. Oh well!!
(1)
Mark C.
We had a great experience. The veggie burger was good, not great, the soup and fries were amazing. Kale salad was tasty....our server Shelby who is brand new, was excellent
(5)
Joaquin G.
Vita is a great brunch spot with awesome vegan options. I do feel however, that although their breakfast is excellent and ambiance pleasant, their fries are really "hmmm" and their cake..is way too expensive.
(3)
Emily E.
I don't know how this happened, but their vegan cakes are easily as good as non-vegan. I'm confused, scared and a little excited. The service is slow. slow. slow. But who the heck cares? Enjoy the company you're with. Which should probably just be a piece of cake...you're going to want some alone time.
(5)
christina g.
Delicious vegan brunch! They give you a lot of food as well. They have a pretty good cocktail selection as well. The service could be better. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and it took a while to get more coffee and such.
(4)
Melissa S.
Mexican corn cakes and Thai corn cakes were phenomenal. Rich in flavor and calories (that's a good thing). Left satisfied. Would easily return if I were ever in the area
(5)
Virginia D.
stopped here on my way to Salem for a late lunch. ended up getting the combo plate with vegan biscuits & gravy, housemade sausage & potatoes. It was AWESOME! and only $10. took a slice of vegan pumpkin cheesecake ($7.50!!!) for the road, which I did not realize was also raw. NOT a fan, I was so bummed when I dug into it later that night :( but their non-raw cakes & pastries look tasty, plenty to vegan options. laid back vibe, hipster servers, very Portland
(5)
Barbara D.
The vegan buffalo hot sauce tofu wrap was a mouth explosion. Better oral by hot sauce is inconceivable. As good as great sex and much less complicated.
(5)
Samantha H.
I've been here many times, and it wasn't until tonight I had thought about writing a review. Tonight I realized I've never had anything here I didn't like. You seriously cannot go wrong with anything on any menu... Unless you add daiya cheese.
(5)
Krystal F.
I adore this little vegetarian/vegan friendly cafe! I have been here many times and have been meaning to write an awesome review for a long time. Recently I have been coming to The Vita when I am needing to study and also want lunch. They have free WiFi and many tables with lots of room to spread out. The service here has always been fantastic. Even when they are slow and I am just sitting with coffee and getting some work done they always keep my coffee full and hot. (Organic Stumptown) Everything I have ordered from here has been super tasty and is above my expectations. My favorite so far was when they had a vegetarian French dip on special. I wish this was a regular menu item because I often dream about how amazing it was. Vegetarians never get au jus!!!! I believe they have some great deals offered on Wednesdays as well.
(5)
Warren J.
The food is delicious but most of the staff (with a few exceptions) treats you with contempt. A lot of the folks who work here seem angry and hungover. They have been down right rude. They need to get a new attitude. The food is good though.
(3)
Dani O.
Tasty food. Lots of gluten free, vegan, healthy options + a burger and fries for the ones who want it.
(5)
Sophie L.
If you're vegan/vegetarian, and have a craving for comfort food, this is the place for you. My picky Vegan friend just love the chicken fried steak here after our day of hiking. I got the wraps, and it was as good as VeggieGrill and Native Foods. I also love their reuban sandwich and chicken strips. They even have happy hour menu if you just want to sample a little of what they have.
(4)
Monica K.
From the moment we arrived, it was as if we did not exist. We came into a half full restaurant and waited 15 minutes with no acknowledgment. Staff were waiting ten minutes to clear tables and didn't seem to know how to stack plates. There was much shuffling about and the same table was wiped down five times by different people- at least it's clean. While making these observations, we still received no eye contact from anyone there. Once we had finally been seated, we waited another 15 minutes at the table. No water, no eye contact, but a lot of texting servers. Once I finally waved someone down and asked politely for water, they just rolled their eyes at us and asked us to wait for our server (who was leaning against the wall texting). After that happened, we left. Don't know why we were treated so poorly. It was as if we were an annoyance. They should work on friendliness- it's a big deal
(1)
Katie L.
Wow! Just wow! Vegan Mac-n-cheese. Check! Thai Curry Soup and Super Green Salad with Herb onion bread. Check! Eating here forever. Check!
(5)
Jk G.
Am not Vegan and loved this eatery. Hard to decide on just one dish, tasted the dishes others at our table ordered and they were excellent too. 5 stars
(5)
Tonia B.
Loved everything about NE Alberta Street. You have got to add this to your Portland visit. Our waiter Just Dave was great! The food was incredible! Corn cakes are all the rage in Portland and they are delicious. Their house made sausage was amazing. It was also really cool to have a cup of coffee. No espresso machines here. Another memorable vegan breakfast!
(5)
Sara O.
Oh yummy!! Great food, nice atmosphere!! Must check out. Especially if you have food allergies, or special eating habits.
(5)
Josh P.
Large, diverse menu. Excellent vegan selections. Just close your eyes and point. Can't go wrong here!
(5)
Mega M.
If you are going here and expect a vegan establishment you will be pissed. They serve meat and dairy. Fack off
(3)
Hayden N.
It was a lazy Sunday morning, took awhile before my friends and I decided it was time to venture out for some food. One of my friend had a visitor that joined us and she is vegan. After discovering there's nothing she could really eat at Sweedeedee, we went over to Vita Cafe. We arrived around 1:30pm and the restaurant was packed with people still waiting to be seated. Needlessly to say, there was a bit of a wait and we were starving since it was a late lunch for us. Once seated and the waiter came by, I ordered a fruit smoothy--I wanted something instantly filling with minimum effort. That consisted of mixed berries, banana, fresh juice and yogurt. It was refreshing, however, I thought $6 was a little steep for something that I could have made at home. I oped for the breakfast burrito: scrambled free range eggs, veggies and chili, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, topped with vegan cheese sauce, salsa and guacamole. Came with a side of potatoes. I thought the breakfast burrito was interesting, it had broccoli and red cabbage which aren't typical vegetables in breakfast burrito--it was good. The chili bought it to a whole different level of goodness. The portion is quite large and I barely made it through half of my meal. They have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans--the food is extremely hearty but a little on the greasy side.
(3)
Michelle L.
Great place for herbivores and omnivores alike! I came here for both lunch and breakfast on separate occasions, and both meals were great and reasonably priced. I really liked the ambiance of the place as well! Much of their food is organic, and though the menu consists of almost all vegetarian/vegan options, they provide you the option to add meat without antibiotics or hormones. For breakfast, I got the Country Comfort with free-range eggs (tofu and tempeh also available), which was delicious. Biscuits and almond gravy were great. I find regular meat-based gravy to be way too heavy, so the almond gravy was perfect - creamy without being overwhelmingly greasy. We also got a Fruit Smoothy with tofu instead of yogurt. I was a little skeptical at first since I have never heard of anyone adding tofu to smoothies, but it actually turned out pretty nice! I imagine the tofu was only used for consistency so it didn't interfere with the taste. Overall, I highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch/lunch, regardless of your dietary choices. (They also serve mimosas!)
(5)
Brian C.
Very good restaurant. Quite a variety, quick service, great food.
(5)
Angie R.
Amazing! You don't have to be vegan, veg, or even health conscious to find this food utterly delicious! Try the spinach salad and the buffalo tofu.
(5)
Harry T.
First time here and I was very happy! I had the breakfast biscuit sand which dish. It was yummmmmy! I'm more of a mushroom gravy kinda guy, but the almond gravy was good! My fellow she-squatch had the "chicken" fried steak. My only criticism was that you got the aftertaste of bland tempeh. All in all though, I will definitely be back!!
(4)
Breylan D.
Stopped in on a wet and rainy day to have soup and a BLT. This place rocks it! The BLT is done just right; toasted sourdough, fresh and delicious tomato, and of course crunchy bacon (they also offer a vegan option). As for the soup, pretty standard but tasty - I had the vegetable quinoa and would recommend it to a friend. Solid four-star dining experience. Check it out!
(4)
Amy L.
SO many positives, I don't know where to begin. Everything here is amazing! Breakfast foods are on point. I'm from the South, and their biscuits and gravy are no joke. Their chicken fried steak surpassed all of my expectations. Their sandwiches are phenomenal, and the service is great. There's a reason that there's always a wait here, and it is so freaking worth it!
(5)
Xiaomin Z.
totally love this place. the Thai curry soup is super, the vegan club sandwich is filling and delicious, the veggie version of Reuben sandwich taste like heaven. this is the only true vegetarian friendly place I've been to that does not treat veggie food like an after thought or an inferior version of meat dishes. they treat the veggies and beans with love and respect. the outcome is super delicious food that's good for you and for the environment.
(5)
Charles S.
Ordered the daily vegan soup, which was indian lentil and the tempeh broccoli. The soup was good at $6 the portion size was ok. Comes with a side of bread not sure what kind of bread it was but it was good. Now the tempeh broccoli was good flavour however not enough broccoli or veggies. Also for 10.50 the portion was extremly small. The plate was not full. Honestly to me i feel ripped off. That plate should have been full to the top. Especially paying $10.50 the broccoli florets were tiny and their werent that many. Also the sauce over powered the dish. I mean the small amount of brown rice ended up being saturated with the sauce so it became to sweet to enjoy. I will come back, ill be sure to try some thing else.just hope i dont reget my next visit Atmophere is very nice. Waiter and waitress were very attentive and firendly.
(3)
Ross A.
Great price for portions. The food is terrific. If you're visiting the Portland area, and looking for a vegan/veg-friendly place...this should be on your list.
(4)
Jess M.
My husband and I split a veggie cheesesteak sandwich and salad for lunch. The seitan in the cheesesteak was amazing and the bread was really tasty. It was also pretty large, so splitting it worked well. The service was friendly and very fast for a noon time meal on a Saturday. We sat at the counter which has metal bike gears inlayed into the bar top. The smoothies also looked pretty tasty as we got to watch several of them being made.
(5)
Eric S.
So many good things. Lots of booths- Lots and lots of bathrooms (with high powered air dryers) - Good coffee with refills - Friendly attentive service Tons of vegan or veggie options Great old country/singer songwriter music - I had the country comfort with biscuits and gravy it was good not great but I am very excited to come back and try more things here.
(4)
Jake W.
Very neat place. I'm a vegan, I get the vegan food. But most if not all of my friends are non vegans, so this a good place to go. They can get their meat.... Haha, while I get my tofu and stuff. Went for a birthday, and the waitress was super nice. We had 11 people. Very cool atmosphere. GO THERE NOW! Con: they only allow two cards per table.
(5)
Jason K.
Not bad. I had their BLT with fakin and really liked it. Also tried their chili cheese fries and they were fine. I wasn't blown away. Only three draft beers on offer. The pilsner was decent. Looks like they have a bunch of cake type desserts. They looked great, but I fought the urge. Many vegetarian and vegan options, but anyone with just about any kind of diet could find something to try on this eclectic menu.
(4)
Ashley M.
So sad that I had an experience warranting me lower my five star rating to a two star rating. My fiance and I were out to dinner here one night, and came into the restaurant at exactly 9pm, with an hour of business left. I am a server myself, and understand how frustrating it is when people come in close to closing time. However, it is the servers job to make the costumers feel comfortable, the costumers are the ones paying for the food that they're eating and are most likely tipping you. That being said, I felt bad already going in an HOUR before they closed. We received our food at approximately 9:25. At this time there were still about 3 or 4 groups of people in the restaurant STILL EATING, not just camping at a table, still eating the food they paid for. The servers began to stack chairs on tables, they turned the music off and then, at 9:40, 20 minutes BEFORE they close, They SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS! They shut off the entire middle section of lights. There were several people now eating in the dark. Including my fiance and me. I was shocked. We left, and tipped because the food still tasted good. But, we will probably not come back for a while. Which is a shame, because we came here very regularly. Servers, if you hate your job so much, give it to someone who will give a damn. Sincerely, a sad costumer.
(2)
Ben C.
Vita Cafe is one of the best places to convert your vegan hating friends into a full blown veg head! Their entire menu looks like it could be smothered in meat, but it's vegetarian's dream!
(5)
Jarrod S.
I love this place. The staff is awesome, always recommending things or complementing my beer/brunch pairings, but hey its 12 and your menu is impossible to choose from. The Benedicts are awesome and I have tried many things, but nothing compares to the downright decadence that is a vegan country fried steak with almond gravy and potatoes. HOLY HELL! it's the best vegan gravy I have had yet! The place seems to be more of a neighborhood spot than a place trying to be the next sizzle and fade. Most seem like they are regulars. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan, and they have specials every time I have been there. I find myself coming here more often even though I moved further away. I can't wait to try more "not breakfast' options, but they do it better than I know how, Until then I'll keep eating the same thing over and over and over.
(5)
Sara P.
My first stop into Portland, was to Alberta street. My friend and I were both starving and headed straight to Vita Cafe. My friend got the mexican corn cakes made with red bell peppers, topped with vegan sour cream, guac and salsa. Very good! Vegan nachos, best vegan nachos I've had to date. Tortilla chips topped with beans, brown rice, black olives, salsa, guacamole and vegan cheese sauce. Four beers on tap, a wide variety of hard alcohol and some wines. Happiness for all. Service was lack luster, I mean they could seriously care that you decided to eat there. Maybe it's because it was two in the afternoon and they rather not have to work at all?
(3)
Jasmine S.
Last time I got the veggie burger LOVED it with the bloody marry yummy! This time the vegan club with coffee DELISH! This place is great friendly staff friendly customers just a very great positive atmosphere. #teamvitacafe
(5)
Alison M.
I came in for a lovely breakfast with two of my friends who are both vegan and gluten free, this was a perfect option for all of us to find something we would like. I was a big fan of the corn cakes with hazelnuts. The furniture and decor is rather eclectic, right in line with the neighborhood. Most recently I ordered takeout for my friend who took me the first time and had a baby, it was easy and efficient.
(4)
Connor D.
As I traveled through Portland this time around I did my customary search for vegetarian friendly places for lunch. Not too easy to narrow down as Portland has a phenomenal array of vegetarian restaurants, food trucks, and places with veggy options. This time I stumble upon Vita Cafe, mostly based on it being in the neighborhood that I needed to go. The cafe was easily walked to from mass transit lines and easy to find. Note, there is a coffee roasters/shop a block away that has a similar name, Cafe Vita. Atmosphere at Vita is a rough vegan grunge one. I mean this in a nothing-but-positive way. As such, I was greatly looking forward to the food. The server was very kind and helpful in recommending tea options for me. I was not hungry enough for this meal (which bummed me out) but I was content to share a meal with my boyfriend. We got the "chicken" fried steak and oh I can't even explain how wonderful it was! It was made with tempeh, although the texture was fairly smooth more like seitan and lightly breaded on the outside; covered in vegetarian gravy (almond base) and served with breakfast potatoes. There aren't any vegetables served with it, so I added a side of steamed veggies. They are seasonal but this time included broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage, and carrots. For simple steamed veggies, this little side dish was a major win. I am happy I added it! All of the members of our party were happy with their meals. Note, most of the fake meats on the menu are tempeh (including the fake bacon). Please keep this in mind if you are not a fan of tempeh. Five stars for great options, good service, and the best "chicken" fried steak and gravy I have ever had!
(5)
Holly R.
I'm not even a vegetarian and I can't stop thinking about the chicken fried steak and almond gravy. Mm-k?!
(4)
Mary M.
My husband and I went to Vita Cafe a few different times while visiting Oregon and each time the experience was great. There food was absolutely wonderful, staff were friendly, prices are more than reasonable, and atmosphere is laid back and inviting. Although I can only speak from the short time we were there, I feel it's safe to say that this place will not disappoint those who go and it is definitely worth going to.
(5)
Lori P.
This is going to be a place I return to over and over again. The tofu lasagna with pesto and marinara was amazing. It made two full meals but could have made three. My husband got the pasta with Kale and sausage and loved it both then and leftover. We split the carrot cake and didn't even notice it was vegan. The service was outstanding! A keeper.
(5)
Laura H.
I'm giving this place 3 stars because I eat meat. My roommate would probably give it 4 because she's a vegetarian. I've only had the burger and it was good. I have sampled my roommate's fare and it was ok. Fresh ingredients that are organic are used here. Don't mistake this play for Cafe Vita which is half a block away and is a coffee shop. WHY WOULD SOMEONE EVER OPEN UP TWO ALMOST IDENTICALLY NAMED FOOD PLACES 40 PACES FROM EACH OTHER????!!!!!!!!
(3)
Dave A.
Vita is an absolutely great brunch bet for vegans, vegetarians and diners of all varieties thanks to a large, flexible menu that should easily satisfy everybody. The neighborhood hipsters with their young families were willing to brave 20min table waits while I was there so they must be doing something right. I tried the vegan "chicken fried steak" (which is actually tempeh) served smothered in a rich vegetrarian gravy which is accompanied by a massive order of breakfast potatos and both were fantastic, although I did notice the potatoes were no longer piping hot by the time the plate hit the table. Not so fantastic was the house Bloody Mary which was oddly thick and frankly somwhat gross, even so I chugged it down to curb the hunger during the 20 min. wait for the main order to arrive. I also returned the side of thick whole grain toast which just didn't work for me in flavor or texture and the kind staff took this off the bill with no questions. Overall I enjoyed the meal and I'm curious about some of the other vegan dishes but I probably wouldn't return until trying a few other breakfast joints while visiting Portland next time.
(3)
Heather C.
Yum! Vegan food galore! I had the reuben with tempeh. I also ordered the side of fries, which can definitely be shared between 2-3 people ... so I didn't eat all of my fries. Anyway, plenty of options on the menu, beers, non-alcoholic beverages, desserts! The service was great, the food came out fast and when it's warm outside, the windows are open! Definitely coming back here!
(4)
Khem C.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner here is great for group and dates! Chill spot to get something in your system before a night out on the town or just out on Alberta's bars! Service is great to say the least, and oh yeah... did I mention it's a vegan joint!
(4)
Nikki H.
I got my lazy ass on two bus rides across portland to come here because the food is just that fucking good. i highly recommend everything. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of the dishes here. My girlfriend says that eating the sloppy biscuit sandwich made her a better man. Go forth and enjoy!!!
(5)
James A.
Ive been visiting and touring on the west coast a lot for a couple years.now so im used to a laid back attitude. That being said, this was probably the slowest service I have ever received. From being seated to getting orders in, to waiting 25 mins for coffee. The two stars are for the kitchen staff who killed it. Food was awesome. The waiting made me want to flip tables or fly back to the hustle of the northeast asap. Cant decide.
(2)
Campbell B.
I dined here with a friend for lunch on Saturday. The negative: It was very crowded, but the wait was only about 15 minutes. The service was a little slow and inattentive and people kept knocking into me as they walked by our table. The positive: The cafe is cute, the food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are pretty cheap. This is the place I will be taking my foster mother from Chicago when she comes to visit since everything about this place screams Portland and she doesn't believe that vegan food can be delicious.
(4)
Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: A good choice if you have various food needs among a group of people. Menu is a nice balance of vegetarian v. omnivore. I might have gone up another star but this is my first time in this place and had a slow service. Food was starting to get cold as it was set down at the table. We arrived close to 1 on a Saturday and while a good amount of people were at tables most had already received orders. Took about 20 min for a waiter to take an order and a good 30 min after that for food to arrive. Food was good, enough for my friend to take home half of her wrap. For myself I got a breakfast plate (2x2x2) of eggs sausage and corn cakes. Never having corn cakes before I thought I would try them and they were a good choice. Their sausage is chicken apple and has good flavoring for the breakfast minded. The tables they have chosen at the restaurant are too squarish for what I think is optimum for conversation with others. I felt I was sitting too far away to hear well and with the small dishs I am not sure why provide all the space between. This is what I believe leads to some others to talk about the loud atmosphere. Overall after looking at the menu I will have to give this place another chance and try it at some other time and day to see what changes.
(3)
Archie R.
SUPERGRAIN SALAD: So so so tasty .Eat it with the lemon tahini dressing to bring out the flavor even more. The home mad herb onion bread was so tasty. A wonderful place, with a very nice vibe to it .
(5)
Rehan K.
Just flew in from San Francisco and had dinner at this cafe. The Italian pasta was outstanding and the buffalo tofu wrap was fantastic!! Highly recommended!
(5)
Thom D.
Portland BLT review: If it's all about bacon for you, Vita taps highest pig content. Lean too. I was so impressed with the bacon, I really wanted to overlook the mushy tomato. Alas, I can't. Rules are rules, and to make 4 stars for me, the ingredients have to be on-spot. Too bad, because everything else was amazing. Crunchy lettuce, and perfectly toasted and tasty sour dough. Fast service too. Took less than 10 minutes and I was on my way. Nice relaxed vibe. I'm sure if I try other things on the menu, I'd be forced to raise my rating... or just review Vita under different light, other than in search of the best BLT. Big plus, these guys are right across from the Alberta Rose where I spent the evening listening to Matt Brown and Naomi Laviolette. Fantastic venue.
(3)
Graycen A.
The staff is always friendly, awesome and go out I their way to help you. The food is great, full bar!!
(5)
Robin Z.
Great brunch here, which the wife and I hit up all the time. A myriad of hearty vegan/veggie dishes to cycle through... the menu stays consistent but it never seems to get any less satisfying for us. Go for the "chicken" fried steak, "turkey" florentine (what kind of crack do they put in that vegan hollandaise sauce btw), tofu "fishwich"... they're all great. And as a french fry connoisseur, Vita has awesome ones. The staff is super friendly, and they keep the coffee flowing.
(4)
Ralph M.
This is the best brunch place on Alberta. It is by far the best if you are vegan or vegetarian. Every dish is money, I've been here enough to try them all. Pro tip: country comfort is a ton of food if you are ready. Dinner is good too here. The buffalo tofu wrap is great and the club sandwich is unreal. Go here and eat food.
(5)
Erin B.
Mm yummy. Oh my nummy. YUMMY. Did I say yummy? Seriously the BEST vegan food I have had. Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu., I highly recommend the breakfast burrito with tofu, and for dinner the tempeh fish and chips.It can get crowded, but the wait is never too long. Only small gripe is the waiters are hard to flag down and they don't check up on you much to see how your doing, offer refills, dessert, etc. But this will not stop me from returning!!!!!! NOM!
(5)
Parker T.
The service over our last ten or so visits since August has been much more prompt & friendly. The food quality & consistency is as good as it's ever been in our opinion.
(4)
Terra F.
*3.5 stars* We love the large private booths, relaxed environment and friendly service. We ordered (all vegan and gluten free) the tofu-based "buffalo things," tofu-based "fish n chips," and tempeh-based "chicken fried steak." All three items were good, but not great as they were a bit too fatty/oily for us (comparing to Cornbread in Eugene that serves similar comfort foods). We wished the "buffalo things" were more crisp and it would have been nice if the "chicken fried steak" came with a side of veggies to balance everything out. Also, I've had better vegan ranch sauce at other restaurants and the tartar sauce was a bit off. Overall, there are just some minor things that could be better, but we did enjoy our meal and would likely come back.
(3)
Martha C.
You won't be disappointed! Mexican corn cakes are yummy! The staff is friendly and happy to answer questions no matter how busy they are. Get there early to sign up for weekend food otherwise you'll be waiting for awhile.
(5)
Ally J.
I was having a glorious morning and wanted to go out and grab some mid day breakfast! So I ended up choosing vita because the menu looked dank! I ordered the vita scramble with tempeh with brown rice and house made toast! And holly cow it was so so amazing! The portion was just right and filled me up with out the way down of being full! The toast was to die for so yummy and made perfectly and I recommend getting there house made jam! Wow was that tasteful! Yes a five star from me because im still smiling from how great the food was! And the service was really good had two friendly faces to serve me how special! And the food came out quick! Ahhhhh its a must to go here! Ill def be back! O and the biggest plus breakfast is served till 3! Ow ow
(5)
Valerie N.
After a day of touring wineries in the Willamette Valley, I needed some deep fried comfort food, but it had to be gluten free and it had to be vegan. Sounds impossible, right? Not at Vita. Vita offered at least a few options that met my requirements. I ordered the vegan gluten free fish & chips expecting something sad, but it was surprisingly great. Somehow they made deep fried breaded tofu taste like a fish substitute, and it was magically gluten free. The vegan tartar sauce was pretty good, but would have been better with some capers in it. It was exactly what I wanted. The service was pretty fast and friendly. I will definitely return the next time I'm in Portland.
(4)
Christopher O.
I love Vita Cafe. The staff is always friendly and as a vegan triathlete, the portion sizes are exactly what I need! Whatever the special is - get it - you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Eve V.
The staff was super friendly, the atmosphere was laid back, and the food was delicious! We all loved our food: vegan nachos, philly cheese steak, fries, vegan lasagna...great stuff!!
(5)
Eliana S.
best best food ever!!!! every single employee is outstandingly nice, great drinks and super cool atmosphere. i live far far southeast and i drive up here at least once a week. also, *ahem* THEIR HOUSE MADE HERB BREAD IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BREAD E V E R. i order 2-3 sides of it every single time i come.
(5)
Mayra C.
Went here on a Friday morning for breakfast, very tasty. Loved the potatoes. Went back on a Sunday evening for dinner and it was delish! Coctail was also very good.
(4)
Chiemi N.
Vita Cafe was more of a 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because they offer a wide variety of creative vegan/vegetarian dishes. A tip: don't confuse Vita Cafe for Caffe Vita that is about a block away. Lucky for me, I was a little early for a breakfast I was hosting, and I was able to secure a table for my party of seven. I had been having a craving for biscuits and gravy. That used to be one of my breakfast favorites. I have given up pork, so no more biscuits and gravy from most of the breakfast joints I frequent. I did a search of places that have vegan biscuits and gravy, and Vita Cafe came up. I was a little disappointed with my biscuits and gravy, the gravy was like a brown gravy instead of the country gravy I had been craving. I know I've had vegan gravy similar to the country gravy that I was seeking...I need to remember where! The other breakfasts that my fellow diners ordered looked delicious, so I am inclined to go back and try again! Oh, another tip: I thought this cafe was strictly vegan or vegetarian, but I discovered they serve bacon and meat sausage, so you can bring your omnivore friends here! The picture I am posting is my fellow diner's breakfast!
(4)
Randy S.
We've only gone for breakfast, but everything I've had here is amazingly good. We try to make it a weekend ritual. If you're looking for good quality vegetarian and/or vegan grub, check this place out. I've also noticed they usually have pretty good beer on tap as well. Word to the wise, if you don't want to wait for a table at breakfast, get there before 9am (which is true for any decent breakfast joint in PDX).
(5)
Kim J.
This is one of my regular neighborhood spots. Yes, I'm vegetarian, which as we all know is an old Indian word for "bad hunter." As with any place you go, you'll like it more if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Here's a few hints of what to expect: - Good food, much of it veggie or vegan, at a reasonable price. - Authentic wait staff, by which I mean they're being themselves and you might just find out if they're having a challenging day at work (don't we all?). You'll also know if they're having a great day, and your day will probably be brightened as a result. - Their menu is eclectic, but seems to have a basis in diner/American fare, with a veggie/vegan twist of course. - In my experience they're usually fairly busy around mealtimes (it's always reassuring when a restaurant has diners in it) but rarely are they packed. I recommend this place for both the food and for the atmosphere. Not a five star, but a solid four.
(4)
Lance B.
Excellent - I can't say enough about this place. The vegetarian cheeseburgers and fries are awesome. Everything is. The veggie chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is awesome. I love it all. Their house drinks are great. The staff is always excellent. The prices are right where they should be. Check it out...
(4)
Vincent R.
This place is pretty great. I mean, I eat here anywhere from 2 to 10 times a month, so I'm obviously a fan. If you've ever been to Chicago Diner, think of this place as slightly less variety with the menu, throw in a decent amount of real animal meat options, add a Portland twist on the service and you get this place. It's great because it's like high-er quality diner food with some healthy options and some meat options. A good place for people that are afraid of vegetarian food. A great place to bring a meat eater because they can order a hamburger and I can order the buffalo tofu wings (The Buffalo Things are like this super addicting, probably unhealthy, tofu thing that's marinated in a sauce that must have some sort of addictive substance in it), lentil soup and a fried tempeh steak all in the same place. If you have a partner that eats meat and you don't, this place can be a great band-aid on a strained relationship, unfortunately the band-aid always ends up falling off. Wow this just got dark fast. haha Like most places in Portland you never really feel like anyone working here is excited that you just walked in, but that doesn't mean the service is bad or the people are rude. It's always prompt and efficient. You'd think the staff was being curt, but really that's just how it is here, it's like a nicer version of curt. I secretly love that about the place, I can read a few articles of the NY Times or the WSJ on my smartphone or my laptop, take my time eating and forget I'm even in a restaurant. It's nice. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I feel like on Sundays it's really the only place I can go to that doesn't have a 2 hour wait list, so I love coming for a nice brunch and Mimosa. The place has a good mix of straight couples in their 50's who drive a Prius who just had their first baby, as well as hipsters, anarchists, and then the occasional random chick who accidentally ended up here because she thought she was meeting her match.com date at Caffe Vita (a coffee shop with the inverse name a block away.) If you're down for some casual vegan/veg comfort food check this place out. If your'e dating or friends with a heathen that still eats meat, this is the place for ya as well. Enjoy!
(4)
J H.
Great all vegatarian menu.. raw food dish also. Very good amount for price....much better deal then snooty place next door.
(5)
Gina B.
So you decided to give yourself a tip on a to go order? Could not believe the nerve of some people. Giving themselves tips on a to go order! **Warning!** Watch your receipts and compare them to your bank statement. These guys like to give themselves tips when you get to go orders. Who knows what they do when you sit down to eat there. On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, I checked my bank statement and saw that my card was charged an additional $2. Both my other co-worker checked their receipt and bank statement again. They too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. I called to speak with a manager (Ryan) and get it corrected on my card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before saying they would adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. Vita, your food was AWESOME but your service and the scamming drove me and my co-workers away. I will make sure that this is viewed here and Facebook. Get your act together people!
(1)
Madame M.
I finally was able to visit Vita and it was not too shabby. Good 1. Parking was easy to find (strange for Alberta) 2. Large Menu 3. Tasty Veggie Burgers 4. Nice local artwork on the walls Bad 1. Loud as everything in there. PLEASE, if you have an already crowded restaurant, TURN OFF THE MUSIC! People go to restaurants to eat and enjoy the company they are with or have a nice meal in peace. If I want loud music, I will go to a nightclub. Shouting at my lunch guest is not a relaxing experience. 2. Kind of lame when fries (which were oil sponges) are a separate charge from burgers and sandwiches. Most restaurants sell those together. 3. Service was lackluster. Not very personable and they messed up on our order and were snarky about it. With a few tweaks they could be awesome. Then again, no restaurant is perfect. I will give it another try, just will bring my earbuds.
(3)
Miranda O.
I saw other reviewers say they wanted to give this place less stars for the service, but caved because they like the food. If I wanted delicious food, but didn't want to take service into account, I'd eat at home. This used to be one of my all-time favorite places to eat when I first became vegan. Presently, I've been vegan for about 3 years, and now that Dovetail isn't next to Vita Cafe anymore, it's lost a lot of its initial appeal for me. They serve breakfast until 3 PM, which is pretty awesome. I like the Faux Turkey Florentine, Vegan Breakfast Burrito, and anything smothered in that almond gravy of theirs. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap, Vegan Club, and Veggie Burger are good for lunch or dinner. Having said all that, I don't plan on going back here. I used to come very regularly with my boyfriend and, with just the two of us, the service was usually okay. The staff is usually nice, but some are not super attentive when it comes to refills or getting a check. Over time, the service and food have become very inconsistent. Even though the setting suggests that they would encourage you to bring large groups there (big booths and a bar), every single time we've had to split a check with more than three people it's been a huge ordeal. The server will always make some sort of comment about it before hovering over the register for 15 minutes with at least 2 other employees. This used to be my go-to spot for eating with omni friends and family because they offer salmon, beef burgers, bacon, real cheese, and eggs. Unfortunately, every time I brought someone, something went amiss. The server would seem visibly put off by something or the food would be inconsistent and would take a long time. In conclusion, the food is pretty good if you know what to order, but there are better places to spend your money.
(3)
Wyndra A.
I appreciate the options. Their mixed drinks are dynamic. The prices are pretty good. I always expect more from the food. It looks beautiful but when I get it it's always over spices in someway. The salsa for example overwhelms whatever it's on. Their gravy which I am a connoisseur of is way to salty and otherwise lacking. But today I had the BEST server!!! I always appreciate the skills of a good server but this lovely human was beyond, a Master of service! Her name is Shannon and she wears glasses and she is a reason to eat at the Vita Cafe!
(4)
Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Some dishes are amazing. Some are not at all. Depends what you get. Best vegan nachos in Portland. Worst cheesesteak ever- It's mostly bread. This place is less good version of The Chicago Diner.
(3)
Dana S.
BUFFALO TOFU WRAAAP. SHIT'S LEGIT. I had vegan ranch all over my face because I was eating it like an animal. Felt the need to share that. It was awesome. I want to eat it for life. Also got the vegan club. A double-decker 'wich on sourdough with tempeh bacon, homemade fake turkey and other thingies. Mad good! The fake turkey was ridic! And no, I did not eat both of these by my lonesome, but I probably could have. I could also eat all those desserts in the case. I will definitely be getting a slice of chocolate mint cake next time.
(5)
Elizabeth M.
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!!! This is a fabulous place for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike... Went for the first time today (finally!) and met my Dad for lunch. I ordered the vegan club, which was amazing and he ordered the Reuben w/ tempeh and real Swiss cheese, he said it was good and different LOL! We shared a basket of humongous fries and dipped them into the homemade vegan ranch dressing ~ so good! Also, we used some of the homemade Dijon mustard for our sammies which has the most perfect amount of kick to it. The show stopper? Their "quick pickled cucumbers" ~ OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! But sadly, they do not sell them :o( Wait staff was wonderful and very helpful. The location is actually much larger than I was expecting and pleasantly surprised with how available street parking was. Overall, exceptional experience and will most certainly be making return visits!
(5)
Gregory Z.
I had a great Reuben sandwich that came with some homemade tasting pickles. Good service.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
The only thing that this place has going for it, is it's mostly vegan. The food isn't great, the portions are small and it's over priced. Throw in a snobby server and you have the perfect hipster vegan restaurant. Its a good place if you want vegan and a drink but don't expect great food and be prepared to spend more than what the food and drink is worth.
(3)
Tommy T.
Vita cafe is a great choice for lots of options on the menu, probably most all of them being delicious in their own way. I've had many things on the menu like the mac and cheese, the fishwich, the salmon burger, the lemongrass noodles, etc. My girlfriend and I agree that their fries are some of the best in Portland, if not the best we've had thus far. They seem to be pretty busy most of the time, so that usually speaks for itself. If you're looking to get the service you might have at a high scale restaurant or Outback, this is probably not your cup of tea. You're not going to have a bubbly idiot for a server, but you will have someone who will bring you what you want if you ask for it, and make sure you get your food in a timely manner. I will be eating here in the future for sure, because it has always been a good choice so far and it's nice to have a place with reliable food. My girlfriend is vegetarian, and she likes how many choices she can have for amazing food. Because she always lets me try her food, I think the veggie dishes are delightful. A perk for Portland.
(5)
Lili K.
Some of my favorite dishes, in order: -Seitan Fajita Platter: A lot of food, and great for sharing! -Lemongrass Noodle Bowl: Tastes better than the menu makes it sound -Vegan Reuben There are some disappointing items on the menu, but the hits make it worth coming back for. And take advantage of $5 Wednesdays! $5 dinner for certain entrees and sandwiches (check the chalkboard). I usually eat here after 7:30pm on weekdays and I've never had to wait for a table.
(4)
Chels J.
A brunch menu that can satisfy meat eaters (you can sub real bacon for the faux meat options), vegetarians, and vegans alike. My vegan friend loved the "eggs" florentine (she had tofu in place of eggs). The rest of our table each ordered the country comfort. The potatoes were quite good, and I love me some biscuits and gravy - but my goodness was this gravy salty!! And my poached eggs were just a tad undercooked. Also, the biscuits were quite dense, like they needed to be cooked a little more to fluff up a bit. I'm not sure if they were the vegan biscuits or not, I wasn't asked for an option so they might have been. I wanted to run over quickly to Pine State Biscuits and substitute those biscuits into this dish. Sorry Pine State, I won't cheat on you again. Lesson learned. Good option though if you're vegan, since Pine State isn't exactly vegan friendly.
(3)
RJ H.
The tale of two Portland s...Meat and Meatless....We're Vegan but we're flexible .....seitan or real bacon....you choose. and that's what I like about the Vita. Their are days where Vegan suits me just fine and there are others where I just want a real BLT ..... Seat yourself...there's always seems room at the bar ....The wait staff friendly and fit the description of" Vegan Restaurant" nicely. Come on ...Tempah and free range beef burgers on the same menu???? Brilliant.! The Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese ( and choose real fries or steamed Broccoli ....your choice.) A decent wine and beer option......go with one of their rotating drafts ( seems to change a bit often so you'll need to ask or go hipster PBR- Tall boy). I love options and this little restaurant provides the best of both worlds ... whether you are steeped in Portland or just stepped off the plane from Dallas TX., you'll come away satisfied.
(4)
Greg B.
Not a whole lot that hasn't been said already. Always friendly service, great food and coffee, and a consistently good, if small tap list. highly recommend it!
(5)
Kelly B.
I went here with friends on my first visit to Portland for Saturday dinner during President's Day weekend. I had the 'Flamin' Tempeh, Broccoli & Carrots($9.50): steamed broccoli, carrots, jicama, red onions and organic tempeh with sweet ginger hoisin sauce over brown rice. It was delicious, the first time I've seen tempeh on a restaurant menu (which made me very happy!), the atmosphere was quiet and we had attentive service. I highly recommend.
(4)
Amanda B.
I've been going to the Vita Cafe regularly for 7 years. Great vegan food, plus they have options for my meat/dairy-eating friends & family. They make a good, strong margarita and have a solid selection of beers. My husband has several food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy), and they accommodate him, no problem. You can ask to see the ingredients list if you're concerned about allergens. They are kid-friendly, and a couple of times we've had groups of about 10 people there for dinner & had them push together a couple of tables for us, though there isn't a ton of room for larger groups. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is fun & relaxed. They have daily specials that have been excellent every time I've ordered one. I'll continue to be a regular and will always bring my out-of-town guests to the Vita!
one of my favorite vegan eats in portland. every time i think i have found my favorite item on the menu and that i will keep ordering myself the same delicious dish until the day i die... i somehow convince myself to try something new. and i'm always thrilled that i did. some of my favorites: vegan club sandwich. faux turkey florentine. and anything with the almond gravy is exquisite.
(5)
Reymond D.
Vita Cafe is one of my favorite places to chow the f#ck down in Portland. They do vegan food RIGHT! It's just vegan comfort food at its best - delicious and filling. The first time we ate at Vita we brought veggie friends from out of town here and we all lost our goddamn minds. We were passing around each other's plates and freaking out how good the food was. It was the kind of shameless pigging out that you can't even stop from happening. I think the favorite I've tried is the vegan chicken fried steak. I was skeptical at first but woa. It's some kind of wonderful. The service is good - attentive, pretty friendly. Nothing over the top to write home about, but nothing bad or off-putting either. If you are looking for bomb vegan food, this is the spot!
(5)
Katherine M.
We went there during a last Thursday, and it was, unsurprisingly, very busy. However, our party of four got seated very promptly. The wait was around 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad, considering the amount of people in there. I got the chicken fried steak and the bf got the seitan cheesesteak. Tempeh is probably my least favorite vegetarian protein, but I still like to try it when I go eat out since I just want to see if someone actually manages to make it taste good to me. Vita Cafe managed to make tempeh taste pretty good to me, although deep frying it probably helped. The mashed potatoes that came with it was nothing special though. It was kind of bland and dry. The same goes with the gravy. It had a weird taste to it, although it probably was just because it was the first time I've had almond gravy. My boyfriend's cheesesteak was pretty good. It was a nice, and very convincing, alternative to real cheesesteak. Service was nice and prompt. We'll maybe try out their other menu items the next time we're in the Alberta area.
(3)
Emma V.
This is a great option if you have omnivores, herbivores and vegans all trying to eat together. They have great breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Super casual. Full bar. They open the windows when the sun is out, which makes up for the lack of patio.
(4)
Shannon M.
One of my favorite places to eat when I visit Portland. Almost everything is vegan and only once did I get something I didn't like, the turkey florentine, and that's only because I'm not a fan of nutritional yeast which it is clearly full of. The nachos are amazing! The fish and chips taste like fish! Love love love this place. Breakfast time? Get the biscuits and gravy ;) You're welcome.
(5)
Kelsey R.
I recently visited this restaurant because of a positive review in Portland Monthly. I went with someone who is lactose-intolerant because the magazine highly rated their vegan mac and cheese. It was alright, but it just tasted like noodles with sauce instead of anything like mac and cheese. I got the mushroom and onion burger. I was pleasantly surprised to see some meat on their menu. When the burger came however the patty itself was really rather small. The person I was with thought it was a portobello mushroom. It tasted fine - there was just little to it. We were extremely hungry when we arrived, and left still pretty hungry and made a trip to Popeye's. The waitress was nice and the service overall was decent.
(1)
Kevin E. F.
Like the staff. Like the selection. Unfortunately, it is phony. Phony because they have no integrity regarding the ingredients but can have corn syrup in sauces and condiments. Confronted the owner on this, his reply was "The good news is you don't have to eat it." He said it twice! So I suggest you take his advice. You might want to know that Mr. Woo is also the owner of Natural Selections.
(1)
Patti F.
Yes, vegetarians love this place - including me. Where do I begin - well, first I waited to go here at least twice before I decided to write a review. My first experience was SO great, that I wanted to be sure and went back again for dinner, and then again for breakfast, and then again for dinner...you get where I'm going here. I am now a regular, and will remain. The menu is quite lengthy - for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu. AND if you want "real" meat (hack, barf, spew) - they actually have that on the menu too (which I obviously haven't and won't be trying). So, this is not exclusively vegetarian/vegan - they will give you "real" meat if you insist - but who does that at a Vegetarian place, hmm? I've had the buffalo things - and SO happy I tried them. Tofu sticks covered in buffalo sauce. Why is this a big deal? Because I've never had "real" buffalo wings, for obvious reasons, so I was really excited to finally taste "buffalo sauce" - YUM! I've had the chicken fried steak (tempeh), mashed potatoes with almond gravy (V, GF) and I keep ordering it. I've had the Thai pasta - great! I've had multiple salads, sides, breakfast, etc. and enjoyed it every time. My ONLY gripe (which is likely based upon my own misunderstanding) - when there is a wait, and the bar is empty...I don't get why we end up waiting an hour (staring at the open bar), to finally have our name called....and sit at the bar (which remains empty except for us sitting there). This has happened twice now, at dinner and breakfast - and I just don't get it. Perhaps it's a server issue - and if they're buried they don't want to serve the bar, but twice now that's exactly where they've offered to seat us...and frankly I would have sat there and avoided the hour wait.
(4)
R W.
Vita is a solid three and not one star more. The food is hit and miss, usually a hit. The ingredients are always great, but some things just don't work out. For instance, I will never order soup there again, it's just too risky. Service is very slow and it is not a good lunch place during the week, and on the weekends it's slammed for brunch. Condiments are doled out by the servers who check in infrequently. I really hate that. Refills? Not so much. But you do get a big pitcher of water so that helps. I've gone to the Vita about two dozen times over the last seven years, while it has improved some it still is the same old vegan hipster hole-in-the-wall. That's the good and that's the bad.
(3)
Laurie D.
Nothing to bring me back. Very surprised at the ratings.
(2)
Geanna M.
I go here so often that it's hard to leave an un-biased review. Need a place for non-vegan and vegan family members and/or friends to have fun? Check. Need a place to enjoy a nice cocktail or domestic brew on tap? Check. Need a place for really tasty comfort food at decent prices? Check. Need a place that has a really wide selection of gluten-free items? Check.
(4)
Strea T.
Pretty disappointing. I'm a vegan on a foodtour of Portland, and I must say that much of the food at Vita Cafe was hum-drum, especially for the prices. The macaroni & cheese tasted like there was nothing but soymilk on pasta and was way too expensive at $4.50 for a tiny thimble. The sandwich was alright but also flavorless and something I could have made at home. I got the peanutbutter chocolate cheesecake and it wasn't a big piece but costed $5.50. I make better vegan cheesecakes than they can. At least it didn't taste like silken tofu... It just tasted like firm tofu plus flour. I liked the soup, but that's pretty standard. Our waitress, while smiling and nice, was absent a ton. She never gave us a refill on drinks (soda), didn't ask about a bread choice for my soup, just gave me one the one I didn't want and didn't even split the bill! We will be going back to better places rather than going there ever again.
(2)
Grace B.
My first impression of this place was with my vegan friend who ordered some corn cakes... they were pretty good. I came back here after I started reading the book Eating Animals and was feeling REALLY crazy about food. I had no idea if I still wanted to eat eggs, I was feeling bad about soy products, etc. So I ordered some kind of breakfast with tempeh that was pretty unsatisfying, and decided I was not into the Vita Cafe. A friend wanted to go last week so I humored her. I got the soup and salad which was tasty, and our server was really cute and silly. Also, above our table was an insane unicorn painting. Much better experience. So why is this five stars? The H.O.G. Homemade Herb and Onion bread with almond Gravy. I grew up on single mom income food-- stuff like creamed tuna on toast. The type of thing I thought I'd never get again... until the HOG. The HOG is the most delicious, comforting meal ever. I went there twice in a week to order it. I want to be eating it right now.
(5)
Ben M.
Yuck! Horrible service too. Actually I used to kinda like the sweet potato fries until I ordered them... waited an hour... asked the waitress where my fries were and she replied "don't you know it's good luck when your order isn't put in right away.." she said she would bring me a larger order which when finally came was smaller than a small. Thanks a lot Vita. Keep that penny I left you, you earned it.
(1)
Jennifer H.
I was referred to this restaurant by some of my friends in Arizona who had dined here. There was a nice crowd for dinner, but we were able to be seated right away. I love that I had so many vegan options. I ordered a salad and sandwich. My husband had the mac and cheese. Our tummies were full and happy when we left.
(4)
Lindsay D.
My husband was vegan for the first several years of our marriage so we used to go to Vita all the time. Then he started eating bacon and our restaurant choices shifted. Last night I made it back to the Vita with some friends. The service was friendly, and at an average pace. Prices are decent, nothing too high. I had a great spinach salad. While everyone at the table tasted my vegan mac n cheese and swore it was really good, I wasn't all that convinced. It was ok - but when I think mac n cheese I think gooey and cheesy, and it was more like noodles sprinkled with a lot of vegan parmesan. I'm SO not a wine snob (give it to me in a bottle or a box, I don't care!), but the pinot noir I had seriously tasted like it was the cheapest wine ever. That would be ok for maybe $3 but definitely not $8. Blah! A friend next to me is from Texas, so her standards of things like gravy are high. I knew she would be disappointed with a fake chicken fried steak but she took the plunge anyway (especially after server recommendation). She ate it because she ordered it, but bemoaned it's complete lack of chicken fried steakness when we got to the car. On a high note, their desserts are damned awesome - and vegans can rejoice on that one. Oh yeah - AND IT WAS FREAKING HOT IN THERE! Those of us in skirts/dresses were sweating all over those wooden booths like no tomorrow. I like an open atmosphere, but dudes get some fans or something!
(3)
Isa M.
I have to begin this review by mentioning that I almost died at Vita Cafe. The reason that I have to mention it is that I still go there. At least twice a week. That is how much I love Vita! The service is so much better since they've moved locations, everything comes out fast and the wait staff is super nice and just generally have their shit together. I mention that because in the old place you'd get a sandwich and then 20 minutes later your dining partner would get their sandwich. Now it's like 10 minutes TOPS for everything to get to you, the way you ordered it. So yay. OK so the food. My drug of choice at Vita is breakfast. Awesome almond gravy, excellent scrambled tofu and tempeh, crisp home fries and melty earth balance marble rye. Plus vegan french toast and pancakes! What more could a girl want? Oh, a little thing of nutritional yeast at your table? Yeah, you can have that. I almost always the Vita scramble, it has spinach, garlic and red onion. Can't go wrong. For dinner I have a cardinal rule: stick to the sandwiches! The entrees do tend to be bland and just a little awkward, if food can be awkward. But the sandwiches are the best ever. For some reason the buffalo wrap is listed in entrees, so that is my exception to my cardinal rule, but really it's a sandwich just listed in the wrong section. Anyway, sooo good. Fried hot sauce & firm tofu yumminess, creamy flavorful ranch. Simply slammin'. Other 'wiches I like: fishwhich (outta control tartar sauce) and club (homemade seitan turkey!) The salads are nice too. The quinoa salad with guac and pumpkin seeds and currants, I think it's called the supergrain? Superyum. And the caesar is so good, it's tahini based and you just wanna slurp it up. I didn't give Vita 5 stars because it is so vegan friendly it should just be vegan. Why in the world is there meat on the menu? Also, the biscuit isn't fluffy and flaky, it's kind of muffiny - but I still totally eat it with their awesome gravy. And also, the aforementioned entrees are definitely not 5 star. But a lot of it is, just choose wisely!
(4)
Kate B.
I love, love, love this place. The $1 kids menu from 5-7 daily is a steal -- I hesitate to mention it because I don't want it to become too crowded to get a seat. Our kids have food allergies so vegan options typically work best for us. The vegan mac & cheese is really good -- no weird aftertaste and it doesn't look nasty (this is a real treat for kids who cannot eat the traditional version). We always get the mixed veggie plate as well and it's got a great variety, with the usuals (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) as well as the less typical (kale, cabbage, etc.) It's always fresh and the kids love it. I am personally hooked on the buffalo tofu wrap. My husband really likes the Thai coconut soup w/ that heavenly onion herb bread. The beer selection is good (not great) and they also serve cocktails. We live close by so we're lucky enough to be able to eat here often. I have experienced a few of the cantankerous waitstaff but not enough to keep us away. The food is just too good.
(5)
Matt D.
I absolutely love this place. Since discovering it about 2 weeks ago, I just can't seem to get enough of it and I've gone four times. As someone who eats a 90% plant based diet (even though I don't claim to be a vegan/vegetarian), this place is zen. I can say with 100% certainty that even the biggest of carnivores wouldn't miss having meat while eating at Vita Cafe. Not only do they have fantastic, high quality meat alternatives, but they prepare them in such a way that you don't even care that there isn't any meat. Some of my favorite dishes: The buffalo tofu wrap is outstanding. It's moist (many vegetarian wraps I've had are very dry), spicy, and quite satiating. I don't even like the taste of ranch, but the vegan ranch they use is quite delicious. It's more of just a dill sauce than a ranch dressing. The cheesesteak is an amazing substitute for the original, except it won't clog your arteries. The vegetables and seitan are seasoned and cooked to perfection and placed on the most delicious roll. Finally, the chili. Before having Vita Cafe's, I always thought that Laughing Planet had the best vegan chili. Though they are quite different, Vita has a slight edge due to the fact that it's much more satiating, complex and spicy than Laughing Planet's offering. It also comes with a fantastic corn muffin. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the service can be somewhat inconsistent. I've had some of the greatest service imaginable here, but other waitresses can be downright rude.
(4)
Lid C.
The original Vita left me quite unimpressed and I basically crossed it off my list without the intention of ever going back. After they made the crazy leap across the street (I picture their moving day to look like a game of Frogger), I ended up going back when a friend suggested we meet for breakfast. Everything about the new spot was better: the food, the ambiance, the service, even the location! (kidding) There are a handful of things on the menu that are fantastic time and time again, the chicken fried steak and the buffalo tofu wrap come to mind, and then there are things that are just ok though strangely comforting. That is what Vita is to me: comfort food. Yummy vegan comfort food. I'm a big fan of their Wednesday night happy hour mainly because they have their fishwich for $5 and a habañero infused tequila with lemonade (my creation) for $2. Any place with ample vegan options that has spicy liquor on the well and offers aardvark hot sauce gets a top score from me. I'm just that easy to please.
(4)
Sherri M.
Most days the folks at Vita have everything under control. The drinks are well mixed with quality ingredients & potent. The fries are cooked all the way through. You don't have to wait too long for your order and everything arrives at about the same time. Then there are the off days when the only thing you're happy about is that the drinks are well done because the fries are partly raw in the center, you wait 45 minutes for your order and when it comes they've forgotten someone's dish. Oh and the vegan desserts are from the far less tasty Piece of Cake (who use hydrogenated shortening in their goods, or so I was told by a bakery manager at one of the New Seasons shops) Other than that -- The drinks rock, I've only had a couple of soups that were less than stellar, the super-grain salad could only be improved by changing out the guacamole for slices of avocado, when the fries are cooked properly, they are excellent, the corn cakes rock, and their mashed potatos are one of my favorite vegan comfort foods.
(4)
Raquel W.
Great atmosphere, great food!! Highly recommend their Thai Coconut Milk Soup. So incredibly yummy!! Yes its vegetarian/vegan, but they also cater to the carnivores, I had (real) bacon on my BLT. Be open minded about food when you go, if you're gonna get snarky about the kind of food they serve, move on, there's plenty of other places to eat on Alberta!
(4)
MoDa M.
No, oh no. Coffee was the worst coffee I've had since living in the Pacific Northwest for eleven years. And the food tasted like cardboard - wait, make that bland cardboard. Vegan / vegetarian food does not have to be tasteless like this. Maybe they were having an off day when we visited, but our ick experience was enough to keep us from ever going back again. Luckily, it was a bright sunny day, so the outing made for a good bike ride there and back.
(1)
Abby B.
We were the second patrons of the day, but our waitress was already in a foul mood (we think this might have just been her general mood). I ordered their breakfast specialty: corn cakes, and then listened as she told every table after us that they were out of corn cake batter because "someone had already ordered it". I repeat, we were the second patrons of the day! The corn cakes were my first and happened to be tasty, but my companion's thick french toast was not cooked all the way through, so it was the equivalent of two pieces of french toast sandwiching a dry, stale piece of bread. Although neither dish was served with a side, along with our collective breakfast came a swarm of gnats (yes, gnats) that didn't leave until our plates were bussed. The waitress dropped the check on the table without asking if we wanted anything further, and seemed annoyed when we showed interest in dessert (we were using up a certificate & knew we wouldn't return). The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake was from Sweet Pea Bakery and was so dry that it actually crumbled as the fork hit it. The visit was a hot mess from beginning to end.
(1)
Angie V.
I dined at this place twice during my stay in Portland. Both times, the food was excellent! Maybe I am just used to over priced Los Angeles vegan food, but the prices seemed relatively cheap. I was happy about that. My only gripe is the waitress on both occasions was a little bit rude. But, hell! I was on vacation, that was soooo not going to ruin my time at Vita. Do yourself a favor and try the BBQ Things! Yum!
(4)
Mandy B.
Yum, yum, yum! I have not been to many vegan places in Portland, so not much to compare to, but I had an excellent experience at Vita. The only "bad" thing about this place is there were too many menu options. I wanted everything and had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted. The only logical thing to do was get a combo plate and try bits and pieces of my friend's order. I got the soup/salad combo. My favorite part was the Super Grain Salad with lemon tahni dressing! Party in your mouth! The combination of sweet/tart currants with the lemon dressing and guacamole dance together harmoniously. The one item in the salad I would recommend doing without was the tempeh bacon crumbles...not a fan. My soup was the Thai Coconut soup, which I was anxious to get, because thai soup is usually not my bag baby. However, going off recommendation from our helpful server I gave it a go- what a wonderful surprise! Even better was the fan-frickin-tastic onion bread to accompany the soup. I also had a bite of my friend's Mexican Corn Cake, not bad, but do not get if you do not like cilantro bc it is full of the flavor. Also, I would recommend getting this as a substitute for bread rather than making it your full meal (and be aware they are big corn cakes).
(4)
Haylie B.
For breakfast. Pretty standard except for the coffee and corn cakes (instead of pancakes).....yowsers! Excellent coffee (black), and the corn cakes were super tasty...slightly crunchy but not to much. Eggs are farm fresh which always seem to have a tastier yolk...and the bacon...was bacon...yum! Friend got the Faux Tofurkey Florintine. I didn't taste it, but I didn't hear raving reviews. Honestly, I looked like a usual eggs Benedict. I shall return if the mood so strikes, but not itching to go back.
(3)
Andrew O.
Confusingly enough, there is a Caffe Vita (no relation) a block down from this place. After finding the right spot (we're dumb), we enjoyed a solid vegetarian dinner. This spot reminds me quite a bit of Watercourse Foods here in Denver. I had the 'turkey' reuben, which was probably the best I've ever had. They used their homemade veggie meat, which was so much better than the tempeh most places use. Service was friendly and quick. I'd probably eat here pretty often if I lived in Portland.
(4)
Stephen H.
BEST vegan buffalo wings I've had. Philly cheeze steak and lemongrass noodle bowl are awesome too. Noodle bowl had a fresh, tasty broth, and was colorful as well. Vita is not the healthiest vegetarian food since it is fried and has heavy use of wheat gluten or soy (something I hope will change with the next generation of vegetarian cuisine), but a great take on classic american fare. It's like vegetarian versions of my favorite college food. Great prices too. They have $5 specials every day. Unbeatable!
(5)
Rori L.
For my first time there, I had a delicious time. The wait was modest for a weekend, so we were able to get seated in approx. 20 minutes. After sipping on some tasty coffee at our table, we placed our orders and waited. Though we were patiently sipping for a little longer than I expected, there was plenty going on in the place-so I didn't feel too bummed. Once the food did come-woohoo! My cornmeal pancake with hazelnuts and maple syrup was one of the best I had had to date (beats Cup and Saucer around the corner). The mexican corncakes were amazing as well-I'll be back just for those. We didn't get too crazy for our virgin visit, but I will definitely be back with an appetite.
(4)
Derek N.
I had heard about the delicious food at Vita Cafe before i moved to Portland so i went in expecting a lot. I definitely was not let down! I've been there several times (old and new location) and have never left unsatisfied. Their vegan selections are some of the best in town and are always filling (but don't leave you feeling stuffed, which is good). The staff is always very nice and accommodating and have never had a bad experience with them. Their giant booths are perfect for a large group of friends you want to share a meal with. The first thing i tried there was the Buffalo tofu wrap. Being a native of Buffalo,NY i'm always weary of Buffalo style things i order outside of Western NY. To my surprise, they did a really good job with the wrap and i couldn't have done better myself. They also have bottles of Frank's hot sauce which is always a plus. Their vegan nachos are my favorite in Portland so far. I could go on and on about all the great dishes they serve, but I'm going to stop rambling right now so you can get up and go try this place for yourself! What are you waiting for?
(5)
Jamie E.
Awesome fresh food at a reasonable price. The breakfast burrito was heavenly...
(5)
erin g.
I don't think this place needs another review but I can't not Yelp a place that I go to for the first time! Great vegan and vege options. Hand the tofu denver scramble, tofu, onions, peppers and potatoes were awesome. Great flavor, big serving. Top it off with home made bread and I'm in heaven. The BF had the breakfast burrito and said it was "earthy" tasting. I didn't taste it (contained eggs) but he did eat it all... No wait to boot! Will be back.
(4)
Bryan W.
The food is above 5 stars, especially the Buffalo Tofu Wrap, but the staff is never personable and seems to always give the shortest answer possible. I understand that it's a busy cafe but even when you sit at the bar you get almost 0 interaction despite being in front of the staff nearly the entire time you're there. Having said that... vegan, vegetarian or not (which I'm not) the food is insanely delicious. We go nearly once a week and we live in Vancouver.
(4)
Mike A.
Vita is a great place to eat whether by yourself or with a bunch of friends. Kinda bummed it's not 100% vegan, but it does make it easier to get non-vegan friends to eat out with you. The food is amazing. My personal favorites are the chicken friend steak, Italian pasta, Caesar salad, and the buffalo things! They also have Secret Aardvark hot sauce, which is amazing on anything! The only downside is that the staff can be inattentive quite often, even with an nearly empty restaurant. I don't mind though, but I've heard a lot of people complain about it.
(5)
Andrew P.
Best Vegan joint in NE. I come here weekly and have never been dissatisfied. I like going on weekends after waking up late, and just watch people go by on Alberta through the big shutter windows that are usually open. They do a good job with their substitutes considering they have so many, ie almond gravy, cheeses (though it is daiya in some cases), sour cream, lots of that stuff is easy to screw up. I've had nearly everything on the menu, so here are some recommendations: -For breakfast if you get there before 3: Country comfort; chicken fried steak is worth the novelty alone. Mmmm gravy. Stumptown coffee is everywhere but for some reason it tastes especially good here. - Vegan Nachos! Quite good and they don't mess up the vegan part. Their chips are clearly store bought Sanitas or something though. - The Reuben is actually really good (my partner orders it religiously), I recommend it with tempeh. -The fries here are phenomenal chunky things. - The supergrain salad is wonderful if you feel like a healthier side. -I've only ever gotten one "special", I was the first person to ever order one, the waitstaff invented it that morning. It was a burger with hummus, guac and jalapenos in it. The tastes clashed, the hummus (homemade) needed some work, but I admire their creativity. But it was a tiny thing, which is what I disliked most. Their regular mushroom and onion burgers are awesome! -I've had three soups and felt that they have all been on the bland side. -Finally, if you are starving, the Fajitas with "faux-rizo" is a huge dish that comes out on two plates (one for fixin's, the other a steaming hot skillet). Food coma imminent and TOTALLY worth it. Their Bloody Mary is so packed with awesomeness it is a meal in itself. Most folks should be able to find something they like from their rotating list of beers on tap. I'm reading some reviews about the service; I would like to say that I've never felt uncomfortable, ignored or otherwise victim of the "sleep"/"snoot" some folks have mentioned. The waitstaff don't kiss rings but they do greet people warmly and they do their best (it can get super busy here on weekends around brunchtime). They certainly don't stop moving. I leave them regular love letters. Speaking of which, there can be a wait on weekends during brunchy hours. I've found it moves really quick with half the people end up going elsewhere on Alberta, and my partner and I are usually seated within ten minutes.
(5)
Katrina B.
Vegan french toast - A+ Fruit Smoothies - A+ Rice and Currants Porridge - B (I discovered I don't like hazelnuts, but it's still really yummy with coconut milk.) Service - A Ambience- A So many delicious looking items on the menu it was really hard to choose. I can't wait to go back and try lunch and dinner.
(5)
Jordan P.
Very good and accommodating. I'm new to vegetarianism, but this place has a packed menu that's consistently good. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and have a meatless proclivity.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
My husband brought me take-out from Vita, and it was delicious even when microwaved the next day! Call me sacreligous, but I ordered the Spicy Salmon cakes and I put them on a spinach salad for lunch. They were awesome- subtly spicy, excellent salmon flavor, not too much onion. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a salmon cake. My husband (who ate there with a group) said his seitan cheesesteak was excellent as well, and he's not a seitan eater normally. He loved the service, raved about how nice the waiter was (even commenting that the service "wasn't the typical crappy Portland service") and the group he ate with also raved about their food. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Nicole L.
Gluten-free options for all the celiac-sprue folk. For this, I thank Vita Cafe. May I recommend the Thai Corn-Cilantro-Banana Pancake heavenly breakfast? Mmmm. Yum.
(4)
Jenny C.
The moment I walked into Vita Cafe I knew I'd like it. Maybe even love it. It's the darnedest thing really. Normally if I encounter anywhere that offers predominately a vegetarian and/or vegan fare my "do not want" receptors flash and fade like a canary in a coal mine. But stepping into Vita Cafe, it didn't happen. Was my safety bird already long dead? That'd be kind of ironic given that part of the vegetarian point is to save our little winged friends. But I digress... My friends and I slid into a back booth and poured over the pages of dinner options as the waitress poured out the water. After plenty of time to debate I finally settled on a greek salad. It comes in two sizes, the larger of which was perfect for a main dinner entree. Pitted kalamata olives (a weakness) with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and feta, were drizzled with a fantastic basil vinaigrette. It really was an ideal summer dinner. The cafe has the same vibe as many of the other shops along Alberta. While it's probably one of the nicer restaurants on the strip, it's certainly not pretentious. The staff is friendly and customers seem generally happy to be there. We stopped by early on a Friday night, and were just four of the maybe dozen people there. But even if it was packed, I'd still imagine it would feel as spacious as if we had been the only ones there. The high ceilings and smattering of art and old signs on the walls give the place a clean and simple look that is nice to take in for a while. We were in an out in about an hour, just right for a first stop on a night out. And as we were leaving, we passed by a young family sitting down at a table and I could have sworn that I heard a quietly whistled song... ... maybe my canary is singing a new tune?
(4)
suzzette f.
My hubby and I eat here, at least once a week. Best soups in town. Yay!
(5)
David T.
Great food, good prices. I cannot have any type milk from a cow. I know I can trust Vita Cafe to serve good, safe and nutritious food.
(5)
Michelle H.
Confession: I could almost be vegan, and not feel deprived. ALMOST. I do love meat, and I love dairy even more, but there are times I could go on a binge of vegan eating and be content. At work, for ages, they thought I was at least vegetarian. I have no problem ordering up meatless meals. Apparently that threw up red flags, especially when I'm getting these meals on the company dime. I'm not getting the expensive fish? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love fish--it's probably my favorite. Sometimes I just want to try the butternut squash enchiladas. There is something almost more exotic when you get into some of the complex dishes vegetarians and vegans get behind. Call me crazy. I know I do. So when a vegetarian friend wanted to hit up Vita for her birthday (or did I kind of suggest it? I can't remember), I was ready, willing, and able to see what the cafe had to offer. I was sincerely overwhelmed with delicious choices of diner/cafe foods. Oven roasted vegetable lasagna with portobello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, spinach, basil and tofu? Yum. Hell, the seitan fajita platter sounded amazing. They have daily specials, which happened to include a veggie patty melt that almost won me over. Ultimately I went with the supergrain salad which was a huge heaping plate of black and white quinoa, tempeh bacon crumbles, red peppers, currants, pumpkin seeds and guacamole with carrot ginger dressing. I supplemented it with a cup of thai coconut soup, thinking that most salads leave me feeling hungry within an hour or two. BOY WAS I WRONG. That salad, while an amazing and beautiful sight, left me stuffed beyond belief. It's also not a good friend to braces. I was picking quinoa and seeds out of my for ages after. It was a definite gum massage, too. It was still worth every bite. Everything was fresh, grainy, and it just felt good going down. That Thai coconut soup was delicious as well. It came with two pieces of herb and onion bread that were to-die-for. I'd go back purely for more bread, I kid you not. It was so good. It was soft and dense and begged me to eat it. I need to go back for more of those entrees, but more importantly I need to go back for breakfast. I imagine it's a little more crowded than dinner was on that early-ish Saturday night. The breakfast menu looks equally superb, and frankly I'm just a breakfast person. They serve it until 4pm, too! That fits great with my 2pm breakfast time I've been adopting lately. Service was quick. They split our check without an issue. It was a pleasant experience. If we weren't so stuffed, the desserts in the case in the front looked beautiful. They're from local bakeries in town, so you know they're going to be amazing. I enjoyed everything from the confines of this vegan haven. Don't worry though, I'm not getting fully swayed to the dark side. They had some salmon cakes on the menu that were calling my name as well. Some things never change.
(4)
Em H.
Soo I've been here a couple times. The reuben is good. the veggie burger is good. the truffles are good. The Bloody Mary is one of the best i've had in town. But it is not that great of a vegan cafe. You could make better for less at home. I was looking forward to the buffalo tofu wrap but its just an unseasoned slab of steamed tofu with some franks red hot in a wrap (not worth $7.50). The Fish n Chips were another unseasoned slab of tofu but the tartar sauce definitely helped (not worth $7.50). The breakfast burrito was god awful and way overpriced. I hear some of the pasta meals are good, maybe one of these days i'll go back and gamble 10-12 bucks away on one of those or maybe i'll just make some good home-made pasta for 3 bucks.
(2)
Laura J D.
vegan comfort food is a tough one sometimes. I understand that vegetables are delicious, but so is salt and fat. That's what I ate today: a giant plate of salt and fat and bread. It was good. It wasn't GREAT. I'm a mediocre cook, and I feel like I could have created about the same quality of meal at home. But, it's nice to have someone do the shopping for you, prepare the meal for you, serve it to you, and clean up after you. Worth every penny. Our server was a super-sweet and attentive lady. Even though we were immobilized with gluttony after french toast, biscuits and gravy and a faux-meat french toast towering sandwich, she persuaded us into trying the vegan/raw peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake. So glad she did. We'll be back again!
(4)
christy c.
OH MY GOSH there are SO many amazing vegan restaurants in Portland! SO JEALOUS! Go here! We had nachos (yum!), chili (YUM!) and I had a 'fish and tarter sauce sandwich' (DOUBLE YUM!) Food here awesome. Service really cool. And a cool bicycle atmosphere. go here and pig out. easy to do...
(5)
Darin S.
This place is fantastic. I'm a full on carnivore, and I'd eat here every day. I realize they serve meat. But their vegetarian and or vegan food is fantastic. Everything is great here!
(5)
Del R.
The VIta Cafe and I have had a long, torrid love affair since I first moved to Portland back in '02. They were also my first exposure to vegan fare. I once even posted a I Saw U for one of the wait staff for whom I had a major crush on, but never owned up to it. Now they have long since moved across the street into much better digs, although the lighting is a bit hard on the eyes at times. Their food remains oh so good. My favorites include the New York Breakfast with tofu, steamed veggies and the Thai corn cake; vegan chicken fried steak, tofu fish and chips. There portions are great and their prices are reasonable.
(4)
Carina J.
The food was great, the waitress was amazing. The manager? He was the most passive aggressive person EVER and to just come up to our table, nag at us about something and then when we pointed out that there was a 50¢ discrepancy (one we were not caring about paying and said so) in their menu prices and what they charged, he sarcastically offered to get a manager, said he "didn't like" me pointing at him (I was pointing down the list of different prices) while he pointed at me and then stormed back to drop 50¢ on our table. Bravo. I'm never going back. The waitress brought us cake. She's the best.
(2)
Sam M.
Great vegetarian / vegan food with good service. The food here is so good, they really know how to do vegan food right. The menu has a huge selection of delicious food, too bad we only got to eat there twice during our trip to Portland. The second time there, the waiter accidentally forgot to take our order as it was 4th of July weekend and very busy...but he apologized immensely and gave us a small discount on the meal since we had to wait so long. Next time we are in Portland we will definitely be back here to enjoy an awesome meal.
(5)
Snow F.
Surly server, and a small portion of salad on a dinner plate cost $10. I left hungry and feeling ripped off. Also, the food here is basically like first-wave vegetarian food, that crappy "pretend bacon" and tempeh shit. Spend your money at Blossoming Lotus or Harlow instead. Even Laughing Planet is better quality than this.
(1)
Yvette B.
Awesome experience during the dinner crowd on a Friday. When I came in the tables were full so I sat at the bar. The servers kept my glass full of water, I was thirsty I had done a lot of walking. As a southern gal turned vegan I've had chicken fried steak before so I was interested in trying a vegan version and it did not disappoint. The gluten free coating they surround the tofu with is spot on! I enjoyed it and the mashed potatoes and gravy. Customer service was great.
(5)
Adam B.
Portion size was huge. Kids each got a vegan grilled cheese and could have easily split one and been filled. The large fries was as big as my head. My burger was very satisfying and my husband's special makes breakfast burritos look like tiny ants in comparison! Waiter was attentive abd friendly despite us going at a Sunday lunch rush.
(5)
Maybritt R.
My husband wanted some burger so we found this place in the Internet. The sun was shining and we eat outside. The service was perfect, I ordered a burger but asked if we could get him gluten free. Perfect, he was not sure if the tempeh is completely gluten free so I got a burger with a gluten free party and the tempeh extra if I want to try it. The burger was so good, that we forgot to take a picture. The fries also are really good. If you want a good vegan burger go here!
(5)
M A.
So I've been back in Portland for less than a week and I've made it to Vita at least 3 times. I don't know if it's a recent addition to the Alberta area or if I was just living on another planet when I did live here, but this place is AWESOME! I've only had breakfast when I go but the Country Comfort is super filling, flavorful, and makes me want to come back over and over again. The almond gravy is the winner on that one, and is totally worth pouring over everything else on the plate (even says my meat-loving mother). She also says the chicken Apple sausage is totally worth it. Additionally, the jam is fab and the scrambles have massive amounts of super fresh veggies! The service has been up and down the couple times that I've gone but I've always left satisfied with the customer service AND food. Plus it's a super cute neighborhood spot so extra star for that.
(5)
Kristi F.
I mean honestly...totally worth all five stars. This place has epic vegan brunch food! I had a massive (I mean ginormous) stuffed burrito with loads of potatoes plus a coffee with almond milk cream. My friend had the fried 'chicken' with gravy...heavenly! I think it was battered tempeh? It was so crunchy and so yumm! I'm definitely returning here. Portions are huge and prizes are comparable! Update: So this is like my favorite vegan spot now. Third visit and I had mimosas with a colleague. She had raspberry cider and mine was with grapefruit juice - amazing mimoas, woah! The juice tastes so fresh. I'm not a drinker so I'm picky! Still 5 stars in my book.
(5)
Avishek S.
I'm not vegetarian so this may bias my results but I only give this place 3 stars because I was still very hungry after my meal and was not satisfied with how much I paid for my meal. I arrived in a party of eight after a long hike. Of course a vegetarian cafe might not be the best place to go when you're really hungry. And of course it might be better to eat meat to feel full. However since I know the basics of appetite regulation, I knew that carbs are key to feeling full by causing the greatest leptin release which is the hormone that tells your hypothalamus you're full. So I at first was interested in the burger but I don't like eating white bread so I thought about the buffalo tortilla wrap. I noticed there were no carbs inside the wrap so I decided to order the broccoli tempeh dish instead because it comes with brown rice. When it arrived I noticed that there was very little brown rice but a lot of vegetables. I was very pleased with the tangy taste- it was very saucy and having an Indian heritage means I like sauce with rice. However it was the smallest serving of rice I have ever been served so I barely felt like I ate anything afterwards. So I ordered a basic burger which was as the name suggests very basic. No cool sauces or anything unique came with it; I just got some well-done meat, lettuce, and tomatoes, with bread that was a bit burnt. It's not grass-fed to my knowledge and it's not worth $6.50. Also they use Hunt's ketchup which I don't like; I only like the local good ketchups like what they serve at little big burger. I would have paid $7 for the broccoli and tempeh instead of $10.5 and $4 for the burger instead of $6.50. It's important for serious vegetarians to obtain enough calories in their diet. Not eating meat doesn't really make that difficult either but deciding to eat lots of vegetables to feel full and avoiding more calorie dense foods like rice will leave one hungry and lead to health problems down the line. I'm glad I tried this place out, but I would only recommend it to vegetarians that are small and require fewer calories. On the plus side the service was pretty fast.
(3)
Ronn S.
Love the corn cakes different from our fl grits all around great food Ronn just the Ronn The hole in the wall food guy
(4)
Kerri J.
I felt like this place was very mediocre. I'm not sure if its because I'm not vegan, or because this place is just mediocre. Pros: They have a good selection for a variety of eaters, gluten free, vegan, vegitarian, omnivores, etc. And it was pretty easy to combine gluten free with a lot of the options. Alot of dishes had options to add meat or pick a vegan option - so things weren't off limits most of the time They had breakfast and lunch/dinner food all day We were seated immediately and were able to pick our own table Portions are big Cons: Service was really slow. The wait staff only came back once or twice, and was rarely within reach if you needed them - they were congregated in the back chatting or out of sight. Some things are pricey. Ok 10 dollars for an entree doesn't sound bad, but if you want a burger and fries you have to pay extra for a side of fries. I ordered the lemongrass noodle bowl which was around 10 or 12, and then an extra 4 dollars for spicy shrimp. 4 dollars got me 5 shrimp, and they weren't spicy. They were cooked perfectly though - not overdone like a lot of places, so I will give them that. For some reason I didn't like my noodle bowl. There was nothing wrong with it, the veggies were cooked just right, there were plenty, it all looked really pretty, but for some reason it just left something to be desired. I thought I would love it based off of the description but I just didn't enjoy it and I can't put my finger on why. It could have easily fed me for two meals if I had wanted to bring it home. I got out of there for around 30 bucks for me and my friend which honestly wasn't too bad. My friend loved their entree. With my entree costing around 14 or 16 dollars with the shrimp though, I wish I had spent my money on something else - thats too much money to feel meh about what I'm eating. I think if you have a really diverse crowd with different dietary/eating needs then this place might be a good place to stop. With the combination of slow service, being a pricey for what you're getting/being nickel and dimed for add ons that shouldn't be add ons, and not being a huge fan of what I got, I don't think I'll come back here without trying a lot of other places first.
(3)
Karissa B.
My boyfriend and I came to Vita Cafe for a weekday breakfast while staying in Portland. I ordered the PDX breakfast with tofu, breakfast potatoes and a corn muffin. My boyfriend got The Denver with breakfast potatoes as well. The potatoes were delicious and cooked perfectly. But the tofu was really greasy and bland. It didn't have any sort of sauce or seasoning other than pepper. Then the corn muffin was extremely grainy and dry. My boyfriend seemed to enjoy the scramble he got so I think he liked this place a little more than me. Although he agreed about the muffin not being very good. After we finished our meal we had to wait quite a while for our bill because our server was eating breakfast which was kind of odd to me. Overall the breakfast potatoes were great but I thought everything else was mediocre.
(3)
Taisiya S.
This place looked cool and we walked from 15th to 30th to get here and we were super hungry and thirsty. Unfortunately, it said to seat yourself at a clean table and we did! But alas, after 5 min of sitting there without so much as a "We'll be right with you!" We got up, looked around at the 2 girls (dark hair and pinkish blonde haired) and decided to leave. Oh well!!
(1)
Mark C.
We had a great experience. The veggie burger was good, not great, the soup and fries were amazing. Kale salad was tasty....our server Shelby who is brand new, was excellent
(5)
Joaquin G.
Vita is a great brunch spot with awesome vegan options. I do feel however, that although their breakfast is excellent and ambiance pleasant, their fries are really "hmmm" and their cake..is way too expensive.
(3)
Emily E.
I don't know how this happened, but their vegan cakes are easily as good as non-vegan. I'm confused, scared and a little excited. The service is slow. slow. slow. But who the heck cares? Enjoy the company you're with. Which should probably just be a piece of cake...you're going to want some alone time.
(5)
christina g.
Delicious vegan brunch! They give you a lot of food as well. They have a pretty good cocktail selection as well. The service could be better. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and it took a while to get more coffee and such.
(4)
Melissa S.
Mexican corn cakes and Thai corn cakes were phenomenal. Rich in flavor and calories (that's a good thing). Left satisfied. Would easily return if I were ever in the area
(5)
Virginia D.
stopped here on my way to Salem for a late lunch. ended up getting the combo plate with vegan biscuits & gravy, housemade sausage & potatoes. It was AWESOME! and only $10. took a slice of vegan pumpkin cheesecake ($7.50!!!) for the road, which I did not realize was also raw. NOT a fan, I was so bummed when I dug into it later that night :( but their non-raw cakes & pastries look tasty, plenty to vegan options. laid back vibe, hipster servers, very Portland
(5)
Barbara D.
The vegan buffalo hot sauce tofu wrap was a mouth explosion. Better oral by hot sauce is inconceivable. As good as great sex and much less complicated.
(5)
Samantha H.
I've been here many times, and it wasn't until tonight I had thought about writing a review. Tonight I realized I've never had anything here I didn't like. You seriously cannot go wrong with anything on any menu... Unless you add daiya cheese.
(5)
Krystal F.
I adore this little vegetarian/vegan friendly cafe! I have been here many times and have been meaning to write an awesome review for a long time. Recently I have been coming to The Vita when I am needing to study and also want lunch. They have free WiFi and many tables with lots of room to spread out. The service here has always been fantastic. Even when they are slow and I am just sitting with coffee and getting some work done they always keep my coffee full and hot. (Organic Stumptown) Everything I have ordered from here has been super tasty and is above my expectations. My favorite so far was when they had a vegetarian French dip on special. I wish this was a regular menu item because I often dream about how amazing it was. Vegetarians never get au jus!!!! I believe they have some great deals offered on Wednesdays as well.
(5)
Warren J.
The food is delicious but most of the staff (with a few exceptions) treats you with contempt. A lot of the folks who work here seem angry and hungover. They have been down right rude. They need to get a new attitude. The food is good though.
(3)
Dani O.
Tasty food. Lots of gluten free, vegan, healthy options + a burger and fries for the ones who want it.
(5)
Sophie L.
If you're vegan/vegetarian, and have a craving for comfort food, this is the place for you. My picky Vegan friend just love the chicken fried steak here after our day of hiking. I got the wraps, and it was as good as VeggieGrill and Native Foods. I also love their reuban sandwich and chicken strips. They even have happy hour menu if you just want to sample a little of what they have.
(4)
Monica K.
From the moment we arrived, it was as if we did not exist. We came into a half full restaurant and waited 15 minutes with no acknowledgment. Staff were waiting ten minutes to clear tables and didn't seem to know how to stack plates. There was much shuffling about and the same table was wiped down five times by different people- at least it's clean. While making these observations, we still received no eye contact from anyone there. Once we had finally been seated, we waited another 15 minutes at the table. No water, no eye contact, but a lot of texting servers. Once I finally waved someone down and asked politely for water, they just rolled their eyes at us and asked us to wait for our server (who was leaning against the wall texting). After that happened, we left. Don't know why we were treated so poorly. It was as if we were an annoyance. They should work on friendliness- it's a big deal
(1)
Katie L.
Wow! Just wow! Vegan Mac-n-cheese. Check! Thai Curry Soup and Super Green Salad with Herb onion bread. Check! Eating here forever. Check!
(5)
Jk G.
Am not Vegan and loved this eatery. Hard to decide on just one dish, tasted the dishes others at our table ordered and they were excellent too. 5 stars
(5)
Tonia B.
Loved everything about NE Alberta Street. You have got to add this to your Portland visit. Our waiter Just Dave was great! The food was incredible! Corn cakes are all the rage in Portland and they are delicious. Their house made sausage was amazing. It was also really cool to have a cup of coffee. No espresso machines here. Another memorable vegan breakfast!
(5)
Sara O.
Oh yummy!! Great food, nice atmosphere!! Must check out. Especially if you have food allergies, or special eating habits.
(5)
Josh P.
Large, diverse menu. Excellent vegan selections. Just close your eyes and point. Can't go wrong here!
(5)
Mega M.
If you are going here and expect a vegan establishment you will be pissed. They serve meat and dairy. Fack off
(3)
Hayden N.
It was a lazy Sunday morning, took awhile before my friends and I decided it was time to venture out for some food. One of my friend had a visitor that joined us and she is vegan. After discovering there's nothing she could really eat at Sweedeedee, we went over to Vita Cafe. We arrived around 1:30pm and the restaurant was packed with people still waiting to be seated. Needlessly to say, there was a bit of a wait and we were starving since it was a late lunch for us. Once seated and the waiter came by, I ordered a fruit smoothy--I wanted something instantly filling with minimum effort. That consisted of mixed berries, banana, fresh juice and yogurt. It was refreshing, however, I thought $6 was a little steep for something that I could have made at home. I oped for the breakfast burrito: scrambled free range eggs, veggies and chili, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, topped with vegan cheese sauce, salsa and guacamole. Came with a side of potatoes. I thought the breakfast burrito was interesting, it had broccoli and red cabbage which aren't typical vegetables in breakfast burrito--it was good. The chili bought it to a whole different level of goodness. The portion is quite large and I barely made it through half of my meal. They have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans--the food is extremely hearty but a little on the greasy side.
(3)
Michelle L.
Great place for herbivores and omnivores alike! I came here for both lunch and breakfast on separate occasions, and both meals were great and reasonably priced. I really liked the ambiance of the place as well! Much of their food is organic, and though the menu consists of almost all vegetarian/vegan options, they provide you the option to add meat without antibiotics or hormones. For breakfast, I got the Country Comfort with free-range eggs (tofu and tempeh also available), which was delicious. Biscuits and almond gravy were great. I find regular meat-based gravy to be way too heavy, so the almond gravy was perfect - creamy without being overwhelmingly greasy. We also got a Fruit Smoothy with tofu instead of yogurt. I was a little skeptical at first since I have never heard of anyone adding tofu to smoothies, but it actually turned out pretty nice! I imagine the tofu was only used for consistency so it didn't interfere with the taste. Overall, I highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch/lunch, regardless of your dietary choices. (They also serve mimosas!)
(5)
Brian C.
Very good restaurant. Quite a variety, quick service, great food.
(5)
Angie R.
Amazing! You don't have to be vegan, veg, or even health conscious to find this food utterly delicious! Try the spinach salad and the buffalo tofu.
(5)
Harry T.
First time here and I was very happy! I had the breakfast biscuit sand which dish. It was yummmmmy! I'm more of a mushroom gravy kinda guy, but the almond gravy was good! My fellow she-squatch had the "chicken" fried steak. My only criticism was that you got the aftertaste of bland tempeh. All in all though, I will definitely be back!!
(4)
Breylan D.
Stopped in on a wet and rainy day to have soup and a BLT. This place rocks it! The BLT is done just right; toasted sourdough, fresh and delicious tomato, and of course crunchy bacon (they also offer a vegan option). As for the soup, pretty standard but tasty - I had the vegetable quinoa and would recommend it to a friend. Solid four-star dining experience. Check it out!
(4)
Amy L.
SO many positives, I don't know where to begin. Everything here is amazing! Breakfast foods are on point. I'm from the South, and their biscuits and gravy are no joke. Their chicken fried steak surpassed all of my expectations. Their sandwiches are phenomenal, and the service is great. There's a reason that there's always a wait here, and it is so freaking worth it!
(5)
Xiaomin Z.
totally love this place. the Thai curry soup is super, the vegan club sandwich is filling and delicious, the veggie version of Reuben sandwich taste like heaven. this is the only true vegetarian friendly place I've been to that does not treat veggie food like an after thought or an inferior version of meat dishes. they treat the veggies and beans with love and respect. the outcome is super delicious food that's good for you and for the environment.
(5)
Charles S.
Ordered the daily vegan soup, which was indian lentil and the tempeh broccoli. The soup was good at $6 the portion size was ok. Comes with a side of bread not sure what kind of bread it was but it was good. Now the tempeh broccoli was good flavour however not enough broccoli or veggies. Also for 10.50 the portion was extremly small. The plate was not full. Honestly to me i feel ripped off. That plate should have been full to the top. Especially paying $10.50 the broccoli florets were tiny and their werent that many. Also the sauce over powered the dish. I mean the small amount of brown rice ended up being saturated with the sauce so it became to sweet to enjoy. I will come back, ill be sure to try some thing else.just hope i dont reget my next visit Atmophere is very nice. Waiter and waitress were very attentive and firendly.
(3)
Ross A.
Great price for portions. The food is terrific. If you're visiting the Portland area, and looking for a vegan/veg-friendly place...this should be on your list.
(4)
Jess M.
My husband and I split a veggie cheesesteak sandwich and salad for lunch. The seitan in the cheesesteak was amazing and the bread was really tasty. It was also pretty large, so splitting it worked well. The service was friendly and very fast for a noon time meal on a Saturday. We sat at the counter which has metal bike gears inlayed into the bar top. The smoothies also looked pretty tasty as we got to watch several of them being made.
(5)
Eric S.
So many good things. Lots of booths- Lots and lots of bathrooms (with high powered air dryers) - Good coffee with refills - Friendly attentive service Tons of vegan or veggie options Great old country/singer songwriter music - I had the country comfort with biscuits and gravy it was good not great but I am very excited to come back and try more things here.
(4)
Jake W.
Very neat place. I'm a vegan, I get the vegan food. But most if not all of my friends are non vegans, so this a good place to go. They can get their meat.... Haha, while I get my tofu and stuff. Went for a birthday, and the waitress was super nice. We had 11 people. Very cool atmosphere. GO THERE NOW! Con: they only allow two cards per table.
(5)
Jason K.
Not bad. I had their BLT with fakin and really liked it. Also tried their chili cheese fries and they were fine. I wasn't blown away. Only three draft beers on offer. The pilsner was decent. Looks like they have a bunch of cake type desserts. They looked great, but I fought the urge. Many vegetarian and vegan options, but anyone with just about any kind of diet could find something to try on this eclectic menu.
(4)
Ashley M.
So sad that I had an experience warranting me lower my five star rating to a two star rating. My fiance and I were out to dinner here one night, and came into the restaurant at exactly 9pm, with an hour of business left. I am a server myself, and understand how frustrating it is when people come in close to closing time. However, it is the servers job to make the costumers feel comfortable, the costumers are the ones paying for the food that they're eating and are most likely tipping you. That being said, I felt bad already going in an HOUR before they closed. We received our food at approximately 9:25. At this time there were still about 3 or 4 groups of people in the restaurant STILL EATING, not just camping at a table, still eating the food they paid for. The servers began to stack chairs on tables, they turned the music off and then, at 9:40, 20 minutes BEFORE they close, They SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS! They shut off the entire middle section of lights. There were several people now eating in the dark. Including my fiance and me. I was shocked. We left, and tipped because the food still tasted good. But, we will probably not come back for a while. Which is a shame, because we came here very regularly. Servers, if you hate your job so much, give it to someone who will give a damn. Sincerely, a sad costumer.
(2)
Ben C.
Vita Cafe is one of the best places to convert your vegan hating friends into a full blown veg head! Their entire menu looks like it could be smothered in meat, but it's vegetarian's dream!
(5)
Jarrod S.
I love this place. The staff is awesome, always recommending things or complementing my beer/brunch pairings, but hey its 12 and your menu is impossible to choose from. The Benedicts are awesome and I have tried many things, but nothing compares to the downright decadence that is a vegan country fried steak with almond gravy and potatoes. HOLY HELL! it's the best vegan gravy I have had yet! The place seems to be more of a neighborhood spot than a place trying to be the next sizzle and fade. Most seem like they are regulars. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan, and they have specials every time I have been there. I find myself coming here more often even though I moved further away. I can't wait to try more "not breakfast' options, but they do it better than I know how, Until then I'll keep eating the same thing over and over and over.
(5)
Sara P.
My first stop into Portland, was to Alberta street. My friend and I were both starving and headed straight to Vita Cafe. My friend got the mexican corn cakes made with red bell peppers, topped with vegan sour cream, guac and salsa. Very good! Vegan nachos, best vegan nachos I've had to date. Tortilla chips topped with beans, brown rice, black olives, salsa, guacamole and vegan cheese sauce. Four beers on tap, a wide variety of hard alcohol and some wines. Happiness for all. Service was lack luster, I mean they could seriously care that you decided to eat there. Maybe it's because it was two in the afternoon and they rather not have to work at all?
(3)
Jasmine S.
Last time I got the veggie burger LOVED it with the bloody marry yummy! This time the vegan club with coffee DELISH! This place is great friendly staff friendly customers just a very great positive atmosphere. #teamvitacafe
(5)
Alison M.
I came in for a lovely breakfast with two of my friends who are both vegan and gluten free, this was a perfect option for all of us to find something we would like. I was a big fan of the corn cakes with hazelnuts. The furniture and decor is rather eclectic, right in line with the neighborhood. Most recently I ordered takeout for my friend who took me the first time and had a baby, it was easy and efficient.
(4)
Connor D.
As I traveled through Portland this time around I did my customary search for vegetarian friendly places for lunch. Not too easy to narrow down as Portland has a phenomenal array of vegetarian restaurants, food trucks, and places with veggy options. This time I stumble upon Vita Cafe, mostly based on it being in the neighborhood that I needed to go. The cafe was easily walked to from mass transit lines and easy to find. Note, there is a coffee roasters/shop a block away that has a similar name, Cafe Vita. Atmosphere at Vita is a rough vegan grunge one. I mean this in a nothing-but-positive way. As such, I was greatly looking forward to the food. The server was very kind and helpful in recommending tea options for me. I was not hungry enough for this meal (which bummed me out) but I was content to share a meal with my boyfriend. We got the "chicken" fried steak and oh I can't even explain how wonderful it was! It was made with tempeh, although the texture was fairly smooth more like seitan and lightly breaded on the outside; covered in vegetarian gravy (almond base) and served with breakfast potatoes. There aren't any vegetables served with it, so I added a side of steamed veggies. They are seasonal but this time included broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage, and carrots. For simple steamed veggies, this little side dish was a major win. I am happy I added it! All of the members of our party were happy with their meals. Note, most of the fake meats on the menu are tempeh (including the fake bacon). Please keep this in mind if you are not a fan of tempeh. Five stars for great options, good service, and the best "chicken" fried steak and gravy I have ever had!
(5)
Holly R.
I'm not even a vegetarian and I can't stop thinking about the chicken fried steak and almond gravy. Mm-k?!
(4)
Mary M.
My husband and I went to Vita Cafe a few different times while visiting Oregon and each time the experience was great. There food was absolutely wonderful, staff were friendly, prices are more than reasonable, and atmosphere is laid back and inviting. Although I can only speak from the short time we were there, I feel it's safe to say that this place will not disappoint those who go and it is definitely worth going to.
(5)
Lori P.
This is going to be a place I return to over and over again. The tofu lasagna with pesto and marinara was amazing. It made two full meals but could have made three. My husband got the pasta with Kale and sausage and loved it both then and leftover. We split the carrot cake and didn't even notice it was vegan. The service was outstanding! A keeper.
(5)
Laura H.
I'm giving this place 3 stars because I eat meat. My roommate would probably give it 4 because she's a vegetarian. I've only had the burger and it was good. I have sampled my roommate's fare and it was ok. Fresh ingredients that are organic are used here. Don't mistake this play for Cafe Vita which is half a block away and is a coffee shop. WHY WOULD SOMEONE EVER OPEN UP TWO ALMOST IDENTICALLY NAMED FOOD PLACES 40 PACES FROM EACH OTHER????!!!!!!!!
(3)
Dave A.
Vita is an absolutely great brunch bet for vegans, vegetarians and diners of all varieties thanks to a large, flexible menu that should easily satisfy everybody. The neighborhood hipsters with their young families were willing to brave 20min table waits while I was there so they must be doing something right. I tried the vegan "chicken fried steak" (which is actually tempeh) served smothered in a rich vegetrarian gravy which is accompanied by a massive order of breakfast potatos and both were fantastic, although I did notice the potatoes were no longer piping hot by the time the plate hit the table. Not so fantastic was the house Bloody Mary which was oddly thick and frankly somwhat gross, even so I chugged it down to curb the hunger during the 20 min. wait for the main order to arrive. I also returned the side of thick whole grain toast which just didn't work for me in flavor or texture and the kind staff took this off the bill with no questions. Overall I enjoyed the meal and I'm curious about some of the other vegan dishes but I probably wouldn't return until trying a few other breakfast joints while visiting Portland next time.
(3)
Heather C.
Yum! Vegan food galore! I had the reuben with tempeh. I also ordered the side of fries, which can definitely be shared between 2-3 people ... so I didn't eat all of my fries. Anyway, plenty of options on the menu, beers, non-alcoholic beverages, desserts! The service was great, the food came out fast and when it's warm outside, the windows are open! Definitely coming back here!
(4)
Khem C.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner here is great for group and dates! Chill spot to get something in your system before a night out on the town or just out on Alberta's bars! Service is great to say the least, and oh yeah... did I mention it's a vegan joint!
(4)
Nikki H.
I got my lazy ass on two bus rides across portland to come here because the food is just that fucking good. i highly recommend everything. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of the dishes here. My girlfriend says that eating the sloppy biscuit sandwich made her a better man. Go forth and enjoy!!!
(5)
James A.
Ive been visiting and touring on the west coast a lot for a couple years.now so im used to a laid back attitude. That being said, this was probably the slowest service I have ever received. From being seated to getting orders in, to waiting 25 mins for coffee. The two stars are for the kitchen staff who killed it. Food was awesome. The waiting made me want to flip tables or fly back to the hustle of the northeast asap. Cant decide.
(2)
Campbell B.
I dined here with a friend for lunch on Saturday. The negative: It was very crowded, but the wait was only about 15 minutes. The service was a little slow and inattentive and people kept knocking into me as they walked by our table. The positive: The cafe is cute, the food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are pretty cheap. This is the place I will be taking my foster mother from Chicago when she comes to visit since everything about this place screams Portland and she doesn't believe that vegan food can be delicious.
(4)
Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: A good choice if you have various food needs among a group of people. Menu is a nice balance of vegetarian v. omnivore. I might have gone up another star but this is my first time in this place and had a slow service. Food was starting to get cold as it was set down at the table. We arrived close to 1 on a Saturday and while a good amount of people were at tables most had already received orders. Took about 20 min for a waiter to take an order and a good 30 min after that for food to arrive. Food was good, enough for my friend to take home half of her wrap. For myself I got a breakfast plate (2x2x2) of eggs sausage and corn cakes. Never having corn cakes before I thought I would try them and they were a good choice. Their sausage is chicken apple and has good flavoring for the breakfast minded. The tables they have chosen at the restaurant are too squarish for what I think is optimum for conversation with others. I felt I was sitting too far away to hear well and with the small dishs I am not sure why provide all the space between. This is what I believe leads to some others to talk about the loud atmosphere. Overall after looking at the menu I will have to give this place another chance and try it at some other time and day to see what changes.
(3)
Archie R.
SUPERGRAIN SALAD: So so so tasty .Eat it with the lemon tahini dressing to bring out the flavor even more. The home mad herb onion bread was so tasty. A wonderful place, with a very nice vibe to it .
(5)
Rehan K.
Just flew in from San Francisco and had dinner at this cafe. The Italian pasta was outstanding and the buffalo tofu wrap was fantastic!! Highly recommended!
(5)
Thom D.
Portland BLT review: If it's all about bacon for you, Vita taps highest pig content. Lean too. I was so impressed with the bacon, I really wanted to overlook the mushy tomato. Alas, I can't. Rules are rules, and to make 4 stars for me, the ingredients have to be on-spot. Too bad, because everything else was amazing. Crunchy lettuce, and perfectly toasted and tasty sour dough. Fast service too. Took less than 10 minutes and I was on my way. Nice relaxed vibe. I'm sure if I try other things on the menu, I'd be forced to raise my rating... or just review Vita under different light, other than in search of the best BLT. Big plus, these guys are right across from the Alberta Rose where I spent the evening listening to Matt Brown and Naomi Laviolette. Fantastic venue.
(3)
Graycen A.
The staff is always friendly, awesome and go out I their way to help you. The food is great, full bar!!
(5)
Robin Z.
Great brunch here, which the wife and I hit up all the time. A myriad of hearty vegan/veggie dishes to cycle through... the menu stays consistent but it never seems to get any less satisfying for us. Go for the "chicken" fried steak, "turkey" florentine (what kind of crack do they put in that vegan hollandaise sauce btw), tofu "fishwich"... they're all great. And as a french fry connoisseur, Vita has awesome ones. The staff is super friendly, and they keep the coffee flowing.
(4)
Ralph M.
This is the best brunch place on Alberta. It is by far the best if you are vegan or vegetarian. Every dish is money, I've been here enough to try them all. Pro tip: country comfort is a ton of food if you are ready. Dinner is good too here. The buffalo tofu wrap is great and the club sandwich is unreal. Go here and eat food.
(5)
Erin B.
Mm yummy. Oh my nummy. YUMMY. Did I say yummy? Seriously the BEST vegan food I have had. Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu., I highly recommend the breakfast burrito with tofu, and for dinner the tempeh fish and chips.It can get crowded, but the wait is never too long. Only small gripe is the waiters are hard to flag down and they don't check up on you much to see how your doing, offer refills, dessert, etc. But this will not stop me from returning!!!!!! NOM!
(5)
Parker T.
The service over our last ten or so visits since August has been much more prompt & friendly. The food quality & consistency is as good as it's ever been in our opinion.
(4)
Terra F.
*3.5 stars* We love the large private booths, relaxed environment and friendly service. We ordered (all vegan and gluten free) the tofu-based "buffalo things," tofu-based "fish n chips," and tempeh-based "chicken fried steak." All three items were good, but not great as they were a bit too fatty/oily for us (comparing to Cornbread in Eugene that serves similar comfort foods). We wished the "buffalo things" were more crisp and it would have been nice if the "chicken fried steak" came with a side of veggies to balance everything out. Also, I've had better vegan ranch sauce at other restaurants and the tartar sauce was a bit off. Overall, there are just some minor things that could be better, but we did enjoy our meal and would likely come back.
(3)
Martha C.
You won't be disappointed! Mexican corn cakes are yummy! The staff is friendly and happy to answer questions no matter how busy they are. Get there early to sign up for weekend food otherwise you'll be waiting for awhile.
(5)
Ally J.
I was having a glorious morning and wanted to go out and grab some mid day breakfast! So I ended up choosing vita because the menu looked dank! I ordered the vita scramble with tempeh with brown rice and house made toast! And holly cow it was so so amazing! The portion was just right and filled me up with out the way down of being full! The toast was to die for so yummy and made perfectly and I recommend getting there house made jam! Wow was that tasteful! Yes a five star from me because im still smiling from how great the food was! And the service was really good had two friendly faces to serve me how special! And the food came out quick! Ahhhhh its a must to go here! Ill def be back! O and the biggest plus breakfast is served till 3! Ow ow
(5)
Valerie N.
After a day of touring wineries in the Willamette Valley, I needed some deep fried comfort food, but it had to be gluten free and it had to be vegan. Sounds impossible, right? Not at Vita. Vita offered at least a few options that met my requirements. I ordered the vegan gluten free fish & chips expecting something sad, but it was surprisingly great. Somehow they made deep fried breaded tofu taste like a fish substitute, and it was magically gluten free. The vegan tartar sauce was pretty good, but would have been better with some capers in it. It was exactly what I wanted. The service was pretty fast and friendly. I will definitely return the next time I'm in Portland.
(4)
Christopher O.
I love Vita Cafe. The staff is always friendly and as a vegan triathlete, the portion sizes are exactly what I need! Whatever the special is - get it - you won't be disappointed.
(5)
Eve V.
The staff was super friendly, the atmosphere was laid back, and the food was delicious! We all loved our food: vegan nachos, philly cheese steak, fries, vegan lasagna...great stuff!!
(5)
Eliana S.
best best food ever!!!! every single employee is outstandingly nice, great drinks and super cool atmosphere. i live far far southeast and i drive up here at least once a week. also, *ahem* THEIR HOUSE MADE HERB BREAD IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BREAD E V E R. i order 2-3 sides of it every single time i come.
(5)
Mayra C.
Went here on a Friday morning for breakfast, very tasty. Loved the potatoes. Went back on a Sunday evening for dinner and it was delish! Coctail was also very good.
(4)
Chiemi N.
Vita Cafe was more of a 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because they offer a wide variety of creative vegan/vegetarian dishes. A tip: don't confuse Vita Cafe for Caffe Vita that is about a block away. Lucky for me, I was a little early for a breakfast I was hosting, and I was able to secure a table for my party of seven. I had been having a craving for biscuits and gravy. That used to be one of my breakfast favorites. I have given up pork, so no more biscuits and gravy from most of the breakfast joints I frequent. I did a search of places that have vegan biscuits and gravy, and Vita Cafe came up. I was a little disappointed with my biscuits and gravy, the gravy was like a brown gravy instead of the country gravy I had been craving. I know I've had vegan gravy similar to the country gravy that I was seeking...I need to remember where! The other breakfasts that my fellow diners ordered looked delicious, so I am inclined to go back and try again! Oh, another tip: I thought this cafe was strictly vegan or vegetarian, but I discovered they serve bacon and meat sausage, so you can bring your omnivore friends here! The picture I am posting is my fellow diner's breakfast!
(4)
Randy S.
We've only gone for breakfast, but everything I've had here is amazingly good. We try to make it a weekend ritual. If you're looking for good quality vegetarian and/or vegan grub, check this place out. I've also noticed they usually have pretty good beer on tap as well. Word to the wise, if you don't want to wait for a table at breakfast, get there before 9am (which is true for any decent breakfast joint in PDX).
(5)
Kim J.
This is one of my regular neighborhood spots. Yes, I'm vegetarian, which as we all know is an old Indian word for "bad hunter." As with any place you go, you'll like it more if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Here's a few hints of what to expect: - Good food, much of it veggie or vegan, at a reasonable price. - Authentic wait staff, by which I mean they're being themselves and you might just find out if they're having a challenging day at work (don't we all?). You'll also know if they're having a great day, and your day will probably be brightened as a result. - Their menu is eclectic, but seems to have a basis in diner/American fare, with a veggie/vegan twist of course. - In my experience they're usually fairly busy around mealtimes (it's always reassuring when a restaurant has diners in it) but rarely are they packed. I recommend this place for both the food and for the atmosphere. Not a five star, but a solid four.
(4)
Lance B.
Excellent - I can't say enough about this place. The vegetarian cheeseburgers and fries are awesome. Everything is. The veggie chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is awesome. I love it all. Their house drinks are great. The staff is always excellent. The prices are right where they should be. Check it out...
(4)
Vincent R.
This place is pretty great. I mean, I eat here anywhere from 2 to 10 times a month, so I'm obviously a fan. If you've ever been to Chicago Diner, think of this place as slightly less variety with the menu, throw in a decent amount of real animal meat options, add a Portland twist on the service and you get this place. It's great because it's like high-er quality diner food with some healthy options and some meat options. A good place for people that are afraid of vegetarian food. A great place to bring a meat eater because they can order a hamburger and I can order the buffalo tofu wings (The Buffalo Things are like this super addicting, probably unhealthy, tofu thing that's marinated in a sauce that must have some sort of addictive substance in it), lentil soup and a fried tempeh steak all in the same place. If you have a partner that eats meat and you don't, this place can be a great band-aid on a strained relationship, unfortunately the band-aid always ends up falling off. Wow this just got dark fast. haha Like most places in Portland you never really feel like anyone working here is excited that you just walked in, but that doesn't mean the service is bad or the people are rude. It's always prompt and efficient. You'd think the staff was being curt, but really that's just how it is here, it's like a nicer version of curt. I secretly love that about the place, I can read a few articles of the NY Times or the WSJ on my smartphone or my laptop, take my time eating and forget I'm even in a restaurant. It's nice. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I feel like on Sundays it's really the only place I can go to that doesn't have a 2 hour wait list, so I love coming for a nice brunch and Mimosa. The place has a good mix of straight couples in their 50's who drive a Prius who just had their first baby, as well as hipsters, anarchists, and then the occasional random chick who accidentally ended up here because she thought she was meeting her match.com date at Caffe Vita (a coffee shop with the inverse name a block away.) If you're down for some casual vegan/veg comfort food check this place out. If your'e dating or friends with a heathen that still eats meat, this is the place for ya as well. Enjoy!
(4)
J H.
Great all vegatarian menu.. raw food dish also. Very good amount for price....much better deal then snooty place next door.
(5)
Gina B.
So you decided to give yourself a tip on a to go order? Could not believe the nerve of some people. Giving themselves tips on a to go order! **Warning!** Watch your receipts and compare them to your bank statement. These guys like to give themselves tips when you get to go orders. Who knows what they do when you sit down to eat there. On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, I checked my bank statement and saw that my card was charged an additional $2. Both my other co-worker checked their receipt and bank statement again. They too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. I called to speak with a manager (Ryan) and get it corrected on my card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before saying they would adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. Vita, your food was AWESOME but your service and the scamming drove me and my co-workers away. I will make sure that this is viewed here and Facebook. Get your act together people!
(1)
Madame M.
I finally was able to visit Vita and it was not too shabby. Good 1. Parking was easy to find (strange for Alberta) 2. Large Menu 3. Tasty Veggie Burgers 4. Nice local artwork on the walls Bad 1. Loud as everything in there. PLEASE, if you have an already crowded restaurant, TURN OFF THE MUSIC! People go to restaurants to eat and enjoy the company they are with or have a nice meal in peace. If I want loud music, I will go to a nightclub. Shouting at my lunch guest is not a relaxing experience. 2. Kind of lame when fries (which were oil sponges) are a separate charge from burgers and sandwiches. Most restaurants sell those together. 3. Service was lackluster. Not very personable and they messed up on our order and were snarky about it. With a few tweaks they could be awesome. Then again, no restaurant is perfect. I will give it another try, just will bring my earbuds.
(3)
Miranda O.
I saw other reviewers say they wanted to give this place less stars for the service, but caved because they like the food. If I wanted delicious food, but didn't want to take service into account, I'd eat at home. This used to be one of my all-time favorite places to eat when I first became vegan. Presently, I've been vegan for about 3 years, and now that Dovetail isn't next to Vita Cafe anymore, it's lost a lot of its initial appeal for me. They serve breakfast until 3 PM, which is pretty awesome. I like the Faux Turkey Florentine, Vegan Breakfast Burrito, and anything smothered in that almond gravy of theirs. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap, Vegan Club, and Veggie Burger are good for lunch or dinner. Having said all that, I don't plan on going back here. I used to come very regularly with my boyfriend and, with just the two of us, the service was usually okay. The staff is usually nice, but some are not super attentive when it comes to refills or getting a check. Over time, the service and food have become very inconsistent. Even though the setting suggests that they would encourage you to bring large groups there (big booths and a bar), every single time we've had to split a check with more than three people it's been a huge ordeal. The server will always make some sort of comment about it before hovering over the register for 15 minutes with at least 2 other employees. This used to be my go-to spot for eating with omni friends and family because they offer salmon, beef burgers, bacon, real cheese, and eggs. Unfortunately, every time I brought someone, something went amiss. The server would seem visibly put off by something or the food would be inconsistent and would take a long time. In conclusion, the food is pretty good if you know what to order, but there are better places to spend your money.
(3)
Wyndra A.
I appreciate the options. Their mixed drinks are dynamic. The prices are pretty good. I always expect more from the food. It looks beautiful but when I get it it's always over spices in someway. The salsa for example overwhelms whatever it's on. Their gravy which I am a connoisseur of is way to salty and otherwise lacking. But today I had the BEST server!!! I always appreciate the skills of a good server but this lovely human was beyond, a Master of service! Her name is Shannon and she wears glasses and she is a reason to eat at the Vita Cafe!
(4)
Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Some dishes are amazing. Some are not at all. Depends what you get. Best vegan nachos in Portland. Worst cheesesteak ever- It's mostly bread. This place is less good version of The Chicago Diner.
(3)
Vi E.
Delicious! I'm not vegan but I've been a couple times and am so pleased. I've had the caeser salad both times which was very saucy and has a LOT of croutons, but its very good. Both times I went during happy hour which is all Wednesday night I believe. I've had a Mojito and the Blue Jay. Both delicious and recommended! The mac and cheese is gooey, cheesy and delicious. and the vegan gumbo is awesome! Good service, little slow some times but worth the wait. I will be back! They also had a full case of vegan desserts. I will have to try the key lime cheesecake (raw) next time!
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!!! This is a fabulous place for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike... Went for the first time today (finally!) and met my Dad for lunch. I ordered the vegan club, which was amazing and he ordered the Reuben w/ tempeh and real Swiss cheese, he said it was good and different LOL! We shared a basket of humongous fries and dipped them into the homemade vegan ranch dressing ~ so good! Also, we used some of the homemade Dijon mustard for our sammies which has the most perfect amount of kick to it. The show stopper? Their "quick pickled cucumbers" ~ OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! But sadly, they do not sell them :o( Wait staff was wonderful and very helpful. The location is actually much larger than I was expecting and pleasantly surprised with how available street parking was. Overall, exceptional experience and will most certainly be making return visits!
(5)
Gregory Z.
I had a great Reuben sandwich that came with some homemade tasting pickles. Good service.
(4)
Elizabeth R.
The only thing that this place has going for it, is it's mostly vegan. The food isn't great, the portions are small and it's over priced. Throw in a snobby server and you have the perfect hipster vegan restaurant. Its a good place if you want vegan and a drink but don't expect great food and be prepared to spend more than what the food and drink is worth.
(3)
Tommy T.
Vita cafe is a great choice for lots of options on the menu, probably most all of them being delicious in their own way. I've had many things on the menu like the mac and cheese, the fishwich, the salmon burger, the lemongrass noodles, etc. My girlfriend and I agree that their fries are some of the best in Portland, if not the best we've had thus far. They seem to be pretty busy most of the time, so that usually speaks for itself. If you're looking to get the service you might have at a high scale restaurant or Outback, this is probably not your cup of tea. You're not going to have a bubbly idiot for a server, but you will have someone who will bring you what you want if you ask for it, and make sure you get your food in a timely manner. I will be eating here in the future for sure, because it has always been a good choice so far and it's nice to have a place with reliable food. My girlfriend is vegetarian, and she likes how many choices she can have for amazing food. Because she always lets me try her food, I think the veggie dishes are delightful. A perk for Portland.
(5)
Lili K.
Some of my favorite dishes, in order: -Seitan Fajita Platter: A lot of food, and great for sharing! -Lemongrass Noodle Bowl: Tastes better than the menu makes it sound -Vegan Reuben There are some disappointing items on the menu, but the hits make it worth coming back for. And take advantage of $5 Wednesdays! $5 dinner for certain entrees and sandwiches (check the chalkboard). I usually eat here after 7:30pm on weekdays and I've never had to wait for a table.
(4)
Chels J.
A brunch menu that can satisfy meat eaters (you can sub real bacon for the faux meat options), vegetarians, and vegans alike. My vegan friend loved the "eggs" florentine (she had tofu in place of eggs). The rest of our table each ordered the country comfort. The potatoes were quite good, and I love me some biscuits and gravy - but my goodness was this gravy salty!! And my poached eggs were just a tad undercooked. Also, the biscuits were quite dense, like they needed to be cooked a little more to fluff up a bit. I'm not sure if they were the vegan biscuits or not, I wasn't asked for an option so they might have been. I wanted to run over quickly to Pine State Biscuits and substitute those biscuits into this dish. Sorry Pine State, I won't cheat on you again. Lesson learned. Good option though if you're vegan, since Pine State isn't exactly vegan friendly.
(3)
RJ H.
The tale of two Portland s...Meat and Meatless....We're Vegan but we're flexible .....seitan or real bacon....you choose. and that's what I like about the Vita. Their are days where Vegan suits me just fine and there are others where I just want a real BLT ..... Seat yourself...there's always seems room at the bar ....The wait staff friendly and fit the description of" Vegan Restaurant" nicely. Come on ...Tempah and free range beef burgers on the same menu???? Brilliant.! The Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese ( and choose real fries or steamed Broccoli ....your choice.) A decent wine and beer option......go with one of their rotating drafts ( seems to change a bit often so you'll need to ask or go hipster PBR- Tall boy). I love options and this little restaurant provides the best of both worlds ... whether you are steeped in Portland or just stepped off the plane from Dallas TX., you'll come away satisfied.
(4)
Greg B.
Not a whole lot that hasn't been said already. Always friendly service, great food and coffee, and a consistently good, if small tap list. highly recommend it!
(5)
Kelly B.
I went here with friends on my first visit to Portland for Saturday dinner during President's Day weekend. I had the 'Flamin' Tempeh, Broccoli & Carrots($9.50): steamed broccoli, carrots, jicama, red onions and organic tempeh with sweet ginger hoisin sauce over brown rice. It was delicious, the first time I've seen tempeh on a restaurant menu (which made me very happy!), the atmosphere was quiet and we had attentive service. I highly recommend.
(4)
Amanda B.
I've been going to the Vita Cafe regularly for 7 years. Great vegan food, plus they have options for my meat/dairy-eating friends & family. They make a good, strong margarita and have a solid selection of beers. My husband has several food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy), and they accommodate him, no problem. You can ask to see the ingredients list if you're concerned about allergens. They are kid-friendly, and a couple of times we've had groups of about 10 people there for dinner & had them push together a couple of tables for us, though there isn't a ton of room for larger groups. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is fun & relaxed. They have daily specials that have been excellent every time I've ordered one. I'll continue to be a regular and will always bring my out-of-town guests to the Vita!
one of my favorite vegan eats in portland. every time i think i have found my favorite item on the menu and that i will keep ordering myself the same delicious dish until the day i die... i somehow convince myself to try something new. and i'm always thrilled that i did. some of my favorites: vegan club sandwich. faux turkey florentine. and anything with the almond gravy is exquisite.
(5)
Reymond D.
Vita Cafe is one of my favorite places to chow the f#ck down in Portland. They do vegan food RIGHT! It's just vegan comfort food at its best - delicious and filling. The first time we ate at Vita we brought veggie friends from out of town here and we all lost our goddamn minds. We were passing around each other's plates and freaking out how good the food was. It was the kind of shameless pigging out that you can't even stop from happening. I think the favorite I've tried is the vegan chicken fried steak. I was skeptical at first but woa. It's some kind of wonderful. The service is good - attentive, pretty friendly. Nothing over the top to write home about, but nothing bad or off-putting either. If you are looking for bomb vegan food, this is the spot!
(5)
Amy G.
Something for everyone here. We are a family of 2 vegans and 2 vegetarians and Vita Cafe is one of our mainstays. Breakfast is simply awesome, and dinner is a range of comfort foods and more unique offerings. We even bring our carnivorous family here when they visit... A few organic meat options for die hards like them!
(5)
Sophia T.
I had a delish mate and vegan benedict that I enjoyed thoroughly. sweet staff. lots of vegan choices which rocks.
(3)
Katherine M.
We went there during a last Thursday, and it was, unsurprisingly, very busy. However, our party of four got seated very promptly. The wait was around 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad, considering the amount of people in there. I got the chicken fried steak and the bf got the seitan cheesesteak. Tempeh is probably my least favorite vegetarian protein, but I still like to try it when I go eat out since I just want to see if someone actually manages to make it taste good to me. Vita Cafe managed to make tempeh taste pretty good to me, although deep frying it probably helped. The mashed potatoes that came with it was nothing special though. It was kind of bland and dry. The same goes with the gravy. It had a weird taste to it, although it probably was just because it was the first time I've had almond gravy. My boyfriend's cheesesteak was pretty good. It was a nice, and very convincing, alternative to real cheesesteak. Service was nice and prompt. We'll maybe try out their other menu items the next time we're in the Alberta area.
(3)
Emma V.
This is a great option if you have omnivores, herbivores and vegans all trying to eat together. They have great breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Super casual. Full bar. They open the windows when the sun is out, which makes up for the lack of patio.
(4)
Shannon M.
One of my favorite places to eat when I visit Portland. Almost everything is vegan and only once did I get something I didn't like, the turkey florentine, and that's only because I'm not a fan of nutritional yeast which it is clearly full of. The nachos are amazing! The fish and chips taste like fish! Love love love this place. Breakfast time? Get the biscuits and gravy ;) You're welcome.
(5)
Kelsey R.
I recently visited this restaurant because of a positive review in Portland Monthly. I went with someone who is lactose-intolerant because the magazine highly rated their vegan mac and cheese. It was alright, but it just tasted like noodles with sauce instead of anything like mac and cheese. I got the mushroom and onion burger. I was pleasantly surprised to see some meat on their menu. When the burger came however the patty itself was really rather small. The person I was with thought it was a portobello mushroom. It tasted fine - there was just little to it. We were extremely hungry when we arrived, and left still pretty hungry and made a trip to Popeye's. The waitress was nice and the service overall was decent.
(1)
Maddie B.
Terrible service, just ok food and very pricey for what you get. Fries are an undercooked mess, egg scramble was over cooked and not impressive. They waitress charged us twice for everything gave us the bill then never returned. We ended up having to hunt someone down to fix the bill and pay. This is a place to walk right by. If you want amazing vegan food go to And Cafe or Portobello.
(1)
Patti F.
Yes, vegetarians love this place - including me. Where do I begin - well, first I waited to go here at least twice before I decided to write a review. My first experience was SO great, that I wanted to be sure and went back again for dinner, and then again for breakfast, and then again for dinner...you get where I'm going here. I am now a regular, and will remain. The menu is quite lengthy - for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu. AND if you want "real" meat (hack, barf, spew) - they actually have that on the menu too (which I obviously haven't and won't be trying). So, this is not exclusively vegetarian/vegan - they will give you "real" meat if you insist - but who does that at a Vegetarian place, hmm? I've had the buffalo things - and SO happy I tried them. Tofu sticks covered in buffalo sauce. Why is this a big deal? Because I've never had "real" buffalo wings, for obvious reasons, so I was really excited to finally taste "buffalo sauce" - YUM! I've had the chicken fried steak (tempeh), mashed potatoes with almond gravy (V, GF) and I keep ordering it. I've had the Thai pasta - great! I've had multiple salads, sides, breakfast, etc. and enjoyed it every time. My ONLY gripe (which is likely based upon my own misunderstanding) - when there is a wait, and the bar is empty...I don't get why we end up waiting an hour (staring at the open bar), to finally have our name called....and sit at the bar (which remains empty except for us sitting there). This has happened twice now, at dinner and breakfast - and I just don't get it. Perhaps it's a server issue - and if they're buried they don't want to serve the bar, but twice now that's exactly where they've offered to seat us...and frankly I would have sat there and avoided the hour wait.
(4)
Lisa H.
I've eaten here probably three times due to it's convenient location and vegan food. However the total package is not enough to make me make this a favorite place. It is a good place to go for a diverse food crowd, due to having both meat and veggie options. It seems that they are pretty kid friendly too, so it would be a good place for the littles. I've tried the buffalo tofu wrap a couple times. Pretty good- I absolutely love breaded tofu skin. It's also pretty good sized to fill me up. I've also had the supergreen salad, which while tasty, was too drowned in dressing and didn't contain enough quinoa for my liking. The ambiance is pretty cool and comfortable. The road sign decor matches with the road sign recycling bins on Alberta street. However, every time I've been there the service has been inattentive and slow. Like last night, my group had to put our name on a list, and we were number three. Within a few minutes, three tables had opened up, but it still took us 15 minutes to be seated. Not cool. Would I go there again? Sure, if I had plenty of time set aside. But it wouldn't be at the top of my list of favorite places on Alberta. I'd be interested in trying their sister restaurant Natural Selection, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
(3)
Kirsten H.
This is one of my favorite brunch places and I am a meat lover! Some people might shy away from it because it is mostly vegan and vegetarian but the soy "meat" products are delicious. I love getting the Faux Turkey Florentine, the almond gravy is to die for. While sometimes there are long waits its usually worth it and the service is good. I will continue to go there often.
(4)
Tyler A.
Oh I did. I was in a terrible mental state but one of my besties in the entire world was visiting and all the rich food we had in Seattle was killing her. I ate to soothe my wounded heart but she was about to have a heart attack! So I sat down begrudgingly at this vegetarian joint, then saw the menu. What? What? Normal non-veg options? I still needed to drown my sorrows so she had a kale salad while I had full dairy nachos, grass fed beef burger with bacon and a farm fresh egg, with a side of fries. The fries were the size of small tree branches!!! (It was an emergency! I swear I needed all this!) I couldn't even finish my burger, well, the nachos were flipping amazing. That got my bestie too. Kale salad to the wind, the tasty nachos were topped with cheese, beans, guac and sour cream, and to make my carbo loaded dreams come true, Mexican rice! It was divine and more than enough for 4 people as a main course. I triumphed in this veggie joint. So the moral of this story is if you are consoling a omni-whorish best friend and still want to keep your figure, bring them here. There are ample and delicious options for everyone. Oh and to top it off, service is f*cking awesome! Timely, gracious, friendly - and you can't say that too often here in PDX! 1 star docked cuz my egg was not runny. I know I'm a hard bitch to please!
(4)
Taryn E.
Super YUM vegan club!
(5)
Jon T.
Vita Cafe was one of the better vegan-oriented places in Portland. In some ways, it reminded me of Herbivore in the bay area, though Vita Cafe is not all vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter.) It had a lot of comfort-type foods and I can surely say after eating an appetizer, club sandwich, and beer, I was more than comforted for the rest of the night. Recommend going here for a funky atmosphere, good beer, and not so healthy vegan food.
(4)
Chelsea S.
GET THE BREAKFAST BURRITO! It's HUGE and delicious. You won't leave unsatisfied. A tip for if you order fries, they come in a big enough basket to share. So if it's just you I'd ask for half (unless you want a whole basket of fries to yourself that is!) The only complaint I have is that when it get's busy, it's hard to flag down a server when you need them. Otherwise, excellent.
(4)
Carol A.
Delicious vegan options. Good cocktails and the best vegan Italian sausage sub I've ever had.
(5)
Sierra D.
I have never had a bad experience at vita. Plus the customer service is already super rad. The food is superb and great for the price. If you're looking for some feel good American vegan food eat here!
(5)
Lady L.
Fantastic, healthy breakfast. Mediocre, overpriced lunch. Great atmosphere, cool art on the walls, very cozy. Go for breakfast!
(3)
Demi F.
On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. While on the phone placing my order, I asked the server a few questions regarding the menu and ingredients that were not specified on the menu for one item. When I asked her about the ingredients of the Daily Vegan Soup, located on the menu, she breathed heavy with a sigh and said, " the base of the soup has a red color, so I'm guessing it has a tomato base." With the attitude and tone of voice she used, I did not ask further questions about that soup. I ordered the Nachos and the 3 Bean Chili. I was asked if I would like the corn muffin or the onion bread with my order. I asked which item taste better in her opinion and she again sighed, stating she would choose the bread. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, my co-worker checked her bank statement and seen that her card was charged an additional $2. Both myself and our other co-worker checked our receipt and bank statement again. We too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. One co-worker called to speak with a manager and get it corrected on her card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. It's very unfortunate that we received that kind of service for a restaurant that has good and healthy food.
(2)
Cheyenne C.
so I came here not even a little hungry and ordered the country breakfast with tofu, veggies, and potatoes and I finished my plate. I have never had biscuits and have and now I'm there #1 fan. veggies were lovely as well as the tofu. The potatoes were exploding with flavor. clean nice place.
(5)
Eve K.
Great tasting, healthy food. Very friendly - although kind of slow - service. Worth the long wait for brunch on weekends.
(4)
Min Min T.
Chick'n fried steak is awesome. I don't really understand how it's a breakfast food but the biscuits and almond gravy rocks. I would eat everything and anything that that gravy touches. Brown rice was also great quality and tasty. My only suggestion is that there should be some greens or fruit to balance the meal out.
(4)
Devon D.
Revised review: the menu options are still great. The food is usually delish, though I did witness a friend's burger come out looking and tasting like a charcoal briquette with no offers of a replacement meal forthcoming by the surly waitress. Overall, the service is pretty sub-standard. A few of their people are hardworking folks who know what it means to work in the service industry; the rest leave a lot to be desired. Pity they pool the tips.
(2)
Lilac L.
We came to Vita's for dinner following an afternoon cask fest, some of us over-sunned from the long walk over, some of us 1 beer too many, and one of us fresh from the tattoo parlour. We got exactly what we wanted at the time. What did we all want? We wanted vegan choices. We wanted comfort food. We wanted to relax and be casual. Feeling indecisive, I ordered a side kale salad, a side of mashed potatoes with almond gravy, and a cup of Thai coconut soup (the focaccia bread slice was soooooo good). All good. Try the Buffalo Things! My partner ordered them and I hesitated being excited about them at first, feeling like I was reaching my fill of fake meat for the weekend, but while the Buffalo Things emulate the bright orange colour and unique seasoning of buffalo wings, they are essentially long rectangles of tofu served with vegan ranch dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a little for a table. We came during dinner rush and had to wait 5-10 minutes. Not bad at all, considering how amazing the food is.
(5)
Lizzy P.
So much to choose from as a gluten free vegetarian! I got Tempeh chicken fried steak and it was great! Super cute neighborhood. Would love to return again when I find myself in Portland :)
(5)
Crystal R.
I am so jealous of Portlanders and the plethora of vegan breakfast options that await them even on weekdays. Vita Cafe has a great vegetarian and vegan friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner array. I have been twice for breakfast and was not disappointed. The almond gravy is soooo good. I've had it on the country fried tempeh and on perfect vegan biscuits and it is delicious! I almost ordered the country fried tempeh on my second visit, but wanted something that felt a little more healthy, so I ordered the Denver tofu scramble with potatoes and it too was great. I love that their tofu scramble is cubed tofu and not a tofu mush like most places I order it at. Between Vita and Juniors, I wish I could fly to Portland whenever my friends want to do brunch. St. Pete is seriously lacking in vegan breakfast options.
(5)
Amy L.
Great vegan bar and comfort food. What more can I say. When my craving for greasy food hits I'd return here again and again. My favorites are the faux turkey reuben. Great selection of microbrews. Nice dessert selection Cons: Service a bit slow
(4)
Dana G.
Had a surprisingly nice dinner at Vita with a group of six! Waiter suggested lasagna (couldn't make up my mind - too many good looking, healthy looking vegetarian options) It arrived with a little side salad (sweet!) Tasted a delicious glass of sangria (maybe should have ordered one) Two pitchers of water on the table, No sign of grumpiness when we were last to leave, And the carrot cake slice was widely loved and shared.
(4)
Paige Z.
This is good if you are a vegan. They make the most delicious vegan comfort food. They also sell really delicious vegan desserts
(5)
Aaron P.
As many of the other reviews have already mentioned, the staff at Vita Cafe are not the most efficient and organized bunch. I went with three other people on a Saturday evening so it was pretty busy. We waited about 20 min for a table, which was not so bad for a Saturday night. The annoying thing was that there was an empty table for four open for 10 min before someone finally realized they could put us there. They have a good sized menu that can accommodate most peoples dietary needs which is awesome. The prices are also decent. I wasn't blown away by any of the food but it was good for what it was. I would consider going back sometime.
(3)
Jade B.
Adore this spot and just about everything I have tried (many many things).
(5)
Gabrielle H.
Day 20 of my 21 day Daniel Fast was so extra special, so extra crunchy, and so extra spicy because of my visit to Vita Cafe! One of my best girlfriends and I headed there to accommodate my rather limited diet, and even though she's a full on carnivore, we both left with very full tummies and happy hearts! I ordered the BBQ Tofu Wrap with extra buffalo sauce on the side & a small order of Thai coconut curry soup. My friend ordered the "Chicken" fried steak (it was actually seitan!) with mashed potatoes and a delectable almond gravy. We had an absolute food blast! The ambience is casual, chill and the service is top notch. I hear they have rockin raw/vegan desserts too! That was the day I fell in live with PDX, and oh I can't wait for my return...
(5)
Jessica Y.
I am not a vegetarian... or a vegan... not even close. BUT I have nothing against people who are, and I am also a big fan of tofu. I was perusing the Albert District on a Sunday, and had some time to eat lunch. Vita Cafe caught my eye on Yelp due to the great reviews (don't accidentally go to Caffe Vita... which I did, and ran out of). Once I arrived, there was really nooone guiding me where to go. I figured out (monkey see, monkey do) that guests have to sign in themselves (no real host/hostess). It seemed like there were a lot of empty spots at the bar before I got seated (party of 1). Anyway, I finally got my seat, and I ordered the buffalo wrap, and man - it was tasty! I mean, I could totally tell that it wasn't chicken, but I did not mind one bit. I would love to go back and try some of their other items. I can see why this is a favorite spot; would've gotten 4 stars if it hadn't been for the spotty service at the door.
(3)
Ellie B.
Holy seitan, I love this place. We came for a late lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the buffalo tofu wrap and keep wishing I could have it every day. Now that I am 1700 miles away, I might have to try to make a version at home. Sigh. I also ordered the Ginger Rogers drink - it is minty, gingery goodness. My Greek salad was good but my friend's Caesar was even better. The staff was friendly and attentive and checked in on us at the right moments while also being unobtrusive.
(4)
Christa D.
I love this quirky place. We drive down from Seattle and our first restaurant we go to is Vita Cafe. The drinks are great and I love the fish sandwich, which is breaded tofu and is so yummy. The fries are awesome! We usually end up going here a few times on our trips because it is so good. Breakfast is also great.
(5)
Olivia T.
We had buy 1 entree get 1 entree 50% off coupon from Chinook Book. We decided to try this place for dinner. There were family with kids and apparently kids eat free there. I think that's super cool. We got a table right away. I ordered the Vegan burger and Jesse ordered a Buffalo Cikin wrap. Our food were good. Nothing special, but nothing bad. Their fries are steak fries style and just my personal choice, I love the skinny fries better than the steak fries. Good food. Good service. The three stars sums it up. It's A-Ok place. Nothing stand outs, but sometimes it doesn't need to.
(3)
Tim A.
Oh my, the Lasagna is so fine. I love to dine out where I have several choices on the menu, and this place has that. My wife loves the Thai Coconut soup and the super grain salad. Their corn muffins are really good.
(5)
Dylan R.
Vegan gluten free chicken fried steak is amazing as are the corn cakes. Sometimes the service is kinda rough, in that typical Portland way so I haven't left too offended. I wish places would ditch Stumptown for some of the other great coffee roasters around. I wanted to give three stars in acknowledgement for some of the service experiences but the food is so good and the service is ok most of the time and not terribly offensive so four it is.
(4)
Misha A.
Yummy, but about what I'd expect in Seattle -- including margarine that had butter in it. Still happy with the "chicken"-fried tempeh and spoonsful from a friend's bowl of rice porridge.
(4)
Kpc S.
I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant whatsoever. Their food / vegan options were amazing and the servers were very nice. Highly recommend them!
Large, delicious menu. Wicked deals on Tuesdays!!! An absolutely amazing buffalo tofu wrap!! Great servers and good breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)
Inna B.
This might sound crazy, but I *love* my Campbell's tomato juice, and this is just the tomato juice they serve. THANK YOU! I was in Portland and we were looking for a vegan/gluten-free friendly breakfast joint. This is the spot that stood out for having both of those options, so this is where we went. It was quite busy at about noon on Sunday morning (also Mother's Day), but we were able to get a spot at the bar (or a table, it was our choice) in about 5 minutes. To drink he had the fruity smoothie with tofu, which was pretty good, and I had two glasses of tomato juice. I love that stuff! From my first sip I was pretty sure it was my favorite kind (Campbell's), and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the waitress pour two cans into my second glass. We both had the PDX breakfast with tempeh (instead of egg or tofu). He had brown rice and a gluten-free corn(?) bread as his side and bread, and I had the potatoes and sourdough. The tempeh and potatoes were pretty tasty (I enjoyed their hot sauce option!), and rather similar looking. It was pretty strange to me to get a plate of what looked like almost all one thing. I still got really full, though, and really enjoyed that sourdough toast. I'm not sure why exactly, but it was quite possibly the best tasting sourdough I've ever tried. We also got a side of veggie patties, which kind of reminded me of falafel. They were a bit crispy/hard, but pretty good. Our total before tip was about $21. The waitress we had didn't seem very friendly or interested in us, but she took our order and brought us food, so I guess she did her part. I'd definitely go back again, and would love to try their lunch options!
(4)
Rob C.
I've gone to Vita Cafe off and on for a while now, and each time I find that the actual experience is less impressive than memory leads me to believe. It's not bad - especially for a cafe that specializes in vegan and gluten-free food, but it's not as good as it could be. The service is always a little too hipster (i.e., a little too cool for school) and the place itself has a slightly schizo feel to it, as if the staff isn't well trained. Or at least isn't trained in efficiency. The food is decent, especially considering a lot of it seems made in-house. The vegan sausage I had was more hockey puck-like than I loved, and the gravy was more like mushroom flavored glue. But their Thai corn cakes were pretty killer, and the coffee is nice and strong. However, last time I checked, salt and most spices are vegan/GF, so feel free to use a little more. I do appreciate having vegetarian-friendly options for breakfast (not there's anything wrong with bacon), and this will remain on my "maybe" list for the future.
(3)
Ellen G.
I love any place where I can order anything on the menu. They do really solid fake meat here. The food never blows me away, but is reliably tasty and well-priced. Bonus: This is one of few places on Alberta where you can be seated promptly. Leave the Tin Shed for slow weekdays and come here on the weekend instead.
(4)
emily r.
I am sorry Vita Cafe. I have to average my past 5 star experiences and the 1 star experience I had the other night. The lasagna is AMAZING. Get it with both red sauce and pesto sauce. SUPER GOOD. The fries are wonderful. Get them seasoned! Super good drinks. But the other night, I ventured from my usual meal. I had vegan macaroni, and I have to say... it was absolutely inedible. The noodles were so overcooked they were mushy and the sauce tasted like someone threw a bunch of the overcooked noodles in a blender and poured them over the top. I almost sent it back, but we couldn't get the attention of our waitress... so. yeah. i just pushed it around on my plate and it was packed up to go before I could say "no!" Vegan mac and cheese can be really good if done right. I was really disappointed. Also, our service the other night was terrible. I was really sad because I brought my brother there to show him one of my fave restaurants. blah. I will still go back to Vita Cafe, but maybe I won't bring guests there, and I'll stick with my regular meal.
(3)
Anneka N.
This was my first nearly-vegan restaurant experience, and I really enjoyed it! The food and drinks were fun and delicious, and my boyfriend and I noticed lots on the menu that we want to go back to try. I should mention that until a little over a month ago he was a staunch meat-eater, but he got really excited about Vita's menu, and about his dinner in particular (fajita plate). Food and drinks are really reasonably priced, and good all around. Ambience is relaxed and artsy. Service, like others have pointed out, is not great. They don't greet you at the door, but instead have you write your name down on a waiting list, which is fine. But, I don't think a single person checked the list for the next 15 minutes, even though there were several couples waiting, and several open tables! It seemed like the staff chose to clean or set up the vacant tables only when they felt like it, doing a little here and there, then taking a break to take some orders and chat with guests who were already seated. This whole thing was mildly annoying, and probably sounds like a bigger deal than it actually was. Once we were actually seated, our server was great.
(4)
Mary G.
Best breakfast ever! I drive at least twenty minutes just to come out here and I am never disappointed. The staff rocks. The atmosphere is comforting while all the while relaxing and inviting. And the menu is full and plenty with amazing food just waiting to be had.What can I say, these guys have their shit together and they are ready to serve you nonstop awesomeness. Thanks for being here Vita Cafe!
(5)
Joe J.
I am religiously an omnivore, but, have to say, I had a great visit. It was a hangover Saturday, but, my meal (brunch special of corn cakes with SW style toppings platter) was awesome. It was quite memorable. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Madeline W.
I have been to the Vita Cafe many time over the past five years. I like that you can get healthy food and there are vegan, gluten fee, and traditional options. My favorite breakfast is the New Years Breakfast with a delicious corn cake and veggies. I went yesterday and I was very frustrated with the service and quality of food. My wife ordered the 2,2,2 breakfast and wanted to sub fruit cup for the French toast. The server said this would be too expensive and he would have to add to the price of the meal. So she got a tiny pile of plain scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and a small fruit cup with pineapple and grapes for $11.50 instead of the regular price of $9. I thought that was appalling.
(3)
Linda C.
Went there to meet up with friends over Sunday lunch. They are vegan and we are vegetarian so figured this place provided us all with lots of good options. The interior decor is laid back and casual with plenty of seating, and large windows across the front. The waitress who took our drinks order was polite but not very friendly and she didn't offer a smile. I ordered the Vita herbal tea and hubby ordered an IPA. Both were fine (well I think he enjoyed his a little more than I did mine). We ordered a Thai Corn Cake to share as a starter (sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup) which was interesting...kind of like a grits pancake but a little sweeter. It was big enough that we shared with all four of us. Next up, I ordered the Vegan Club Sandwich (organic tempeh 'fakin', homemade faux turkey, vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread) and hubby ordered the Greek Scramble (feta cheese, spinach, tomato and red onion). Hubby said his was nice, nothing special but enjoyable. I devoured my Club Sandwich - although messy to eat, it was really tasty. Overall, I think we'd venture back again sometime since there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.
(3)
Dani G.
Very delicious cocktails and food. I ate the Buffalo wrap and club sandwich. Both were very tasty. They have a habanero margarita that is on point. All of their cakes look delicious but I was too full to try a slice. The red velvet and black forest looked the best. I'm not usually into meat substitutes but the meat on the club was so freaking good. The service is fast, friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Wolf L.
It's been a while since I actually got up and left a restaurant because it was taking so long to get some service. Arrived for breakfast and they weren't exceptionally busy. I got a cup of coffee when we were seated but 25 minutes later, no one had taken our order. People who arrived AFTER we did were getting their orders in and I was starting to get grouchy. My wife tried to wave a waiter down but was ignored. I guess we just didn't have enough tatts or something. Well, I had a wallet full of cash and I walked out the door without leaving any of it in Vita Cafe's register. I guess they're so rolling in dough that they don't need my cash. I did plunk down a couple of bucks for the coffee. We will never return. I'll also never patronize that new vegetarian place they opened next door, and I'll tell everyone I know to avoid this f**king place like the plague. Oh, yeah, then there's this well-deserved one star review. BOO-YAH!
(1)
Suzy K.
Fabulous menu for a vegetarian cafe! Excellent faux buffalo chicken, salads, soup, sandwiches - everything we had was delicious. Very nice, comfortable location and decor. We will definitely stop in again next time we are in Portland. Absolutely! But - only 4 starts because the servers seemed a bit .... not put out, I can't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't that they were snooty - maybe it was that the customer was kind of an afterthought? I don't know - we waited a long time for someone to come by and clear our table, we were waiting to ask for containers to take our leftovers. Then we waited a long time for the check to come (and it was not because the place was very busy). They were very nice when they came to the table - it was just as if they were getting around to remembering we were there - and it appeared the same for the other few tables of people in the joint. Really just a delicious dinner though!
(4)
Suzann B.
I hate waiting for no reason. You can watch the staff talk. They don't even bother with iced pitchered water, they bring over a pitcher of warm water and leave it. Like, why even tip, these people are not servers. The food is really like 3 different items served in three different ways over and over. I would rank it worse but its not that bad, and it really is what it looks like. Don't go here unless you are so cool you hate good customer service.
(3)
Loli L.
I almost made my doctor proud with my breakfast. I got the Vita scramble and loved it! I can never get enough veggies in the morning and for once I got them without having to peel off any disgusting avocado*. My eggs were happily cage-free (which always amuses my mom) and when it came down to pick either brown rice or potatoes, I had to go with the potatoes. Sorry, doc. It was so good! -and super reasonably priced. * My thoughts on avocados: yelp.com/biz/avocados-sa…
(4)
Katie M.
I love going to restaurants that can accommodate vegans/vegetarians, meat-eaters, and gluten-free folks. No-one has to compromise, everyone leaves happy. Vita is such a place, and the food and service are awesome. There are options for everyone-- not just one gluten-free or vegan dish, but several to choose from. Even when they're busy, service is typically fast and food comes out quickly. The servers are friendly and welcoming and quick to top off your bottomless coffee. This is a great place to take out-of-town visitors, as there is a definite "Portland" vibe without being pretentious or annoying.
(4)
Ainsley D.
I've been on the hunt for vegetarian soul food/southern comfort and it has been a struggle. While visiting Portland a friend had mentioned that Vita did some sort of "chicken" fried steak... First we had the buffalo things and they were the best hot wings I've had the pleasure of eating. For dinner I got the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy, but opted for their awesome fries instead of mashed potatoes. Delish!
(4)
Stuart F.
Vita Cafe is another establishment I visited in a short trip to Portland that makes an incredibly strong case for uprooting my life on the east coast and moving to this vegan utopia. Loved all the vegan options.
(5)
Elizabeth W.
Granted I have only been there twice and haven't tried many of the food options other then the vegan biscuits and gravy and the chicken fried steak, but i must say they were both absolutely delicious. I didn't know you could even make things vegan this good. The service was friendly and chill. I like places like this with a chill vibe and a good food. definitely my favorite place in portland and will definitely come back for a visit.
(5)
Matthew S.
One of the best vegan/vegetarian menus in town. The seitan cheesesteak is everything it should be. I recently had the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and went back the next day because it was SO GOOD. The only thing that's a little disappointing is the fries: they're a little mushy for me. I usually get takeaway, but the staff are pretty good about getting stuff done. I've always had a pleasant experience here.
(5)
Rebecca R.
We had out last Portland dinner here, and it was wonderful. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the menu is very diverse, and really offers something for everyone. We started with the buffalo "things" with vegan ranch, and they were SO good. My fiance isn't even a vegetarian, and I had to fight him for the last one (not really). He got the biscuits and gravy as an entree, which was a very generous portion, and I got the "chicken fried steak," which was tempeh served with mashed potatoes and all covered in the same gravy as his. This is where I wasn't as impressed. The gravy wasn't especially flavorful, nor was my tempeh. I would have liked a little more kick or something. All in all, a good experience, though, worthy of the 4 stars.
(4)
Andy B.
Don't let the casual decor and laid back atmosphere deter you- it fits right in with Alberta. Being a vegetarian, I'm glad I read the menu thoroughly because almost every dish has a vegetarian option. From the BLT to buffalo "wings" appetizer. Ask the server for any suggestions or any questions- they are friendly and are honest and knowledgeable. Vita is definitely in my short list of restaurants to repeat soon. Thanks!
(4)
Richard M.
I used to go to Vita fairly regularly years ago, and just fell out of habit for whatever reason. I returned today and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if I forgot how delicious everything was, or if they've fine-tuned their recipes, but each dish was impressive!
(5)
Katelynn P.
Great vegan cheeseburger and delicious mojito! Server was friendly but a little distracted. Only waited a bit for a table at 7:30 on a Friday night! Open air feeling but not super noisy. I noticed they had highchairs but active children might have trouble as there is not much space to roam without being right in the way.
(4)
Brian B.
Top 3 vegetarian/vegan food in town. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all great. Best vegetarian chicken fried steak I have ever had.
(5)
Aaron W.
I ordered the Seitan Cheese Steak ($7.50): sliced seitan (meat substitute) with sauteed peppers, sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, and melted pepper jack cheese on a baguette. All in all, a very good "cheesesteak." The seitan was moist and tender, a lovely substitute for the usual ribeye or top-round meat that a traditional cheesesteak would have. The sauteed vegetables were cooked perfectly, retaining a little crunch for a nice texture contrast. The pepper jack cheese provided the must-have gooey awesomeness in this sandwich. Nice flavors all around. For me, though, I felt this sandwich did not have enough filling...more seitan, cheese, and sauteed veggies, please! I also did not see a hot sauce option on Vita Cafe's menu, which could have added more dimension here (perhaps I'll ask or look harder next time). A good meal with good service, just not a mind-blowing experience.
(3)
Logan T.
The sad thing about this review is that the food was actually great, especially as a gluten free non-meat eater; however, our server made an ass out himself and destroyed my image of the meal. When he wouldn't put bacon in my friends' burrito, but couldn't provide a good explanation (just kept saying he couldn't), I knew we were off to a rough start. Then his kitchen forgot the toast for his meal until he'd almost finished the breakfast, rendering it useless. He also never came back to see how we were doing, a pet peeve of mine. By the end of the meal I wasn't thrilled about the experience, so we decided not to leave a tip since he hadn't earned it. How did he react? Well instead of taking this life lesson as a chance to improve, he ran after us as we left the restaurant demanding a tip. When we said he didn't earn it, he yelled at us and said to never come back...all in front of his staff and customers, yelling that "I don't work for free!" forgetting that we know he doesn't, minimum wage is still paid to him. I suggest that he look for non-tipping jobs if he's going to get so upset when he's called out for not being good at his job. Overall, good food bordering on great food, but TERRIBLE service if your waiter is a greasy haired whiner.
(1)
Daniel H.
I may have to give these guys another chance. I wasn't terribly impressed with my first trip. Went with my girlfriend here to meet some friends. Ordered the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy. Had almond gravy several times before but this was pretty bland. The steak was decent and the potatoes were good...just wished they had topped it better. And the prices were quite steep, even without fries or any other sides. Plus my stomach didn't feel so great following the dinner. Who knows for sure if Vita was the cause of that, but like I said, I may have to try again. Service was very friendly though and the place was clean and well-decorated.
(3)
Marcia S.
My Mexican Scramble was great, and the Nachos even met approval of a very fussy 13 year old BUT the Hamburger that was served to one of my guests was mouth dropping eye opening insulting! The patty was not much bigger than a frozen Jimmy dean sausage and I was not aware that they make buns that small, keep in mind I eat out 7 days a week due to my work. When I looked at the bill and saw that THAT plate with not even a chip was 8.00 I felt insulted. Very trendy, great service and what the Chef does well they do very well but if you want an all American Burger do NOT go there. Unfortunately the day we were there my son's pants were wet from the toilet leaking. As I said, what they do well it is great but they are having some growing pains!
(3)
Dave B.
As a person who travel a lot for work, I'm always on the lookout for a good Vegan meal. While in Portland this week I happened upon Vita Cafe. What an awesome little place. I ended up eating here two nights in a row for dinner, and even squeezed in a business lunch. The atmosphere is pretty casual and locals rule the joint, but I totally felt welcome. The food has been absolutely fantastic. If you are a starter type person, I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Things. These are the closest I've has to the "real" thing, and I loved them. For the dinners I've ordered the specials both nights. First was One Giant Burrito. It was stuffed with vegan chorizo and a little bit of love. Tonight was the veggie pot pie. Yummy! Both came in at $10 and the portions were humongous. At my lunch meeting I opted for the Cheez Steak sandwich. Pretty incredible in itself. Anyhow, food is delicious, portions are huge, and atmosphere is great. I'd give it five stars anytime and it'll be a regular stop for me every trip to Portland.
(5)
Juniper K.
So much yummy! They have great food that is gluten free and vegan and they have natural sodas, and yummy desserts, and the servers are generally friendly! The art is kinda silly sometimes. I really enjoy it and would recommend.
(4)
Bliss D.
I want to like Vita. I usually love low-key vegetarian/hipster hole-in-the-walls. But I don't. I don't like it and it makes me sad because I know the potential is there. Also, the hostess has fantastic swagger and looked stunning in her jeans and sparkly shirt. I ordered the huevos rancheros with tofu and fauxrizo. The red sauce that came on it totally overpowered the dish. It's all I could taste. It was so intense and distracting that I couldn't finish. My other half ordered a Thai corncake and I tried a bite. It tasted like I was chewing on the HABA section at Whole Foods. Way too much perfume and far too bland. It needed a tiny little kick of some kind. Not sure what, but it lacked pizazz. Also, this is minor, but our iced teas weren't refilled until the waitress brought over our check. They went empty for about 20 minutes. Sad face. I would go again if I was in the neighborhood and with someone else who wanted to go. I would order the veggie burger. If it was amazing I might reconsider the 3 stars. If not then I doubt I would ever go again.
(3)
Margaret R.
One of my favorite dinner spots in Portland. They have great options and even a couple with meat choices for non-vegetarian friends. My favorite is the vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with almond gravy! I miss old-fashioned comfort food and this is my vegetarian version of it! The service is great and the wait is never too long.
(5)
Chericka A.
The Thai coconut ginger corn pancakes with bananas were uniquely pleasing to the palate and a great dish to share. The veggie omelet was equally pleasing and the potatoes that accompanied were perfectly cooked to be crunchy on the outside while staying moist on the inside with just the right amount of salt. Service was slow because the waiter admitted our ticket slipped behind an appliance but we didn't mind the wait. The space was clean, lots of happy, hippy chatter and nice open windows allowed the summer morning air to keep it comfortable and bright.
(5)
Randy H.
Vegan chicken fried steak, cool vibe, yummy coffee, rad service. Love it
(4)
Rick H.
Vita has been a decent alternative for when my Vegan wife wants to have more then one or two menu choices and is tired of dealing with my decidedly pro-carnivore eating habits. In the past I have never really been impressed with them. I've had a variety of choices from the menu, from the BLT (bacon,) to the Vegan Chili, the Mac and Cheese (vegan,) Nachos (vegan,) Burger (Vegan and Beef,) Seiten Cheese Steak (Vegan,) and the 'Chicken' fried steak (Vegan.) Probably about a dozen visits in total over the years from when they were across the street to their new(er) location. Coincidently Vita is where I was introduced to Portland's own Aardvark Sauce. But today they really redeemed themselves with breakfast. We were headed to the Tin Shed, but arrived after 9am so found a 30+ Minute wait. Being hungry like, now, we kept cruising down Alberta peering in door after door and dodging long lines outside of places like Pine State. Neither of us knew that Vita was opened for breakfast, but decided to stop by after spotting the Open sign, and the lack of a line. I ended up having the Huevos Rancheros, a dish I fell in love with while in San Antonio and being forced to dine in cheap and dirty Mexican Diners. Even with out any beef or chorizo, this turned out to be one of the tastiest versions I've ever had. I can attribute this 100% to the Chili. Now as a Chili, their vegan Chili has always just been kinda "eh." But when covered with some salsa and eggs, it transcends mere inclusion as a gag in a Mel Brooks movie. The Corn Cakes are another great item. It takes a few bites to get around the fact that they're corn meal based, but once you do... holy cow! Them are some good 'cakes. There are several other breakfast menu items too, not to mention the standard eggs/meat/bread platter that you can get just about anywhere. Oh, and even though almond gravy sounds weird, the biscuits and gravy are actually quite good. Speaking of, the Almond Gravy is actually pretty good for breakfast. It doesn't work well on the 'Chicken' Fried Steak though, but on biscuits.... So if you're not 100% Vegan or at least willing to pretend to be, try to hit Vita up for Breakfast and avoid their lunch and dinner.
(4)
Tess H.
Amazing little restaurant! Just made the switch to vegetarian diet about 10 days ago and stopped in here for dinner last night. I ordered the "chicken" wings, chili, "chicken fried steak", and "fish" and chips. My husband is a huge carnivore and even admitted his fish and chips and wings were divine. The atmosphere is trendy, dim lit, warm, and the waitress was super awesome. Can't wait to go back and try some other entrees off the menu.
(5)
Tony T.
Came here a few months ago after a coworker recommended it. That's the last time I go with that person's recommendation. I had a Thai noodle dish with a peanut sauce, that was probably my first mistake. Why come here and have Thai noodles? Well, I go to the Cheesecake Factory and get the Thai Chicken Pasta and I love it (not claiming that to be authentic). I was in the mood for something sweet and tangy. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the dish, it tasted like noodles with sprinkled peanuts on it. Ambiance was nice but a pretty typical Portland restaurant type of set up, nothing too crazy. From what I hear, they do have a pretty extensive vegetarian menu so maybe that's why my coworker recommended it. Perhaps that was where I went wrong... I'm a crazy carnivore and I need meat. Some I suppose would love this place because of the selection and options, I did not.
(2)
Navi T.
I was hungry when I touched down at PDX and I had to do 3 things - find the place where I'm staying at, rent a bike for the day since mine was in transit from Oakland, and find my roomie. After I picked up my rental bike from Everybody's on 19th and and Going, I met with my roomie and we were roaming Alberta St which almost reminds me of Temescal back home. But enough of that. My roomie for the week is a vegetarian and I'm pretty open minded to that. I'm a pretty indecisive person but after roaming the streets for a while, we settled on Vita. And I think we made a fine choice. He had the vegan Reuben, I had the vegetarian cheesesteak with a side of fries to share. I can't speak for my friend, but my veggie cheesesteak was pretty damn good, how the seitan was prepared gave it a indistinguishable taste and feel like the real thing. I got almost reminded of a certain one I've enjoyed at Bender's in the Mission. The fries were good but nothing to write home about. We washed it down with a Ninkasi ale of which I don't remember. And the total for 2 with beer and NO TAX was around $21. Well done.
(4)
Shantesh P.
if you have those days where you cant have meat but wish you could have meat... Vita cafe is a good option. Chicken fried steak was delicious, satisfying. Buffalo tofu wrap was also worth trying out. The ambience was a cool hangout place for meeting friends and something unusual for Portland Visitors. I highly recommend!
After I pulled a hair our of my mouth, my husband spit out a huge chunk of clear, sharp plastic. No joke. I had the grossness of disentangling the hair from my food and mouth, and my husband, at the same time, had some sharp industrial plastic in his food. Other than that, the food's mediocre at best.
(1)
Kelsey J.
I've been to Vita Cafe twice for breakfast and was satisfied both times. The first time I ordered the Mexican-style corn cake which was delicious--made with roasted red peppers and topped with guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream. I normally don't like vegan sour cream because it tastes too much like the real thing--but this had a mild nutty flavor and didn't taste like it came from a package. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables, which were an excellent addition. I tasted the H.O.G. (Herb and Onion bread with vegan almond Gravy) my friend ordered, which was good also--and a half order was only $3! The second time I ordered steamed vegetables with lemon-tahini sauce on the side. The veggies were a mix of broccoli, purple cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower if I recall correctly. Neither too mushy nor overcooked; tasted great and even better with the lemon-tahini sauce (which is not on the breakfast menu; I ordered it off the lunch menu even though they hadn't begun serving lunch yet). It was cool that our server could accommodate this request. In general the service wasn't bad--a little inattentive when we wanted the check, but nothing to get upset about. Additional Pros: Good coffee, breakfast served until 3pm, lunch from 11am, and open late (until 10pm). Half orders/smaller portions are an option for the salads and soups, and also for a few of the breakfast items.
(4)
Dr. Bridghid M.
Plenty of options here for everyone. The staff are all great.
(5)
Shawn H.
I've reviewed this place a few times, still have the same complaint....service.
(4)
Zeb C.
Keep in mind I am not a vegan. So maybe the charm and quality of the food is lost on me. I got an egg scramble with veggies, and there was 1 carrot slice and 2 sad broccoli heads. The potatoes are so overly spiced that they taste like something you'd find at a fast food restaurant. The eggs were way overdone. The water glass was slimy, but the coffee was good. The folks with me are vegetarians and vegans and they claimed their chicken fried "steak" and vegetarian items were good. Our server had a shirt that was too short and pants that were low-cut, thus our view at the table was his pubic hair and groin. Maybe folks find this charming, but I found it gross. I won't be back.
(2)
Tara V.
I came to Vita Cafe with high hopes. My friends had given great reviews so I was expecting a solid, vegetarian dining experience. I was disappointed. First the positives: Atmosphere was pretty good, nice and laid back. Lots of vegan options on the menu, which was great. The challenge: It could have been just an off day for the chef, but all 3 dishes we ordered were extremely salty. We ordered huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy and corn cakes (at the recommendation of our waitress). We are thrilled that this vegan cafe exists and want to try again later to see if it was just the items we ordered.
(3)
Victoria R.
This place is amazing! I have been hearing about it for a few years and I just decided to try it last month. Now, I can't get enough! I'm a vegan and their food is fabulous, but my nonvegan friends love it here too. The bloody marys are great. I have been here for every meal and it's consistently killer. Their service is attentive without being overwhelming and they give excellent recommendations. I did get a weird look when I ordered raw cheesecake at 10am, but I regret nothing.
(5)
Dwayne L.
We're visiting from Brooklyn and were looking for a vegan brunch spot today. A couple of people mentioned this place and after reading all the great reviews on yelp, we decided to give it a try. The menu looked awesome, and so did most of the food, but when we actually started tasting it, we were pretty disappointed. The tofu (which replaces their eggs on request) here is minimally seasoned and tastes very bland. Not sure why they aren't preparing scrambled tofu like every other veggie place. It's so easy to make - just add turmeric and nutritional yeast. The biscuits and gravy were bland as well and missing something. Champs in BK adds tofu sausage, so maybe that could help. And finally, the French toast. It looked awesome but tasted very OFF. I realize it's made with sour dough bread but I've had it that way before and it's been good at other places, but here it tasted wrong. Weird after taste and the texture of corn meal? The only thing that helped me get through it was the overpowering cinnamon and maple syrup. Prob the strangest tasting French toast I've ever had. The staff seemed friendly, but I wouldn't eat the food here again.
(2)
Robyn A.
This place is a great way for folks to ease into the Vegan world, and offers so much for us Vegans to enjoy. I loved my grain salad with quinoa, as I love to eat mostly raw food. The Coconut soup was very tasty, but not even quite hot enough. (Temp wise) My husband ordered the Veggie burger with the grilled onions and had the chili on the side, and he very much enjoyed both, but he also said the chili wasn't up to serving temp. Service was very nice. and the place was hopping, we had to wait about 15 minutes to get a table on a Wednesday evening, so glad to see them get so much business. Prices are great! We will be back!
(4)
Kara D.
We arrived about 8pm on a friday night and the place was pretty busy. We stood at the sign that said "please wait to be seated" for about 5-10 minutes with no one even acknowledging us. Apparently there was a sign in sheet, but how were we supposed to know. At this point I was pretty pissed... When we finally got seated the waitress said it was her first day... Ok, so I'm not pissed at HER for ignoring us anymore. She was nice and got our orders correct, and the food was good and reasonably priced....
(4)
Pete L.
I may be somewhat unusual for a reviewer of this restaurant as I am someone that loves meat. Be it Kobe-style beef from Snake River Farms or fois gras, I'm a fan. However, it's hard to dispute the argument that incorporating more vegetarian and vegan food into our gustatory lives is a very good thing: it's largely better for the environment (yes, we use petrochemicals to fertilize grain to feed animals) and (not surprisingly) better for us. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked, actually) by the quality and flavor of the Sizzling Seitan Fajita Platter. I started by accepting the fact that this isn't meat: aspects of the flavor and aroma are meat-like, but to have "meat" on the brain is like living in the past. While slightly saltier than I would have liked, the caramelized flavors of soy and a bit of char from the cast iron griddle tasted wonderful, with the accompanying vegetables (onions, mushrooms) cooked superbly. The acoutrements (vegan sour cream, brown rice, beans, tortillas, et al.) were very good companions, although the beans could have used a bit more dimension in the flavor. The Cooper Hill Pinot Noir (at $6) was, perhaps, one of the best values in glass pours I've had in a while: complex and an appropriate accompaniment to the food as far as my palate is concerned.
(4)
Shani R.
The food was just ok the first time I went, but the wait staff definitely took their time with everything - our lunch lasted 1.5hrs, which in my book is ridiculous and we had to flag down the waiter to just refill our water pitcher. I thought I would give them a try again and sure enough, the food wasn't good (not that it was great to begin with) and their service was even worse. We told the waiter to split our check - he gave us a pen and told us to split it ourselves! Not that we can't do the math - but really, would it have been that hard to take our cards to the flippin' register, charge them and give us back the reciepts like every restaurant/ food cart does in this country!!! Let's just say I feel stumped out of my $12.00, that could have gone to something that tasted better, cost less, had great service - like Koi Fusion. One word - HORRIBLE! If you really like to waste your money and your time, go here; because you will wait 50 minutes before getting your food, wait an 40 minutes in totally service time (if you want to call it serve) and the wait staff don't give a hoot about you or your time! It's just to bad that Yelp doesn't have a negative star, because this restaurant is one.
(1)
Lindsay I.
We just moved to the area in January and we have been here far too many times. Our favorites are the biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito.
(4)
Anjelah S.
Went out to find a good place to have lunch, ended up having a great vegan breakfast. Cute and clean little cafe..Portlandish kind of feel. Very friendly service. I ordered the Country comfort. Instead of the range free eggs, I had the organic tempeh...instead of vegan bacon, I ordered the vegan sausage. And instead of the rice, I ordered the homestyle fried potatoes. Add some fresh buscuits topped with almond gravy to that meal and wow... That was YumMmMmmmy.. And yes...the Almond gravy" was soOoOooo good. I gotta get that recipe. Best Vegan breakfast I've ever had. Great service, great food and I will have to go back again to try thier lunch.
(5)
Doug P.
Food usually overcomes angst ridden staff. Buffalo things and super grain salads are the highlight typically with changing soup option always of interest. Used to come often for breakfast but found service and cleanliness lacking.
(3)
Sid S.
It's a bad sign when the prices go up and quality goes down- way down. Vita used to be my SPOT. I've been eating the same breakfast item here for years. $8 for everything a vegan could ask for on one plate: biscuit, potatoes, vegan cheese sandwiched between fried tofu, and thinly sliced seitan, all smothered in gravy. There have been subtle changes over the years, and sometimes there would be off days, but my last two visits made things very clear. That favorite dish of mine is in a sad state (and $1 more expensive). I wish I'd taken a photo because it was almost laughable.
(2)
Lily S.
I gotta tell you - the last time I ate at Vita was in 2003 and I HATED IT. My meal tasted like sawdust, I felt sick afterwards, had the shits for two days, and refused to go anywhere near their establishment. Fast forward 7 years later and I found myself heading back there for brunch w/ some friends. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED. For the better. Our breakfast was...how you say...EFFING GOOD. We had corn cakes, which we thought were going to be small, but instead were the size of salad plates. We also had the "chicken fried steak" - which is really breaded tempeh, and came w/ biscuits and almond gravy. It was equally as ridiculous. We wound up boxing the food up and sending it home w/ our dining mates. On top of that, we had bloody marys - which were ALSO really good. And of course, Stumptown coffee. Thank you Vita, for not sucking and changing my mind about you! Needless to say, we'll be visiting the next time we're back in town!
(4)
Kelli B.
I thought that I had made up my mind about Vita Cafe. I had been there twice and been pretty unimpressed. Up until recently. My roomies and I were looking for a veg-friendly breakfast joint and decided to go to Vita. We had a GREAT experience. Actually, it was the Huevos Rancheros that really pushed us over the edge (the Thai corncakes left a little to be desired, but that didn't matter with huevos in front of us). Awesome. So much delicious food. The service was great, dietary options optimal. It was so great that my roomies took friends there the next weekend, too! Kudos to you for bringing your A game, kudos to me for trying something again. I'll certainly be back!
(4)
Christine N.
Oh how i wish i could afford to eat at Vita Cafe everyday! Three words: biscuits and gravy. Vegetarian!! Need i say more? Well, i'm a New Yorker, so it's impossible for me to NOT say more. So here goes... I love their faux turkey, they offer vegan cheese and their fries are super tasty. I've never had a bad meal here! That being said, what's with the superhard uncomfortable seating? I feel like a nun is going to come rap me across the knuckles with a yardstick if my elbow strays onto the table. Also, don't come to Vita if you're planning on having any conversation with your dinnermates. The acoustics in here are atrocious - everything is so loud! Other than those two (very minor) complaints, Vita Cafe is awesome. Go there. Now!
(4)
Assaf M.
Great food choices. great vegan options! all was very tasty. good atmosphere. service is a bit slow and sleepy.
(4)
Richard V.
Don't know what happened, but the last couple of times I've been the buffalo tofu wrap has been pretty much awful. The tofu has been WAY overbreaded and burned. The best part of that wrap was that it had such a light fry to the tofu that it didn't feel deep fried, but had a slight crunch to it. Now it's like eating a chicken strip sandwich.
(2)
Craig C.
Amazing vegan options and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. I highly recommend this place!
(5)
Imaria C.
After coming here 3 times I like this place a little more. The wait staff isn't the most attentive ever. But they are definitely not the worst. The vegan almond gravy is pretty delicious in my opinion. I think I'll be sticking with this place for more breakfast style food, not dinner-y stuff. I'm glad I gave this place a few more chances after my first visit.
(4)
Karl W.
I love this place. I really never paid it much attention until one of my friends from out of town was telling me about it. Every time he comes into town he goes to this place and so I would give it a try. IT'S GREAT! I'm a huge fan of the vegan club sandwich. I've strayed from that on the menu a few times and always regretted it. Not that the other food isn't good, it's all good there, but I LOVE the club sandwich. If you're vegan you will probably enjoy this place if you don't already know about it.
oven roasted vegetable lasagna is wonderful! fair price. this could be my "go-to" place in pdx.
(4)
David L.
I thoroughly enjoy their breakfast. Seem to always have a good special breakfast item that's not on the menu.
(5)
Dawn-Ashley H.
The vegan Chicken Fried Steak will make you slap your mama. It's the best chicken fried steak I've EVER HAD - and I'm including non-vegan ones. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap is amazing. and I do have a weakness for the gin drink... something 75? can't remember the name, but it's amazing.
(5)
Grant S.
I love giving this restaurant four stars. I'd give it five and here is why this veggie is happy. We have arrived sufficiently to have a fancy/casual place with snooty service. Service aside, food is creative, and will fulfill diner and cafe cravings. Veg chicken fried steak is tops, so is the buffalo wrap. Sit at the bar to enjoy the cheeky mason jar light fittings, and come for lunch to groove on the super grain salad. I mean, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and avacado with greens all in one salad? Hell yes.
(4)
Daniel Levis K.
4-star vegetarian diner faire. Server recommended the cheesesteak sandwich for my first Vita experience, which did not disappoint. Although perhaps not the best seitan I've ever had, the swiss cheese and peppered veggies on a soft and fresh bun allowed the sandwich to transcend the meh-level of many veggie meat dishes to true deliciousness. They even have a few meat-meat dishes for non-vegetarian friends and family. Carnivorous intelligence has informed me that the burger is a bit on the thin side, but the bleu cheese helps to make it rock. The buffalo tofu appetizer was the only dissapointment here. Not fried chewy enough, so that the breading and overall consistency was a bit on the mushy gross side.
(4)
Jen I.
i was only in town for 1 and a 1/2 days and i came here twice. that says something. friday night we choose vita cafe since we had a toddler and a baby in tow. it's kid friendly and vegan friendly so a majority of of my party of 6-7 people were accommodated. i was awash with so many vegan choices that my brain exploded and ended up ordering the italian pasta. which was excellent. the pasta itself, it's definitely from the box but the combo of red pepper flakes, tomato, garlic, breadcrumbs, kale and this delicious delicious vegan sausage made the dish filling. after a long drive, this hit the spot. i also sneaked some of the dr's spicy fries and some of the thick cut bread that came with his tomato soup and both were tasty. the tomato soup was just meh. we came back for pre dinner appetizers the next day as we were wandering and shopping in the area and i was anticipating an hour wait at dove vi vi for dinner later on that evening. we ordered the buffalo things, the fried tempeh sticks and i got a side of the vegan mac n' cheese. my favorite was the buffalo things. the buffalo sauce and the fried on the outside of the tofu was just right. the fried tempeh was indulgent but not greasy but i thought the peanut sauce lacked flavor. the vegan mac n cheese was just ok. nutritional yeast to the rescue! i'm glad they have nooch on hand for moments like their not so cheesy mac n' cheese. the dr. said the reuban was a close second in the running for best vegan reuben he's ever had.
(5)
Michael V.
It probably would've taken me a lot longer to try this place out, but seeing as how my friend is vegan, I got to experience what he goes through on a day-to-day basis. I had the vegan club sandwich which is organic tempeh and homemade faux turkey, with vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread. The food was actually really good and with my eyes closed, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between real meat and fake meat. The nice thing about Vita is that it's not strictly vegan, so if for some reason you absolutely positively cannot without a shadow of a doubt live without animal flesh, they have that option for you as well! If you're here though, you might as well try something new!
(4)
Erica S.
This place is so overhyped. I live nearby, and whenever I go past I always feel sorry for the people waiting to eat there. Do they know what they are getting themselves into? For a vegetarian restaurant, it is surprisingly difficult to get a vegetable based meal. Their menu is full of super processed soy faux meat drenched in various sauces. I guess some people go crazy for that, but I prefer to eat real food.
(1)
Jeffery F.
I love their food. I bring my omnivore friends with me and they love it as well. I recommend their specials and soups. Nice friendly service with great cocktails. Should be a staple for any vegetarian.
Went back again and same story. Pretty terrible service - if they bother to stop by at all. I got a soup and it was pretty terrible. Overcooked veggies and some cheese that smelled like it went rank. Left with a terrible stomache ache and didn't even finish the food. With a MILLION other vegetarian places in town - there are SO many better options out there. Vita burned down once, I can only hope something closes it down for good. I know I'll never go back and never recommend it.
(1)
Will S.
This was my last meal for my first visit to Portlandia. The food was fresh and excellently prepared. I played it safe and ordered meat, my brother ordered off the vegan menu and I'll be damned if his food wasn't better than mine!! I'm usually highly critical of vegan fare, but he ordered a special and it was delicious- it left me regretful that I hadn't embraced the true nature of this place. Their beer list was great for such a small family oriented restaurant (I discovered that all of Portland has great taste in Beer!). When I return to Portland I want to revisit this place and explore more it's vegan/vegetarian dishes.
(4)
Nik R.
I've got a list of dietary restrictions that make eating out an exercise in futility most days: gluten, dairy, and nightshades. Not so when visiting Vita; there are enough options that I'm often found taking my time, wondering what to eat, instead of giving up and ordering the salad (after making sure that all the additives are acceptable) or just getting something to drink. The waitstaff are generally cheerful folk, and it's become a regular hangout and place to get something very like quality fast food -- in that food is usually served quickly, is piping hot, and tastes delightful, while being reasonably priced! The only downside is that it's .so. good that the place is often filled to the rafters with parents and their noisy children, and finding a seat can be a futile effort. Since moving to the new space, Vita has expanded their interior, but sadly lost the outdoor seating which was so dear to my heart. It's also fairly poorly lit, and noise carries a long way, often making it clamorous. That said, I love me some Vita, and look forward to grabbing another vegan gluten-free chicken fried steak next time I'm up in PDX.
(3)
Kayarrhea P.
Pro: Buffalo Tofu Wrap. Mindblowing. The perfect lunch. Pro: Seitan Fajitas. They're vegan and come with a terrific cilantro-lime sour cream sauce, peppers, onions, beans, rice. Pro: VEGAN CAESAR. Wish they sold bottles of this dressing, it was shocking. Pro: Philly Cheesesteak - had this a long time ago but even my meat-eating bf loved it. Con: No sister store in Southeast.
(5)
Kevin S.
The Philly cheese steak was crazy good. The faux turkey florentine was good but tangy. The biscuits and gravy were pretty bad. The "fish" and chips was pretty good. Over all a pretty good vegan place, but Portland has better.
(3)
Stanley T.
And my 100th review goes to... Vita Cafe. After perusing many Yelp reviews, I had pretty much decided to order the chicken fried "steak". My only real concern was that at least one reviewer opined that the almond gravy was too salty (a major pet peeve of mine), but that was not the case. The gravy was amazing! We're wondering if the stuff is available by the quart. The mashed potatoes were fine. The chicken fried "steak" was the tastiest tempeh dish I've ever had. Crispy coating (yeah, how do they do that?), just right combination of moisture, texture and flavor within. I had a cup of the soup of the day: spicy tomato fennel. While it was closer in texture to a marinara sauce, the flavor worked for me. And the herb-onion bread accompaniment was yummy. Topped it off with a couple of glasses of Parducci Cab Sauv. Happiness. My wife had the seitan fajitas. I only tried a piece of seitan, which was very good. Overall, I don't think her meal was up to the level of mine - could certainly have used more in the way of vegetables - but, hey, I'm reviewing mine here. Service was very good. Ambiance was kind of tacky, but who really cares? Several more things on the menu I'm looking forward to trying.
(4)
Beth C.
So, my lovely brother has been living across the country for me for a while. What does this have to do with Vita? Well, when I miss him I go to places that he likes. On my trip here I went with my DH, MIL, and my hunny's grandparents. (Norma and Roy are in their late 80s.) We had no trouble getting seated right away and we decided to go with a hummas plate to start. It was good stuff. Not too much, not to little. I ordered the buffalo "chicken" wrap. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I loved the sauce. It was well done with good textures and crispness. Norma had the lasagna. I am not a fan of mushrooms but everyone at the table liked it. My hunny had the spicy shrimp thai pasta. Cleaned his plate. We all shared some fries. I can't remember what my MIL or Roy ordered but we really enjoyed the food. The things that I didn't like. The staff has zero charisma. I like to be nice and friendly to people I interact with. The staff here was blah. No amount of politeness or silly jokes could get them to crack smiles. It made me feel like I was not welcome. The seating in the booths is NOT COMFY!! You are sitting on plywood with 90 degree angled backs. My butt hurt when we left. I will be back. I just will sit in a chair and hopefully get someone with pizazz.
(4)
Ben F.
Service here is bad, easily some of the worst I've had in Portland. You want to experience that aloof hipster attitude people love to complain about? Go here. Waited 30 min on a Saturday for a counter seat for brunch. The wait was pretty average for a popular brunch place. Took a good 10 min for someone to acknowledge our presence after being sat, which is inexcusable considering we were sitting right in front of all the servers at the counter. Finally got an order in, waited another 30+ min for our food to arrive, all the while watching the parties on either side of us, who were sat and ordered quite some time after us, get their food. The food itself was boring and under seasoned. The almond gravy I had heard so much about was like a bland gluey paste. The chicken sausages were pitifully small. Again back to the service, it was horrible. The woman who served us was cold and aloof, never once apologizing for the ridiculous wait on our food or even checking in on us once the order was placed. Keep in mind she was 3-5ft away from us nearly the entire time puttering around behind the counter doing busy work. Vita Cafe = Fail.
(1)
Madhu R.
Fresh food and great outdoor area. Big portions for not that much money. Service can be hit or miss. Hit (if you get the cooky waiter with dreds and sleeve tatoos who's sortof like Tommy Chong), or miss (if you get the waiters/waitresses with fewer tatoos and who are "too cool" to be friendly).
(4)
Evelyn M.
I can't believe I haven't already written a review for Vita Cafe. To start with the Bloody Mary is per-fect:spicy and delicious with any meal. What do I love to eat here? the vegan club!!! the reuben!!! ahhhh the "fishwich" !!! the seitan cheese steak!!! biscuits and gravy! The fresh cut fries are real and crispy and generously portioned-I ask for a side of veganaise when I'm not feeling like ketchup. One thing though, my companion had a burger once and was sorely disappointed. Too bad. I've only been for lunch but look forward to trying brunch and dinner. I suspect I'll have a hard time choosing among the wide variety on the menu.
(4)
Kedar D.
Vita Cafe has a cool vibe and feels like a rustic diner where you could chill with friends, get a beer or a cup of coffee, and talk about life. It's a laid-back joint. I wasn't impressed with the food, however. I had a half order of vegan french toast ($3.50), a Denver tofu scramble ($8) and also tried a few bites of my friend's vegan biscuits and gravy ($5). First, the french toast was not good. While I like that the bread had heft (as opposed to being made with sandwich bread, they make it with sourdough at Vita), the bread itself was too sour for my likes. The syrup didn't help much. Also, the texture of the bread came across as chewy, rather than moist and fluffy. The tofu scramble was really basic: tofu, seitan, bell peppers and onions sauteed in oil and served with some fried potatoes and toast. The scramble itself could have used more spices (maybe I ordered the wrong one? they had multiple scramble offerings) an the portion size wasn't particularly large; most of the calories seemed to come from the potatoes. I loved the spelt toast, however. My friend's biscuits and gravy were okay, but not the best I've ever had. For one thing, the biscuits were too dense and hard, and not flaky-soft. Also, the almond gravy is a nice bit of experimentation, but as others have noted, mushroom gravies just work better than anything else. Lastly, the dish could have used more scallions and maybe a nice heaping of diced tomatoes just to freshen up the plate and bring out some other flavors. Kudos to Vita for serving loose-leaf teas, by the way. The service was friendly but not particularly fast; we waited at least 15 minutes for our order, which was strange given that there weren't many people in the restaurant. All told, Vita isn't great but I suppose its vibe and solid number of vegan offerings make it a keeper. That said, you can get better vegan brunch foods elsewhere (Sweetpea Bakery comes to mind).
(2)
Carlin S.
My favourite breakfast on the Alberta strip by far. TONS of vegan/veg options and really good about the gluten-free thing too! Really friendly staff, and all the food is super fresh and doesn't feel greasy. Have been mostly for breakfast, and love all the tofu scrambles, gluten-free corn muffin, and huevos rancheros. I love this place!
(5)
Ludo N.
Tried breakfast at Vita the other day and it just isn't very good. The service was nice but the food just isn't great.
(3)
Hilary B.
The vegan, veggie & gluten-free selections are great at this newly located restaurant. I have always been a big fan of the corn cakes, scrambles and sandwiches. Vita's new home brings a bit more (indoor) seating and increasingly surly service. The last few visits I have experienced less-than-pleasant servers but the food keeps me coming back. I hope they are able to get that 4th star on the way with some simple changes with their FOH staff.
(3)
Jess P.
I think I shed a tear when I first saw vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes on their menu. Combined with a beer and some mint chocolate cake, I ate and drank myself into a beautifully blissful comatose state. I was in my own little vegetarian nirvana. On my second trip I tried the buffalo chicken wrap and my friend had the club sandwich. The wrap was very good and I was surprised by what they managed to do with that tofu- but I suppose cardboard would be delicious if it were fried and smothered in sauces. The club was also good, albeit a little plain. My main complaint is that even the entrees are served more a la carte style. I'm not a huge french fry peson, so I wasn't disappointed that those weren't on the side. However, I would have loved to have a green salad or one of those other customary sides. But in order to do so I would have had to pay an extra $3.50. At already $8 for the wrap alone, it seemed like the charge for adding a side could have been lower. But this is just my student loans groaning. The servers have always been very pleasant- no complaints there. The decor is certainly charmingly off-kilter- we sat behind a painting taken from a long-deceased barber shop of their offered hairstyles/shaves. My personal favorite was the "sideburn that turns into a mustache" look. Sexy, but besides the point. You and I both know as soon as we've found mustache art, we've found a hipster haven. UPDATE: I finally tried their brunch. A little underwhelmed. The huevos rancheros was smothered in a chili- I prefer huevos rancheros to showcase fresh flavors like pico de gallo instead. I'd also advise others to steer clear of the bloody mary's. Too acidic, not enough balance. Sort of had to choke it down.
(3)
Kiki S.
First things first, if you've never been here there's a coffee shop - Caffe Vita - about a block and a half away. I didn't realize this on my first visit and walked down Alberta with a sad face until I found the actual cafe. This place is great for vegans, vegetarians and the gluten-free. They have meat-eating options, too, but I don't think they're quite as outstanding as their sans-options. And hey - that's cool with me. There are plenty of amazing places for me to go gnaw on a hunk of meat at, it's about time the alternatives got some rockin' good service, too. My husband is gluten-free and one of his main gripes is visiting a restaurant that will happily turn an order GF by removing any bread, toast, etc. but still charge him the full price, despite the fact that he's getting less. At Vita Cafe, they replace any side of bread with a corn muffin. And it seems like at least 50% of the menu, if not more, is capable of being made GF, too. The fries are fat and crispy. The lemonade comes in a mason jar. The windows are big and the staff is always friendly. We got much love for Vita.
(4)
Sheena H.
Tasty vegan eats at this place. My personal favorite was the supergrain salad with the carrot ginger dressing. The nachos were okay, wasn't stoked on the chili bean decision, though. The service was a bit to be desired. Our server didn't check back, had to help ourselves to get utensils and napkins, and our water wasn't offered to be refilled at all. So to sum up, the food was a thumbs up, the service, well, not so much.
(3)
Rene G.
I had the Buffalo Wrap, fries and a side of mac & cheeze. The wrap was spicy and yummy, fries were crispy and home-made, and the mac & cheeze was a little bowl of awesome! They carry Stumptown Coffee which is also a real treat. I dig this spot alot.
(4)
Suma S.
Hate to update with fewer stars, because this used to be one of my favorite places and I'd come here like once a week. The food is still good, but the service has basically driven my crew's patronage to other veggie-friendly places in town. It's a pity. For the past few months, we by some horrible fate always end up with the same server, no matter what time we come, who always conveniently "forgets" a part of my order. I suppose a cup of soup, sandwich, and oh lord, fries, is basically just throwing both of my feet in the grave, because each time I order, she kind of stares in an expression hovering somewhere between fear and disgust. Uh? Ok? And really, who are you judge people's eating habits? Anyway, she always forgets a part of my order. Whether it's the side of fries or my freakin' entree. Everyone else's food will arrive and mine will either just not arrive at all or she'll forget part of someone else's order at my table to try to convince us to just share it. If the other person mentions it, she often makes a snide comment about how she thought "that would be plenty". News at 11! You're not eating it! It's seriously so rude and embarrassing that I have had to talk people down from confronting this server or calling the manager over on at least three occasions, because, I reasoned, she's "new". Well, she isn't new anymore and we eat at other places now because ordering food that, I assume, is on the menu because the owners of this place would like people's business, which is had by ordering food, has become so emotionally difficult and socially awkward that we just don't want to endure it. Two of the three of us that were regulars are recovering from EDs. Food judgment and attempt to re-portion our orders is the exact opposite of what we look for in a dining experience. Our average bill would usually come to around $40-50/week back when the staff was comprised of friendly people who understood how service works. We aren't crappy tippers, either. That's a lot of money that we're taking to other places now. It's too bad, because we all miss the tempeh.
(2)
Merlin A.
Food = tasty. Price = good value. Cloud of flies in the dining room = I won't be coming back.
(2)
Cheryl R.
I was impressed by this place! A great stop for vegan food, nice atmosphere, good coffee and great portions.
(5)
Lauren G.
Came here for a drink and some nachos. It took about 15 minutes for someone to come greet us and take our order, but after that they had it figured out.
(4)
Trevor G.
Wonderful vegan food at its finest. Service was slow (very slow), but our server was great. He gave us great recommendations and was very friendly. There were two other servers as well and it looked like our server was having to work extra hard because the other two were slow to the point of being zombies.
(3)
Jason C.
Cute, welcoming decor but service was a little slow most likely because we walked in seconds after they opened. Started with the Buffalo Tofu which was amazing, I think they fry it tempura style before soaking it in delicious, spicy, buffalo sauce. Wife had the Salmon cakes (amazing) and the Philly sandwich. All in all definitely in my top list of vegetarian restaraunts.
(4)
Jens J.
PDX sure seems to be a town of weekend early risers! We drove over to Alberta for breakfast before nine this Saturday morning only to find people already waiting for tables at Helser's and Tin Shed. JP is now leery of trying places unless they have been checked out on Yelp first, but I said "Pshaw, let's try Vita Cafe since it is not crowded." C'mon, gotta have a sense of adventure! We proceeded into the restaurant after passing by a fenced outdoor eating area overgrown with weeds and ratty lawn furniture. We were told to sit anywhere. We likes that! Our waitress brought us some yummy smooth rocket fuel-injected Holler Mountain Stumptown Coffee. I could jog from here to Chicago and back again on that stuff. It wasn't until we saw the menu we saw this was a Vegan restaurant. And that's fine, because we have had some very good experiences with Vegan (Papa G's in PDX and Hillside Cafe in Seattle). We both ordered the "chicken"-fried steak ($8.50). JP had the roasted red potatoes with his and I had the brown rice. Either way it was very good and very filling. Gravy was seasoned perfectly. JP also ordered "apple sausage". I really couldn't tell that the sausage was not bona fide meat. However, its seasonings were a little overwhelming. I had a Mexican corn pancake ($3.50). The Mexican corn pancake came with salsa, gauc and a white mayo-ey dipping sauce that was sheer heaven. I told our waitress how much I loved the dipping sauce and that brought a toothy grin to her face. She told us the "sour cream" was made from tofu and chives. Some other menu items: "burgers", soups, salads, Reuben sandwiches, scrambles, "mac & cheese" and Thai pasta. No dessert items though! Note too that Wednesday is their specials night with $2 well drinks, $2 drafts and $5 cocktails (I did see Tangeray on their booze rack, but no Cointreau). Only real minus was that the service was rather slow (not the waitress but the kitchen). But I did notice that another cook and waitress started their shifts about a half hour after we got there.
(4)
Orianne G.
Vita Cafe is a very Portlandy place. The booths are made out of plywood and the lights are made out of mason jars. They have tons of vegetarian/vegan options but also quite a bit of meat. Almost everything I've eaten here has been incredibly delicious. The buffalo tofu wrap is devine, and the vegan club sandwich is simply scrumptious. Of the many dishes I've ordered (and the many I've sampled from my boyfriends plate) there are only a few I wasn't wild about. My least favorite have been the "chicken" fried steak and the supergrain salad with the lemon tahini dressing. Oh! I almost forgot the thai coconut soup! THAT is something you have to try. The hipster people that work there are quite friendly, which is refreshing in a town where vegan restaurants are full of judgmental douche bags. In summary, the people are nice, the decor fun, and the food is delish- What more could you ask for?
(4)
Ravyn S.
We love Vita Cafe ... We venture out to NE Portland a few times a month just to eat here. I love that their small-ish menu has so many great options for vegans/vegetarians/gluten-free people. There's typically a little bit of a wait, but once we're seated, the service is great and fast. My favorite item on the menu is the vegan nachos ... closely followed by their vegan caesar salad.
(4)
Aimee L.
Haven't been here in years so decided to try their breakfast as I'd never had it, as I was craving a good vegetarian breakfast . It was pretty quiet for a holiday morning where there were lines at most places, so nice to get in and get a seat. The Thai Corn Cake was ok - couldn't taste the ginger at all and ended up using the coconut syrup provided to give it a bit of flavor. It's literally the size of one giant pancake, so you don't want to order much more - I'd recommend they make a couple of 'silver dollar' size cakes and serve it with fruits and/or veggies as this got pretty boring after a while to eat with not as much flavor as it could have. I love the idea though so my suggestions are only to make it better! Got a side of fruit which was 90% pineapple and red grapes, and a tasteless fig (sad face). So, I was underwhelmed. Wasn't awful but coulda been better. Service was A-OK as well.
(3)
Eric P.
Great place for vegetarians and non-vegs (like me) alike! The buffalo tofu wrap is everything everyone else has proclaimed it to be. The fries are great too, and the side order could feed a small army. I've had the Fishwich (standard fried fish sandwich with tofu instead of fish) and a Seitan Cheese Steak, both were good, but not as good as that buffalo wrap. I'll have to update this review once I've had a chance to try the breakfast.
(4)
Sara S.
MORNING POTATOES WITH ALMOND GRAVY. You have not truly experienced all that is the Vita until you've tried the morning potatoes with almond gravy. Also, the Country Comfort platter is very good, I highly recommend it. The waitresses always snicker when I order a Kaliber, though. Maybe it's an inside joke- I don't care, I'll drink my non-alcoholic beer at noon, thank you. ;) I have yet to venture into the dessert case, (usually I have stuffed myself beyond fathomable limits), but one of these days... that toasted coconut cake and I will have a serious confrontation.
(5)
Mal C.
I'll start by saying that I'm not vegetarian or vegan. If that were the case, then I'd probably be raving about this place too. I have to say that I LOVED the corn cakes. They were freaking awesome! The eggs and bacon I know are from local, sustainable, organic farms, but they didn't really stand out for me. The cons are the prices are pretty steep - I guess that's what you pay for local, sustainable, organic farm goods (e.g. $3.50 for bacon)? The service was really slow - I thought they were biking to the farm to get the ingredients... that would be very Portlandia. I'd go back though... for the corn cakes!
(3)
Hargobind K.
Man this place is awesome! I've been a vegetarian my whole life and so it was thrilling the first few times I came here to have so many awesome menu items to choose from. Not only that, but almost everything here is delicious! I'm a huge fan of their Buffalo Tofu Wrap, their Fishwich, and their Sloppy Biscuit Sandwich. They always seem to be semi-busy, no matter what time of morning or night. Sometimes there's a wait, but it never seems to be more than 10 minutes. There are 4 huge booths that can accommodate 6-8 people easily. They have Wifi too, and great music playing over the speakers. I've stopped here many times to work on my laptop, and all the servers are friendly and fine with you being here. I'm still getting to know the Portland restaurant scene, but so far this place is definitely in my top 5!
(5)
Jesha M.
So far I've only come here for breakfast (albeit at 9am or 2pm) and the food is always good and consistent, maybe because I always order the same thing. The service is nothing to thrive about but there are a few staff members who seem to moderately enjoy their job. The food is pretty good and the selection is pretty awesome. The mason jar lights above the bar are pretty cool too.
(4)
Brandon T.
The veggie chicken fried steak is delicious and this time around the gravy was actually pretty good. Today they had a special on pecan, strawberry and banana corn cakes and I wish I knew how to make those things on my own because they were delicious, I should have gotten two! I still hold firm on the light bulb thing. This place prides itself on being environmentally friendly and even donate to organizations in the community yet they still use incandescent light bulbs. Just upgrade to CFLS or LEDs or something.
(4)
Yolanda Y.
Yummy vegan burritos, perfect for brunch. They've got a bunch of beers to choose from and they make cocktails. This was my first meal in Portland, and it set me off to a good start. I think the service could be faster, but I imagine there were a lot of other hungry people like me who also needed their food. If you're looking for events around town, towards the back by the restrooms there is a table and a bulletin board of things going on in the community.
(4)
mister k.
I've got a lot of vegetarian food festivals under my belt, but this year I made it to Portland's VegFest for the first time. I was comforted by the sight of the usual food samples. Picture tiny, imperfect squares of vegan cheese on toothpicks, plastic cups of juice with hemp protein powder mixed in, and lots of cultish rainbow packaging. When we walked up to the Vita Cafe table, I thought I'd stepped through a portal into someplace where the rules had been changed and the game had been upped. Way upped. I couldn't believe it when I was handed a perfectly conceived bite on a skewer: a round biscuit followed by a sausage meatball sitting in a puddle of gravy and garnished with herbs and scallions. Hello! We decided to take it as a sign when the stars aligned and the Yelp app on my Google phone suggested Vita Cafe, and did not regret it. My wife remembered that all I'd been wanting to find was some fancy lemonade, and the sweet server offered up a prickly pear lemonade in a mason jar with a lemon garnish. Ahhhhh. I also got to steal sips of the Rogue Hazelnut Brown they had on tap. I'll be honest, I make a pretty mean almond gravy at home and I'm often disappointed by the vegetarian glue served up at many restaurants. I am always afraid things will go terribly wrong when I order. I decided to go for the chicken friend steak served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The "steak" being made of tempeh was another chance for things to go terribly wrong, but every bite was delicious. I did give up a few bites in trade for some of my wife's buffalo tofu wrap, which was full of pretty incredible flavor. All that and the bill only came to $23? If only we had room for dessert. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)
Kimmy K.
This place is great from the vegan to the meat eater. No matter what your taste, make sure to get the buffalo things. I could eat a whole plate myself. And your plate, too. Yes, they are that good. They have a great all night happy hour with cheap food plates on Wed nights.
(4)
Jeremy D.
I've dropped in here 3 times now. The first time was late on Easter Sunday. The place was empty, but the staff stayed around to serve me. With no one else in the place, service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the BLT and it was probably the best BLT I've ever had. This first visit probably raised the bar a bit too high because the last 2 visits have been lacking considerably... I returned the following week on a Thursday. The place was probably half-full and the "please wait to be seated " sign was up. I was acknowledged quickly, but after 15 minutes,of not being seated, I left. I decided to give them one more shot for lunch today. I arrived shortly after 11, and it was "seat yourself " quiet. It took at least 5 minutes to get my water and order an iced tea. It took another 10 minutes for anyone to take my food order and that only because I flagged a waitress down. I ordered the BLT and a side salad. It took at least another 15 minutes for the BLT. Seriously, guys, this is bacon, lettuce and tomato. Not only that, but they didn't even bother to bring me the salad first. Refills on the ice tea were slow and infrequent and the bill was snuck onto my table without so much as a thank you or goodbye. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a malnourished bearded gay hipster vegan that frequents a place like this, but I deserve better service. If that damn BLT wasn't so awesome, I'd never go back.
(2)
Gina H.
The food here is good! I love the vegan and veggie options. The cost isn't too bad. I have never had bad service there and the wait is never that long. I will be coming back to this place (and I love taking friends from out of town there).
(4)
Puanani L.
Just a hop skip and a jump from our door, i have just discovered the glories of Vita Cafe. Service is friendly and prompt. Atmosphere is casual and funky and laid back. It feels cozy. I am a fan of the Multi-Grain Salad. I wake up mornings thinking about it. Everything was fresh and quickly prepared. Late one evening, we took a walk to pick up some sweet treats and french fries, their french fries are GREAT. The sweets were fresh and tasty and gosh, everyone is just so nice.
(4)
Jeremy H.
We love this place. I haven't been impressed by everything, but I do love coming here. The Seitan Cheese Sandy is good, but not like others I've had elsewhere. The Lemongrass Noodle dish I had when I decided to go out on a limb wasn't impressive at all. I was disappointed cuz I LOVE lemongrass. But the buffalo wings. Oh damn, those wings. They are spicy and sexy. Hence, also, the Buffalo Wrap is bombnasty. BOMB. Bombtastic. The Caesar Salad is outstanding. The Coconut Soup is pretty good. The desserts here are amazing! Try the carrot cake. Try the oatmeal cake. Try it. Try it. I'd punch a baby for one right now. The service is friendly, and we haven't had to wait too long ever. There's usually a bunch of people with kids there so it's a good place for children. Ok, that concludes my review because I gotta go eat at Vita. Peace.
(4)
Mark W.
The food was okay, nothing astounding. The service however was utterly terribly. I sat waiting for my friend getting more and more depressed at the "music" that was being blared out of the speakers. Full volume pop music that I have expected at a 7-11. The place was filled with couples, all trying to have a conversation but needing to raise their voices to be heard over the pumping bass. When my friend arrived (she had been sitting in Cafe Vita..seriously, whats that about?) she immediately asked the waitress if she could please turn down the music. I'm English, overtly polite, so that didn't ever occur to me. The waitress sniffed and left - the music was turned down a tiny amount. After trying to converse over what utterly sounded like Kesha, my friend asked if it was possible to change the station so something a little less taxing on the ears. The waitress replied, "We like this music." Previously I have worked as a server and I find it rather astounding to receive that reply. Not a single customer looked like the type that would enjoy the type of music that was blaring over the speakers - at full volume again. Will definitely not be back.
(1)
kelly s.
I don't find this place very impressive. Their service has always fumbled my order, and taken a while. When I have ordered egg items, they come out burnt. I felt like one of their only redeeming qualities was their cute location, but now they are in a cheesy new location across the street. It's like a slightly less fresh and tasty cup and saucer. -The good, they are very gay friendly, not that most places in portland aren't, but I always feel comfortable here.
(3)
Adam B.
Vita Cafe did me right for all three meals I ate there: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was always able to sit down right away and the service was prompt and responsive. It's a no thrills atmosphere inside, and I like Kedar D's description, "a rustic diner." Everything my wife and I ate we enjoyed. A highlight was the breakfast burrito. Rather unassuming on the menu, I was surprised by the behemoth I was served. The huevos rancheros was also a plentiful helping of pure deliciousness. We ate everything vegan style. The buffalo wrap and flamin tempeh dish were on target for flavor and portion size too. Based on my three visits, the service and cooking was consistently great at Vita, and I have no hesitancy in recommending them.
(4)
Shana G.
It's so hit and miss. Typically what I have found is that the food is somewhat good and the service is atrocious.
(2)
Jenn C.
Disclaimer: I am a carnivorous carnivore who is willing to step over to the dark side for the sake of vegetarian friends. So when my co-worker, freshly back from Hawaii was seeking some NW fare for the veggiesaurus within him I started searching for someplace I had never been. Insert Vita Cafe. Fresh on (that's right it's still going...) a bloody mary kick I ordered theirs to see how it competed with the Observatory (both use wasabi instead of horseradish). Observatory takes that one for flavor and price (Observatory is $7 for a 10oz and Vita is $8 for a kerr jar). Fresh on a stress-binge eating spree I decided I wanted to take the high road and eat something good for me. I ordered the super salad with quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants and a house made lemon tahini dressing and the soup de jour, a southwest veggie (which I think came in the form of a chili). They also have a house made bread that was fantastic. Servings were generous and the service was great too. All in all it was delish for a meat free meal that came in with a pricetag of $16.50 with a mary. I'd go back for sure with or without a reason to eat a meat free dish.
(4)
Tommy T.
Mmmm so many vegan options. The Vita is a great standby that's been on Alberta before most of the hip places were there. The prices aren't that steep and food is fresh. The service is friendlier than other reviewers make it out to be and the place is clean. It's nice that you can get a soup/ salad or a greasy vegan burger at the same place.
(5)
Karin H.
Good food, but wow the service was extremely slow and not friendly.
(2)
Ryan P.
It's a good sign when you go somewhere on a Wednesday night, an hour before it closes and it's still quite busy. Vita Cafe was like that and with good reason. My usually quite critical over vegetarian and vegan food and their menu is among the best I've had. A great selection of American, pasta, and Thai. Their Chicken Fried Steak was unbelievably tasty. I would drive back down there just for that.
(4)
john j.
I judge a restaurant based on their blue cheese dressing, and Vita passes. I dream about being dipped in it. Or having someone else dipped in it so I can lick it off them. Cute decor, and lots of veggie options so you don't feel like a second class citizen.
(5)
Sarah S.
We went to Vita Cafe for brunch. I was impressed by the variety of menu options. I couldn't decide! As a vegan, this isn't an experience I have all too often. While the breakfast items look similar to other veg restaurants, they did set themselves apart. They are not stingy with the gravy! I'll admit, for weekend brunch I am basically looking for a gravy vehicle. So don't give me a lot of biscuits with a dollop of gravy. Two ladles of gravy and one biscuit is the ideal, and I feel like Vita achieved that! Go gravy!
(4)
Ann M.
In our hometown, there are about four restaurant entrees I can order if I want to have a vegan meal I didn't cook, and half of those require me to ask for modifications. So I'm like a kid in a candy store when a restaurant is predominantly vegan. In order to blunt the pain of actually having to choose, I had the soup and salad combo with the Thai coconut soup and the supergrain salad. The soup was nicely flavored and creamy, but with a bit more body than a Tom Yum with coconut milk added. I didn't ask, but perhaps the soup incorporated some pureed legumes? The supergrain salad was comprised of black and white quinoa, baby greens (including some fresh herbs), red pepper slices, lovely smoked pepitas, and guacamole. The standard choice is between lemon tahini dressing and carrot ginger. I chose the latter, and it was lovely. The combo comes with the onion herb bread, which was easily the tastiest bread I have ever consumed. Ever. My husband ordered the pesto lasagna, which he enjoyed, and which was slathered in a terrific amount of pesto sauce. It was served with a salad on the side, which looked rather basic, but fresh and good. Our son is twelve, and he is making a heroic effort to expand his culinary horizons after a lifetime of preferring plain peanut butter sandwiches. He ordered the Italian pasta--rotini noodles with crushed tomatoes, vegan sausage, and kale. It was a simply prepared dish, and he enjoyed it. Our server was sweet and efficient, but not smothering. My one complaint would be that the music was just a touch too loud. We're all relatively soft-spoken, and it was a tiny bit hard to converse. We would definitely return.
(5)
Pam M.
Shame on me for coming here for a special birthday. While the service started out friendly it quickly disappeared after our food arrived. The staff seemed disorganized and unable to check on us at any point to offer a second drink, bill or perhaps a piece of birthday cake. After I flagged someone down I asked for a bill and piece of cake. When it arrived I mentioned I was hoping to have it there, but had to get two toddlers home who were near melt down point (after promising cake for the past two hours) I was told "well we are busy" - ouch!
(2)
L. R.
Not much to say except Iove it, vegan friendly, staff friendly as can be and food outrageously good!
(5)
Ashley G.
I tried the Seitan Fajita Platter tonight... it was a very ample meal for $10.95... came with a sizzling platter of seitan, peppers and onions (I nixed the mushrooms in my order). I got a whole separate plate with 4 or 5 corn tortillas, guacamole, vegan sour cream (sort of), brown rice, salsa and chili beans. It's a lot of food. I was hoping to LOVE this dish but I just liked it. Actually the seitan fajita part was great...praise seitan! The vegan sour cream was sort of watered down, not so fond of it. The guacamole came mostly with a giant hunk of hard fork bending avocado (when I tried to smash it), but the waitress brought me some more guacamole when I asked. I would've rather had just plain beans over the chili beans (the taste was a bit much combined with the fajitas). I'm sure I will end up back at Vita again with vegan friends. I might order this dish again. I'm sort of inclined just to get a basket of fries, which seems to be the one thing I really like there.
(3)
Manda B.
Dammit I love this place. I would've givin it 5 stars but the vegan bloody mary's are too expensive for what you get. Country comfort - ohmahguhhhh.... so good. Savory tofu, perfect potatoes, biscuit & almond gravy and veg sausage = heaven on a plate ya'll. Clean, cool paintings, good beers on tap, crazy amounts of vegan options and great atmosphere. I heart Vita Cafe.
(4)
Rosetta S.
Just okay. I've had better elsewhere, flavors were lacking. Tried 6 dishes. "Fish sticks" were just battered tofu, without flavor, fries were blackened, "ranch" dressing chalky, vegan cheese gross. But their thai coconut soup was delicious. Boring, but not awful food.
(2)
Suzie J.
I have been meaning to try out this restaurant located on Alberta for close to 6+ months. I had the opportunity to go just the other night. As you can see from a lot of my reviews with food, I love noodles...I adore them! I decided to go with the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which consisted of a variety of veggies (cauliflower, red and green cabbage, red peppers, kale, mushrooms,etc) in a lemongrass, ginger broth accented with cilantro. You could definitely taste the lemongrass. I wanted this dish to be bottomless - fabulous dish! My friend had the Savory Seitan Stew. It was homemade seitan and veggies served over vegan mashed potatoes. For someone who is not vegan, I tried a bite of the dish and thought it was great as well. It's good to try dishes that you wouldn't normally have at home. If you are around the Alberta district, I would strongly suggest that you try out the Vita Cafe. One place you'll continue to come back to. I know that I will!
(4)
Calvin E.
Since moving to Portland over 2 years ago, this place has become one of my favorite places to eat. I truly enjoy going somewhere and being able to eat everything on the menu. It is heaven. I have tried a good majority of the menu, and while not everything is vegan bliss, it is usually quite tasty and filling. Yes, it is a tad on the pricey side, but I feel the ability to not have to search out food I can actually eat is worth it. My favorites are the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and the Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken Fried Steak. Both delicious and super filling. Also, the raspberry apple cider is my all time favorite fruit beverage. My only real serious gripe with this place is some of the servers tend to act annoyed that they have to do their job. I'm sorry if I need another drink, but I am a lush who is more than happy to tip, if treated with respect. Get over yourself.
(4)
R W.
Vita is a solid three and not one star more. The food is hit and miss, usually a hit. The ingredients are always great, but some things just don't work out. For instance, I will never order soup there again, it's just too risky. Service is very slow and it is not a good lunch place during the week, and on the weekends it's slammed for brunch. Condiments are doled out by the servers who check in infrequently. I really hate that. Refills? Not so much. But you do get a big pitcher of water so that helps. I've gone to the Vita about two dozen times over the last seven years, while it has improved some it still is the same old vegan hipster hole-in-the-wall. That's the good and that's the bad.
(3)
Laurie D.
Nothing to bring me back. Very surprised at the ratings.
(2)
Geanna M.
I go here so often that it's hard to leave an un-biased review. Need a place for non-vegan and vegan family members and/or friends to have fun? Check. Need a place to enjoy a nice cocktail or domestic brew on tap? Check. Need a place for really tasty comfort food at decent prices? Check. Need a place that has a really wide selection of gluten-free items? Check.
(4)
Strea T.
Pretty disappointing. I'm a vegan on a foodtour of Portland, and I must say that much of the food at Vita Cafe was hum-drum, especially for the prices. The macaroni & cheese tasted like there was nothing but soymilk on pasta and was way too expensive at $4.50 for a tiny thimble. The sandwich was alright but also flavorless and something I could have made at home. I got the peanutbutter chocolate cheesecake and it wasn't a big piece but costed $5.50. I make better vegan cheesecakes than they can. At least it didn't taste like silken tofu... It just tasted like firm tofu plus flour. I liked the soup, but that's pretty standard. Our waitress, while smiling and nice, was absent a ton. She never gave us a refill on drinks (soda), didn't ask about a bread choice for my soup, just gave me one the one I didn't want and didn't even split the bill! We will be going back to better places rather than going there ever again.
(2)
Grace B.
My first impression of this place was with my vegan friend who ordered some corn cakes... they were pretty good. I came back here after I started reading the book Eating Animals and was feeling REALLY crazy about food. I had no idea if I still wanted to eat eggs, I was feeling bad about soy products, etc. So I ordered some kind of breakfast with tempeh that was pretty unsatisfying, and decided I was not into the Vita Cafe. A friend wanted to go last week so I humored her. I got the soup and salad which was tasty, and our server was really cute and silly. Also, above our table was an insane unicorn painting. Much better experience. So why is this five stars? The H.O.G. Homemade Herb and Onion bread with almond Gravy. I grew up on single mom income food-- stuff like creamed tuna on toast. The type of thing I thought I'd never get again... until the HOG. The HOG is the most delicious, comforting meal ever. I went there twice in a week to order it. I want to be eating it right now.
(5)
Ben M.
Yuck! Horrible service too. Actually I used to kinda like the sweet potato fries until I ordered them... waited an hour... asked the waitress where my fries were and she replied "don't you know it's good luck when your order isn't put in right away.." she said she would bring me a larger order which when finally came was smaller than a small. Thanks a lot Vita. Keep that penny I left you, you earned it.
(1)
Dana S.
BUFFALO TOFU WRAAAP. SHIT'S LEGIT. I had vegan ranch all over my face because I was eating it like an animal. Felt the need to share that. It was awesome. I want to eat it for life. Also got the vegan club. A double-decker 'wich on sourdough with tempeh bacon, homemade fake turkey and other thingies. Mad good! The fake turkey was ridic! And no, I did not eat both of these by my lonesome, but I probably could have. I could also eat all those desserts in the case. I will definitely be getting a slice of chocolate mint cake next time.
(5)
Lindsay D.
My husband was vegan for the first several years of our marriage so we used to go to Vita all the time. Then he started eating bacon and our restaurant choices shifted. Last night I made it back to the Vita with some friends. The service was friendly, and at an average pace. Prices are decent, nothing too high. I had a great spinach salad. While everyone at the table tasted my vegan mac n cheese and swore it was really good, I wasn't all that convinced. It was ok - but when I think mac n cheese I think gooey and cheesy, and it was more like noodles sprinkled with a lot of vegan parmesan. I'm SO not a wine snob (give it to me in a bottle or a box, I don't care!), but the pinot noir I had seriously tasted like it was the cheapest wine ever. That would be ok for maybe $3 but definitely not $8. Blah! A friend next to me is from Texas, so her standards of things like gravy are high. I knew she would be disappointed with a fake chicken fried steak but she took the plunge anyway (especially after server recommendation). She ate it because she ordered it, but bemoaned it's complete lack of chicken fried steakness when we got to the car. On a high note, their desserts are damned awesome - and vegans can rejoice on that one. Oh yeah - AND IT WAS FREAKING HOT IN THERE! Those of us in skirts/dresses were sweating all over those wooden booths like no tomorrow. I like an open atmosphere, but dudes get some fans or something!
(3)
Isa M.
I have to begin this review by mentioning that I almost died at Vita Cafe. The reason that I have to mention it is that I still go there. At least twice a week. That is how much I love Vita! The service is so much better since they've moved locations, everything comes out fast and the wait staff is super nice and just generally have their shit together. I mention that because in the old place you'd get a sandwich and then 20 minutes later your dining partner would get their sandwich. Now it's like 10 minutes TOPS for everything to get to you, the way you ordered it. So yay. OK so the food. My drug of choice at Vita is breakfast. Awesome almond gravy, excellent scrambled tofu and tempeh, crisp home fries and melty earth balance marble rye. Plus vegan french toast and pancakes! What more could a girl want? Oh, a little thing of nutritional yeast at your table? Yeah, you can have that. I almost always the Vita scramble, it has spinach, garlic and red onion. Can't go wrong. For dinner I have a cardinal rule: stick to the sandwiches! The entrees do tend to be bland and just a little awkward, if food can be awkward. But the sandwiches are the best ever. For some reason the buffalo wrap is listed in entrees, so that is my exception to my cardinal rule, but really it's a sandwich just listed in the wrong section. Anyway, sooo good. Fried hot sauce & firm tofu yumminess, creamy flavorful ranch. Simply slammin'. Other 'wiches I like: fishwhich (outta control tartar sauce) and club (homemade seitan turkey!) The salads are nice too. The quinoa salad with guac and pumpkin seeds and currants, I think it's called the supergrain? Superyum. And the caesar is so good, it's tahini based and you just wanna slurp it up. I didn't give Vita 5 stars because it is so vegan friendly it should just be vegan. Why in the world is there meat on the menu? Also, the biscuit isn't fluffy and flaky, it's kind of muffiny - but I still totally eat it with their awesome gravy. And also, the aforementioned entrees are definitely not 5 star. But a lot of it is, just choose wisely!
(4)
Kate B.
I love, love, love this place. The $1 kids menu from 5-7 daily is a steal -- I hesitate to mention it because I don't want it to become too crowded to get a seat. Our kids have food allergies so vegan options typically work best for us. The vegan mac & cheese is really good -- no weird aftertaste and it doesn't look nasty (this is a real treat for kids who cannot eat the traditional version). We always get the mixed veggie plate as well and it's got a great variety, with the usuals (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) as well as the less typical (kale, cabbage, etc.) It's always fresh and the kids love it. I am personally hooked on the buffalo tofu wrap. My husband really likes the Thai coconut soup w/ that heavenly onion herb bread. The beer selection is good (not great) and they also serve cocktails. We live close by so we're lucky enough to be able to eat here often. I have experienced a few of the cantankerous waitstaff but not enough to keep us away. The food is just too good.
(5)
Matt D.
I absolutely love this place. Since discovering it about 2 weeks ago, I just can't seem to get enough of it and I've gone four times. As someone who eats a 90% plant based diet (even though I don't claim to be a vegan/vegetarian), this place is zen. I can say with 100% certainty that even the biggest of carnivores wouldn't miss having meat while eating at Vita Cafe. Not only do they have fantastic, high quality meat alternatives, but they prepare them in such a way that you don't even care that there isn't any meat. Some of my favorite dishes: The buffalo tofu wrap is outstanding. It's moist (many vegetarian wraps I've had are very dry), spicy, and quite satiating. I don't even like the taste of ranch, but the vegan ranch they use is quite delicious. It's more of just a dill sauce than a ranch dressing. The cheesesteak is an amazing substitute for the original, except it won't clog your arteries. The vegetables and seitan are seasoned and cooked to perfection and placed on the most delicious roll. Finally, the chili. Before having Vita Cafe's, I always thought that Laughing Planet had the best vegan chili. Though they are quite different, Vita has a slight edge due to the fact that it's much more satiating, complex and spicy than Laughing Planet's offering. It also comes with a fantastic corn muffin. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the service can be somewhat inconsistent. I've had some of the greatest service imaginable here, but other waitresses can be downright rude.
(4)
Lid C.
The original Vita left me quite unimpressed and I basically crossed it off my list without the intention of ever going back. After they made the crazy leap across the street (I picture their moving day to look like a game of Frogger), I ended up going back when a friend suggested we meet for breakfast. Everything about the new spot was better: the food, the ambiance, the service, even the location! (kidding) There are a handful of things on the menu that are fantastic time and time again, the chicken fried steak and the buffalo tofu wrap come to mind, and then there are things that are just ok though strangely comforting. That is what Vita is to me: comfort food. Yummy vegan comfort food. I'm a big fan of their Wednesday night happy hour mainly because they have their fishwich for $5 and a habañero infused tequila with lemonade (my creation) for $2. Any place with ample vegan options that has spicy liquor on the well and offers aardvark hot sauce gets a top score from me. I'm just that easy to please.
(4)
Sherri M.
Most days the folks at Vita have everything under control. The drinks are well mixed with quality ingredients & potent. The fries are cooked all the way through. You don't have to wait too long for your order and everything arrives at about the same time. Then there are the off days when the only thing you're happy about is that the drinks are well done because the fries are partly raw in the center, you wait 45 minutes for your order and when it comes they've forgotten someone's dish. Oh and the vegan desserts are from the far less tasty Piece of Cake (who use hydrogenated shortening in their goods, or so I was told by a bakery manager at one of the New Seasons shops) Other than that -- The drinks rock, I've only had a couple of soups that were less than stellar, the super-grain salad could only be improved by changing out the guacamole for slices of avocado, when the fries are cooked properly, they are excellent, the corn cakes rock, and their mashed potatos are one of my favorite vegan comfort foods.
(4)
Raquel W.
Great atmosphere, great food!! Highly recommend their Thai Coconut Milk Soup. So incredibly yummy!! Yes its vegetarian/vegan, but they also cater to the carnivores, I had (real) bacon on my BLT. Be open minded about food when you go, if you're gonna get snarky about the kind of food they serve, move on, there's plenty of other places to eat on Alberta!
(4)
MoDa M.
No, oh no. Coffee was the worst coffee I've had since living in the Pacific Northwest for eleven years. And the food tasted like cardboard - wait, make that bland cardboard. Vegan / vegetarian food does not have to be tasteless like this. Maybe they were having an off day when we visited, but our ick experience was enough to keep us from ever going back again. Luckily, it was a bright sunny day, so the outing made for a good bike ride there and back.
(1)
Abby B.
We were the second patrons of the day, but our waitress was already in a foul mood (we think this might have just been her general mood). I ordered their breakfast specialty: corn cakes, and then listened as she told every table after us that they were out of corn cake batter because "someone had already ordered it". I repeat, we were the second patrons of the day! The corn cakes were my first and happened to be tasty, but my companion's thick french toast was not cooked all the way through, so it was the equivalent of two pieces of french toast sandwiching a dry, stale piece of bread. Although neither dish was served with a side, along with our collective breakfast came a swarm of gnats (yes, gnats) that didn't leave until our plates were bussed. The waitress dropped the check on the table without asking if we wanted anything further, and seemed annoyed when we showed interest in dessert (we were using up a certificate & knew we wouldn't return). The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake was from Sweet Pea Bakery and was so dry that it actually crumbled as the fork hit it. The visit was a hot mess from beginning to end.
(1)
Angie V.
I dined at this place twice during my stay in Portland. Both times, the food was excellent! Maybe I am just used to over priced Los Angeles vegan food, but the prices seemed relatively cheap. I was happy about that. My only gripe is the waitress on both occasions was a little bit rude. But, hell! I was on vacation, that was soooo not going to ruin my time at Vita. Do yourself a favor and try the BBQ Things! Yum!
(4)
Mandy B.
Yum, yum, yum! I have not been to many vegan places in Portland, so not much to compare to, but I had an excellent experience at Vita. The only "bad" thing about this place is there were too many menu options. I wanted everything and had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted. The only logical thing to do was get a combo plate and try bits and pieces of my friend's order. I got the soup/salad combo. My favorite part was the Super Grain Salad with lemon tahni dressing! Party in your mouth! The combination of sweet/tart currants with the lemon dressing and guacamole dance together harmoniously. The one item in the salad I would recommend doing without was the tempeh bacon crumbles...not a fan. My soup was the Thai Coconut soup, which I was anxious to get, because thai soup is usually not my bag baby. However, going off recommendation from our helpful server I gave it a go- what a wonderful surprise! Even better was the fan-frickin-tastic onion bread to accompany the soup. I also had a bite of my friend's Mexican Corn Cake, not bad, but do not get if you do not like cilantro bc it is full of the flavor. Also, I would recommend getting this as a substitute for bread rather than making it your full meal (and be aware they are big corn cakes).
(4)
Haylie B.
For breakfast. Pretty standard except for the coffee and corn cakes (instead of pancakes).....yowsers! Excellent coffee (black), and the corn cakes were super tasty...slightly crunchy but not to much. Eggs are farm fresh which always seem to have a tastier yolk...and the bacon...was bacon...yum! Friend got the Faux Tofurkey Florintine. I didn't taste it, but I didn't hear raving reviews. Honestly, I looked like a usual eggs Benedict. I shall return if the mood so strikes, but not itching to go back.
(3)
Andrew O.
Confusingly enough, there is a Caffe Vita (no relation) a block down from this place. After finding the right spot (we're dumb), we enjoyed a solid vegetarian dinner. This spot reminds me quite a bit of Watercourse Foods here in Denver. I had the 'turkey' reuben, which was probably the best I've ever had. They used their homemade veggie meat, which was so much better than the tempeh most places use. Service was friendly and quick. I'd probably eat here pretty often if I lived in Portland.
(4)
Stephen H.
BEST vegan buffalo wings I've had. Philly cheeze steak and lemongrass noodle bowl are awesome too. Noodle bowl had a fresh, tasty broth, and was colorful as well. Vita is not the healthiest vegetarian food since it is fried and has heavy use of wheat gluten or soy (something I hope will change with the next generation of vegetarian cuisine), but a great take on classic american fare. It's like vegetarian versions of my favorite college food. Great prices too. They have $5 specials every day. Unbeatable!
(5)
Rori L.
For my first time there, I had a delicious time. The wait was modest for a weekend, so we were able to get seated in approx. 20 minutes. After sipping on some tasty coffee at our table, we placed our orders and waited. Though we were patiently sipping for a little longer than I expected, there was plenty going on in the place-so I didn't feel too bummed. Once the food did come-woohoo! My cornmeal pancake with hazelnuts and maple syrup was one of the best I had had to date (beats Cup and Saucer around the corner). The mexican corncakes were amazing as well-I'll be back just for those. We didn't get too crazy for our virgin visit, but I will definitely be back with an appetite.
(4)
Kevin E. F.
Like the staff. Like the selection. Unfortunately, it is phony. Phony because they have no integrity regarding the ingredients but can have corn syrup in sauces and condiments. Confronted the owner on this, his reply was "The good news is you don't have to eat it." He said it twice! So I suggest you take his advice. You might want to know that Mr. Woo is also the owner of Natural Selections.
(1)
Derek N.
I had heard about the delicious food at Vita Cafe before i moved to Portland so i went in expecting a lot. I definitely was not let down! I've been there several times (old and new location) and have never left unsatisfied. Their vegan selections are some of the best in town and are always filling (but don't leave you feeling stuffed, which is good). The staff is always very nice and accommodating and have never had a bad experience with them. Their giant booths are perfect for a large group of friends you want to share a meal with. The first thing i tried there was the Buffalo tofu wrap. Being a native of Buffalo,NY i'm always weary of Buffalo style things i order outside of Western NY. To my surprise, they did a really good job with the wrap and i couldn't have done better myself. They also have bottles of Frank's hot sauce which is always a plus. Their vegan nachos are my favorite in Portland so far. I could go on and on about all the great dishes they serve, but I'm going to stop rambling right now so you can get up and go try this place for yourself! What are you waiting for?
(5)
Jamie E.
Awesome fresh food at a reasonable price. The breakfast burrito was heavenly...
(5)
erin g.
I don't think this place needs another review but I can't not Yelp a place that I go to for the first time! Great vegan and vege options. Hand the tofu denver scramble, tofu, onions, peppers and potatoes were awesome. Great flavor, big serving. Top it off with home made bread and I'm in heaven. The BF had the breakfast burrito and said it was "earthy" tasting. I didn't taste it (contained eggs) but he did eat it all... No wait to boot! Will be back.
(4)
Bryan W.
The food is above 5 stars, especially the Buffalo Tofu Wrap, but the staff is never personable and seems to always give the shortest answer possible. I understand that it's a busy cafe but even when you sit at the bar you get almost 0 interaction despite being in front of the staff nearly the entire time you're there. Having said that... vegan, vegetarian or not (which I'm not) the food is insanely delicious. We go nearly once a week and we live in Vancouver.
(4)
Mike A.
Vita is a great place to eat whether by yourself or with a bunch of friends. Kinda bummed it's not 100% vegan, but it does make it easier to get non-vegan friends to eat out with you. The food is amazing. My personal favorites are the chicken friend steak, Italian pasta, Caesar salad, and the buffalo things! They also have Secret Aardvark hot sauce, which is amazing on anything! The only downside is that the staff can be inattentive quite often, even with an nearly empty restaurant. I don't mind though, but I've heard a lot of people complain about it.
(5)
Andrew P.
Best Vegan joint in NE. I come here weekly and have never been dissatisfied. I like going on weekends after waking up late, and just watch people go by on Alberta through the big shutter windows that are usually open. They do a good job with their substitutes considering they have so many, ie almond gravy, cheeses (though it is daiya in some cases), sour cream, lots of that stuff is easy to screw up. I've had nearly everything on the menu, so here are some recommendations: -For breakfast if you get there before 3: Country comfort; chicken fried steak is worth the novelty alone. Mmmm gravy. Stumptown coffee is everywhere but for some reason it tastes especially good here. - Vegan Nachos! Quite good and they don't mess up the vegan part. Their chips are clearly store bought Sanitas or something though. - The Reuben is actually really good (my partner orders it religiously), I recommend it with tempeh. -The fries here are phenomenal chunky things. - The supergrain salad is wonderful if you feel like a healthier side. -I've only ever gotten one "special", I was the first person to ever order one, the waitstaff invented it that morning. It was a burger with hummus, guac and jalapenos in it. The tastes clashed, the hummus (homemade) needed some work, but I admire their creativity. But it was a tiny thing, which is what I disliked most. Their regular mushroom and onion burgers are awesome! -I've had three soups and felt that they have all been on the bland side. -Finally, if you are starving, the Fajitas with "faux-rizo" is a huge dish that comes out on two plates (one for fixin's, the other a steaming hot skillet). Food coma imminent and TOTALLY worth it. Their Bloody Mary is so packed with awesomeness it is a meal in itself. Most folks should be able to find something they like from their rotating list of beers on tap. I'm reading some reviews about the service; I would like to say that I've never felt uncomfortable, ignored or otherwise victim of the "sleep"/"snoot" some folks have mentioned. The waitstaff don't kiss rings but they do greet people warmly and they do their best (it can get super busy here on weekends around brunchtime). They certainly don't stop moving. I leave them regular love letters. Speaking of which, there can be a wait on weekends during brunchy hours. I've found it moves really quick with half the people end up going elsewhere on Alberta, and my partner and I are usually seated within ten minutes.
(5)
Katrina B.
Vegan french toast - A+ Fruit Smoothies - A+ Rice and Currants Porridge - B (I discovered I don't like hazelnuts, but it's still really yummy with coconut milk.) Service - A Ambience- A So many delicious looking items on the menu it was really hard to choose. I can't wait to go back and try lunch and dinner.
(5)
Jordan P.
Very good and accommodating. I'm new to vegetarianism, but this place has a packed menu that's consistently good. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and have a meatless proclivity.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
My husband brought me take-out from Vita, and it was delicious even when microwaved the next day! Call me sacreligous, but I ordered the Spicy Salmon cakes and I put them on a spinach salad for lunch. They were awesome- subtly spicy, excellent salmon flavor, not too much onion. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a salmon cake. My husband (who ate there with a group) said his seitan cheesesteak was excellent as well, and he's not a seitan eater normally. He loved the service, raved about how nice the waiter was (even commenting that the service "wasn't the typical crappy Portland service") and the group he ate with also raved about their food. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)
Nicole L.
Gluten-free options for all the celiac-sprue folk. For this, I thank Vita Cafe. May I recommend the Thai Corn-Cilantro-Banana Pancake heavenly breakfast? Mmmm. Yum.
(4)
Jenny C.
The moment I walked into Vita Cafe I knew I'd like it. Maybe even love it. It's the darnedest thing really. Normally if I encounter anywhere that offers predominately a vegetarian and/or vegan fare my "do not want" receptors flash and fade like a canary in a coal mine. But stepping into Vita Cafe, it didn't happen. Was my safety bird already long dead? That'd be kind of ironic given that part of the vegetarian point is to save our little winged friends. But I digress... My friends and I slid into a back booth and poured over the pages of dinner options as the waitress poured out the water. After plenty of time to debate I finally settled on a greek salad. It comes in two sizes, the larger of which was perfect for a main dinner entree. Pitted kalamata olives (a weakness) with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and feta, were drizzled with a fantastic basil vinaigrette. It really was an ideal summer dinner. The cafe has the same vibe as many of the other shops along Alberta. While it's probably one of the nicer restaurants on the strip, it's certainly not pretentious. The staff is friendly and customers seem generally happy to be there. We stopped by early on a Friday night, and were just four of the maybe dozen people there. But even if it was packed, I'd still imagine it would feel as spacious as if we had been the only ones there. The high ceilings and smattering of art and old signs on the walls give the place a clean and simple look that is nice to take in for a while. We were in an out in about an hour, just right for a first stop on a night out. And as we were leaving, we passed by a young family sitting down at a table and I could have sworn that I heard a quietly whistled song... ... maybe my canary is singing a new tune?
(4)
suzzette f.
My hubby and I eat here, at least once a week. Best soups in town. Yay!
(5)
David T.
Great food, good prices. I cannot have any type milk from a cow. I know I can trust Vita Cafe to serve good, safe and nutritious food.
(5)
Michelle H.
Confession: I could almost be vegan, and not feel deprived. ALMOST. I do love meat, and I love dairy even more, but there are times I could go on a binge of vegan eating and be content. At work, for ages, they thought I was at least vegetarian. I have no problem ordering up meatless meals. Apparently that threw up red flags, especially when I'm getting these meals on the company dime. I'm not getting the expensive fish? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love fish--it's probably my favorite. Sometimes I just want to try the butternut squash enchiladas. There is something almost more exotic when you get into some of the complex dishes vegetarians and vegans get behind. Call me crazy. I know I do. So when a vegetarian friend wanted to hit up Vita for her birthday (or did I kind of suggest it? I can't remember), I was ready, willing, and able to see what the cafe had to offer. I was sincerely overwhelmed with delicious choices of diner/cafe foods. Oven roasted vegetable lasagna with portobello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, spinach, basil and tofu? Yum. Hell, the seitan fajita platter sounded amazing. They have daily specials, which happened to include a veggie patty melt that almost won me over. Ultimately I went with the supergrain salad which was a huge heaping plate of black and white quinoa, tempeh bacon crumbles, red peppers, currants, pumpkin seeds and guacamole with carrot ginger dressing. I supplemented it with a cup of thai coconut soup, thinking that most salads leave me feeling hungry within an hour or two. BOY WAS I WRONG. That salad, while an amazing and beautiful sight, left me stuffed beyond belief. It's also not a good friend to braces. I was picking quinoa and seeds out of my for ages after. It was a definite gum massage, too. It was still worth every bite. Everything was fresh, grainy, and it just felt good going down. That Thai coconut soup was delicious as well. It came with two pieces of herb and onion bread that were to-die-for. I'd go back purely for more bread, I kid you not. It was so good. It was soft and dense and begged me to eat it. I need to go back for more of those entrees, but more importantly I need to go back for breakfast. I imagine it's a little more crowded than dinner was on that early-ish Saturday night. The breakfast menu looks equally superb, and frankly I'm just a breakfast person. They serve it until 4pm, too! That fits great with my 2pm breakfast time I've been adopting lately. Service was quick. They split our check without an issue. It was a pleasant experience. If we weren't so stuffed, the desserts in the case in the front looked beautiful. They're from local bakeries in town, so you know they're going to be amazing. I enjoyed everything from the confines of this vegan haven. Don't worry though, I'm not getting fully swayed to the dark side. They had some salmon cakes on the menu that were calling my name as well. Some things never change.
(4)
Em H.
Soo I've been here a couple times. The reuben is good. the veggie burger is good. the truffles are good. The Bloody Mary is one of the best i've had in town. But it is not that great of a vegan cafe. You could make better for less at home. I was looking forward to the buffalo tofu wrap but its just an unseasoned slab of steamed tofu with some franks red hot in a wrap (not worth $7.50). The Fish n Chips were another unseasoned slab of tofu but the tartar sauce definitely helped (not worth $7.50). The breakfast burrito was god awful and way overpriced. I hear some of the pasta meals are good, maybe one of these days i'll go back and gamble 10-12 bucks away on one of those or maybe i'll just make some good home-made pasta for 3 bucks.
(2)
Laura J D.
vegan comfort food is a tough one sometimes. I understand that vegetables are delicious, but so is salt and fat. That's what I ate today: a giant plate of salt and fat and bread. It was good. It wasn't GREAT. I'm a mediocre cook, and I feel like I could have created about the same quality of meal at home. But, it's nice to have someone do the shopping for you, prepare the meal for you, serve it to you, and clean up after you. Worth every penny. Our server was a super-sweet and attentive lady. Even though we were immobilized with gluttony after french toast, biscuits and gravy and a faux-meat french toast towering sandwich, she persuaded us into trying the vegan/raw peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake. So glad she did. We'll be back again!
(4)
christy c.
OH MY GOSH there are SO many amazing vegan restaurants in Portland! SO JEALOUS! Go here! We had nachos (yum!), chili (YUM!) and I had a 'fish and tarter sauce sandwich' (DOUBLE YUM!) Food here awesome. Service really cool. And a cool bicycle atmosphere. go here and pig out. easy to do...
(5)
Darin S.
This place is fantastic. I'm a full on carnivore, and I'd eat here every day. I realize they serve meat. But their vegetarian and or vegan food is fantastic. Everything is great here!
(5)
Del R.
The VIta Cafe and I have had a long, torrid love affair since I first moved to Portland back in '02. They were also my first exposure to vegan fare. I once even posted a I Saw U for one of the wait staff for whom I had a major crush on, but never owned up to it. Now they have long since moved across the street into much better digs, although the lighting is a bit hard on the eyes at times. Their food remains oh so good. My favorites include the New York Breakfast with tofu, steamed veggies and the Thai corn cake; vegan chicken fried steak, tofu fish and chips. There portions are great and their prices are reasonable.
(4)
Meredith P.
My favorite time to come here is for dinner. I don't come on the weekends for breakfast because there are too many damn hungry, hungover hipsters, and I don't like to wait 1.5 hours for a table. With that said, come on a weekday night for dinner, and you'll be very pleased. Service: some of the waiters have come off like asses, but some are really nice, so it is probably affected by the mood of the staff on any given day. Food: absolutely best diner Vegan food in Portland. Not too expensive. Ambiance: very nice, I like.
(4)
Zachary L.
I was rather impressed with this place. It was frequently busy, so I figured they must be doing something right and their food definitely conveyed that thought. Out of my whole vegan tour of Portland, this was home of what I believed to be one of the best vegan tempeh sandwiches I've ever had. They even have vegan ranch dressing, which got me pretty excited. The appetizers were also top tier. When I tried their vegan buffalo things I flipped out! There was this one waitress who really impressed me. I said I had a question about one of the local beers and if it contained honey, she said "oh no, it's vegan!" It's knowledge like that which makes customers, especially vegan customers, want to keep coming back.
(5)
Mayte D.
Love this spot! Yum. Been here a few times in the past 5 years or so...can't wait to go back : )
(5)
Marsha Z.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to come back, as there were so many things on the menu I wanted to try. But when you're trying to do the whirlwind veg tour of PDX, it's hard to go back to the same spot twice. Since I doubt I was going to get another shot at this place soon, I went for the favorite: chicken fried steak (deep fried tempeh, with mashed potatoes and almond gravy). While very tasty, dare I say, it was too much "meat" and potatoes for my liking. They shouldn't charge extra for sides; there certainly was enough room on the plate for some greens (or mac and cheese). It really would've balanced out the dish more. All in all, they seemed to be a standard veggie cafe of largely American fare that serves b-fast, lunch, and dinner. Staff were laid back and friendly, prices, reasonable.
(4)
Kitt J.
I used to come here a lot with a boy who very recently (read: today) shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. So you can be sure I mean it when I give the place four stars. The peppered bacon and biscuits here could almost mend my broken ticker. Almost. That's some pretty serious breakfast.
(4)
Jennifer H.
I was referred to this restaurant by some of my friends in Arizona who had dined here. There was a nice crowd for dinner, but we were able to be seated right away. I love that I had so many vegan options. I ordered a salad and sandwich. My husband had the mac and cheese. Our tummies were full and happy when we left.
(4)
Ash. A.
So, I finally made it to Vita Cafe! It seemed sort of inevitable since I work nearby and I am a pescatarian. Well, firstly let me just say...the drinks here are fantastic. I got the Blue Jay which consisted of a vodka soda with some blueberry puree and orange. I actually felt healthy drinking it since I was putting the toxins in but countering them with the antioxidants from the blueberries.....right? Secondly, the food was very good. The menu ranges from simple sandwhiches and soups ...... to stir-fries and creative Italian dishes. On this particular evening I opted for the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which is a glorified Pho dish. It was pretty good after a heavy dowsing of hot sauce and had a great selection of veggies swimming in the lemony broth. My friend got the Flamin' Tempeh dish. It looked great, but I was too busy eating and drinking my own things to ask for a bite. I will definitely return at a later date for the cheap $5 menu (served all night) and a piece of the wonderfully, delicious looking cakes.
(4)
Kathy P.
I've heard great things about this place, so when some friends needed a spot near Alberta to eat and catch up on our lives, we went to Vita Cafe. Wait staff were kind and helpful without being overbearing. I had the Fajitas Platter which could satisfy even a meat eater...it was fresh, tasty and Vegan! It came out on a skillet sizzling and smelling yummy. I also had the greens salad which was fine. And I enjoyed the IPA beer on tap as well. They serve items that meat eaters can enjoy which is nice...so we all get what we enjoy. Popular, busy, tasty and a fun place to eat.
(5)
Mishel F.
Yum! amazingly delicious breakfast. I highly recommend the rice porridge and housemade seitan sausages - they are absolutely delicious. The "huevos" rancheros were also great, with a housemade, spicy ranchero sauce over tofu and mixed veggies - delicious. Service was slow and inattentive, but they were packed. I'd definitely be back for more.
(4)
jeni s.
came here for the first time and made the difficult decision to order the buffalo tofu wrap. my companions ordered some of the other things i wanted so i tried a bit of the reuben and the super grains salad too. everything was super yummy, but the fries were surprisingly good. they tasted like homemade french fries, but crispier (though still thick and potatoey on the inside). within 2 days i was craving to go back and get the buffalo tofu wrap again. i'm so excited about this place. good job folks.
(4)
Anthony D.
I've visited this place a number of times over the past 6 years or so. I appreciate the number of vegan options - the food has generally been great. The staff, not so much. I've found them often to be inattentive, and this past week when I was in one was wearing a cutoff skirt so short that her ass cheeks were hanging out above her torn fishnets. In a proper context I'm all for scantily-clad women, but at lunchtime in a restaurant that purports to be family-friendly?
(3)
Lena W.
I am neither vegan nor vegetarian, but I am a fan of both the vegan and vegetarian food that Vita Cafe has to offer. For those who can't bear to eat without meat, they have food with meat and cheese in it as well, so there really is no excuse to not try this place out. Their Mac and "Cheese" is really addicting, and their vegan burger (I added cheddar cheese to mine) had one of the best vegan patties I'd ever tasted. Yum! This place has such a hip-yet-down-to-earth vibe that it's impossible to feel stressed while dining, and just to complete the Portland signature, the coffee they serve is Stumptown...complete with your choice of real cream or soy milk.
(4)
Kerri H.
Vita is a great place to go on Alberta. They have a new location, and I'm sorry to see that outdoor area go!! :( The new location had front windows wide open, we'll see how that goes when hot, hot weather gets here. Things I love about Vita: great menu for vegans and carnivore's alike. And the way they tease you with the dessert case as you walk in the door. Those desserts are scrump-deeeliecious!!!! Things I can do without: fruit flies in my (otherwise fresh) drinks, and the smell of dirty dishwater after they clean a table. Service is always great, and it is well worth any wait on those busy days.
(4)
D. B.
Love this place! Home-style, comfort food, vegan heaven. Order half the menu and share. Delicious!
(5)
M M.
Good vegan comfort food! The service is good. I appreciate the restaurant because I can bring my friends that aren't vegan or vegetarian there to dine without complaint.
(4)
Jana S.
Probably the best Vegan food I've had..granted that has not been much. They have everything from yummy food, great drinks and deserts. My favorite, by far, is the buffalo wrap. Vegan ranch??? Come on people! That's awesome. I will say that the prices are a bit steep, and I would like to have a side of fries with my burger or wrap. Stay away from the peanut sauce - probably the heaviest ever. Seriously, you might as well take peanut butter and put in on your food. Boo hiss! Overall a good place. Some items on the menu will blow you out of the water, and others blow out of the...you know..other end.
(3)
Brett M.
Vita is the place to go when a) everything sounds good, b) nothing sounds good, or c) you have a large, hungry, picky group. They have a bar, huge booths and intimate tables. It really works for any group and any occasion. The vita menu is deceptively small looking, but packed with choices. Burgers, sandwiches, Italian entrees, Mexican entrees, Southern comfort food - its all here and its all *delicious*. The Pesto Lasagna, Chicken Fried Steak, & Seitan IPA Stew are favorites, but none match the epic Turkey Club. A double decker masterpiece of hot tofurkey, savory tempeh bacon and guacamole on yummy toasted bread. Add a side of vegan ranch and that'd be my death row dinner choice. The appetizers are equally noteworthy and often eaten as meals themselves. The buffalo "wings" (crispy tofu strips - also available with BBQ) are delicious. The vegan nachos are enormous. They have a great selection of beers on tap (HUB!) and awesome happy hour specials on Wednesday. The mac and cheese is hit or miss, but you really can't go wrong with the rest of the menu. Staff is friendly and fast even when the place is packed with noisy, demanding groups (of which I've often been a part). Just a great place to dine on all accounts.
(5)
Michael L.
The last time I went to Vita Cafe, the service was less than stellar. New location, new attitude. The staff were friendly and professional. And prompt. Which is very nice. I could tell that something was new. But on to why we actually came here - food. My wife and I started a gluten-free/dairy-free diet a few weeks ago, for health reasons. Combine that with the Hawthorne Aveda salon for a Mother's Day massage and we have a near-required Vita-Cafe visit. The food has always been good; tonight, it was superb. My wife had the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. I tried some and it was delicious. I had a chili burger (sans bun) and a small Greek salad. Oh.My. Just incredible all the way around. The salad had usual salad fare - lettuce, tomatoes, cukes - but also olives, red onion, olives, red peppers, olives, and a green pesto-like dressing. And did I mention olives? My daughter had the kid's mac and cheese with broccoli and, while *she* didn't like it, I tried it and it was pretty darn good. She might not have liked the texture, which was a little on the gritty side, but it was good. But hey, she's 4 :)
(4)
Kenny H.
The Veggie Reuben Sandwich is THE BOMB. No one makes a better one! Hopworks Beer Washes it down perfectly. The Spicy French Fries are Kick Ass to! One thing I had that was "Meh": The Seitan BLT sandwich was uneventful. Fakin Bacon is where it's at. Just make that at home. People here are way nice as well. Update: Went yesterday night to the recent location. Food was subpar, the server was really rude, the fries were all burnt yet greasy... they ONLY have happy hour on Wed night (WTF?) $4 was pricey for a less than ideal poor of local beer. wha happen?????? I would make this review a 2, but I do not want to lose faith too fast.
(4)
Evil Vegan ..
Please open a Vita Cafe in North Park, San Diego
(4)
Patrick T.
Disappointed this lunch visit, but will definitely be back to try the other tasty-looking items on the menu...my experience this visit: I ordered the mac n cheese with chili. I assumed the chili would be on the side not mixed in throughout the bowl...I prefer to manually mix myself so I can compare the individual flavors of the chili and macncheese. With the chili and mac premixed this lunch was relatively uninspiring and the flavor of the mac-cheese-chili mixture just ordinary. I also wasn't hungry hungry and specifically asked how big the bowl of mac was. The response I received left the impression the bowl wouldn't be too big. The portion size was huge and could easily satiate two people. In conclusion, the portion size is great, the pasta cooked perfectly, but because it was premixed it didn't work out as good as I was looking forward to and as good as the other patrons' meals looked and smelled. I'll be back but will ask more specific questions next time.
(2)
Phillip V.
I thought this place was really good. I got some sort of vegan bean soup that was rich, flavorful, and filling. I got some kinda vegan BLT that was great, but my companion's quinoa salad took the cake. I ignored the pretentious party seated next to me, sizing up my order and discussing philosophy. Maybe I was just used to cheap bar food, but I felt like I had to be careful with my spending here.
(4)
Ann K.
Date Visited: Sunday 7/20/08 (Lunch) Nine of us decided to have a nice leisurely lunch at Vita Cafe. We were lucky enough to get outdoor seating, though the table was a little too small for all of us and the umbrellas only managed to shade some of us. As organizer of my group, I sacrificed myself to the sun and took a sunny spot. I survived. The food may not be worth the cancer I could get as a result of that sun exposure, but it was pretty darn good. I have never had a regular BLT sandwich in my life, so it seemed weird to have a vegetarian one. I really enjoyed it and if my work computer didn't crash everytime I tried to access the Vita Cafe website, I would tell you more about it. Let's just say that I really enjoyed it and my guests all really enjoyed what they ordered as well, so I have a feeling that you will probably enjoy the food there as well. I plan on going back many, many times and update this pathetically short review. Date Visited: Saturday 9/6/08 (Dinner) It's one of the rare times that I'm kinda glad my original plans fell through. I had to change my rating for this place thanks to this night. I had a 'Chicken' Fried Steak meal that came with mashed potatoes and it was all smothered in an almond gravy. OH MY GOD. It's been over a week since I had it and I'm still craving the darn thing! I want it day after day! I've been having some stomach issues and I distinctly remembered that I was not only terribly energized after eating this meal, but my stomach felt fine! I hope it stays a 5-Star place for me and that it's around for years and years to come.
(5)
January M.
Excellent Bloody Mary. Damn. Even just thinking about it. So so so good. I'd go back for another, but unfortunately I did not dig my meal at all. I ordered the tofurkey Florentine (bacon subbed) so, it was actually eggs benedict. The most perfectly poached eggs, super tasty bacon and fresh spinach were unable to make up for soggy English muffins and chalky coagulated vegan hollandaise sauce. Our plates had obviously been sitting for a while before they were brought to us. Inattentive service became the theme of our meal which took nearly 3 hours to complete. I know what you're thinking, "Portland+Breakfast=Wait" Waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a table to become available is something we've all come to expect. But in my experience, once you sit down, you're taken care of. The place was not full, but our server was no where to be found. I got kind of fed up after a dog (that was allowed in the patio) took a shit right next to our table. It's really unlikely that I'll go back.
(2)
Lizzie V.
Note: I haven't visited their new location, but will very shortly. I went through this faze of being intolerant to just about every food item that had taste and during this time of darkness Vita was a God send. I almost cried the first time I went there. The most amazing vegan nachos ever. I love their Thai corn cakes. I love the H.O.G. H.O.G. 3 / 5 homemade Herb and Onion bread topped with almond Gravy I love the price, I love the portions. I love that you can order half sizes. I love Vita cafe.
(5)
Aleksandra E.
Love Vita Cafe! I'm no connoisseur to vegan dining, but this food is delicious. The fried risotto balls are amazing- ricey on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and the "chicken" fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy... I'm still coming down from that one. Go. Eat well. Be happy.
(5)
Kat L.
Oh, to be vegan in Portland... A veritable smorgasboard of options. I just spent a week here, and this was one of my favorite (of MANY) places that I ate. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on various days, so I got the well-rounded experience. I liked the diversity of choices on the menu, and particularly appreciated the abundance of gravy-slathered home-style options. No surprise... I really liked the chicken-fried tempeh w/ potatoes and gravy. My bf had the mac n' cheese, which was pretty good, but not the greatest. The BLT sandwich was straight-forward but good. They had vegan ranch dressing for the salad, which was pretty sweet. As for my breakfast...Coming from a place where I have to drive far to score vegan breakfast, I was initially stoked on everything in PDX, but I started to get spoiled by the end of my stay. Vita was good, but definitely not the best. My bf got the french toast, which was pretty damn good. I had the country-style breakfast (wooo more gravy!!)... The "scramble" was just seasoned cubed tofu, which was good, but not very scrambley in the traditional sense. The gravy of course was delicious, but the plate came with two biscuits...Must've been from different batches, because one was good while the other was hard and dense as a rock. Oh well. I still give this place 4 stars because I'm easy to please, and overall my friends and I left feeling satisfied every time we ate here. Unfortunately, I was always too full for dessert, which did look quite delicious.
(4)
Brandon R.
I love the Vita Cafe. I've been eating here for about 6 years, and while I've had plenty of less than stellar experiences with the service and food quality, it remains the most consistently dependable vegan restaurant I know of. The staff changes from time to time, and some of them have been a bit less than awesome. But overall, it;s got a great neighborhood feel, and there's something very Portland about the mix of hippie/punk/anarchist/fashion chic people that work here. The menu is so diverse and offers so many vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free and organic food options, it's hard to imagine someone not being able to find something they like here. I've brought many an omnivore to The Vita, and they've all found something they really liked about it. The bicycle themed bar and liquor rack is a definite plus, and the road sign wall hangings and revolving art add a nice cultured flair to the experience. I recommend avoiding the entire Alberta St scene on Saturday and Sundays, especially from 10 to 2, but if you must go, you might be surprised to find the wait at The Vita A LOT shorter than any other hip breakfast joint. The desserts are hit or miss, as Piece of Cake is a large outfit that no longer specializes in Vegan dessert. However, their coconut cupcakes are heavenly, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter will be rich and moist and you might have to share. Bring your friends for dinner and drinks, try any of the daily specials, definitely have the Thai coconut soup and the Buffalo Tempeh wrap!
(5)
Joshua D.
Some of the best Vegan food around! I eat meat and love this place!
(5)
Mark L.
I went to the Vita Cafe on the recommendation of my roommate, who happens to be vegan. I went with two friends who, like myself, happen to be bloodthirsty carnivores. But it worked out in the end--Vita Cafe does have meat on the menu, although it's known for its vegan offerings. It is a hippie haven---beards and long hair and important conversations--but comfortable. I like hippies ... unless they smell weird. I went with the Vita Scramble ($8), eggs loaded with veggies like spinach, onions cauliflower--there were actually more vegetables than eggs. The herb and onion toast was delicious. The side of potatoes was good, too ... very buttery. The wait was long, typical for Sunday breakfast spots in Portland, but we made friends with a group who had just purchased a statue of Gene Simmons' head and bust at a yard sale for $60. It was beautiful. And when they were seated, Gene came along, too, and sat right on the table. We thought about buying him a beer, but Vita Cafe doesn't offer PBR. Sorry, Gene. My only quibble, and it's a very minor one, is that the gent who ended up serving us was a little sassy with us while we waited for our table. Once he realized he'd be serving us, he was very delightful. But he was very nice to Gene, and brought a glass of water for him to lap up. The prices are very reasonable, and I hear the Corn Cakes ($4.50 for one; $7 for two) are quite a treat. The Bloody Marys and Mimosas also looked good. I like the fact that Vita also serves meat, and doesn't make you feel like a pig if you do order it. Meat is murder, but bacon is best ... just ask any vegan/vegetarian about their taboo dreams of wanting to secretly devour a salty pork product.
(3)
Abdul I.
The corn cakes are fabulous! My personal fav: Thai Corn. And gotta love the bloody mary!
I want so badly to love this place. Really, I do. It's exactly two blocks from my house and has an outdoor patio that is shaded in such a way as to not force me to look at the street. Their spicy house tea blend is also incredibly good, as is their Buffalo Tofu Wrap. BUT (there is a but), their brunch makes me physically angry. I love brunch. I do. It's a fabulous time of day and is my meal of the week where I eat whatever the fuck I want and chase it with as much coffee as my heart rate can handle. I've been there many times and I never get less disappointed. Why do I still go? (Mostly because I refuse to wait in line at the Tin Shed.) Although the vegetable combinations that they put in their scrambles are tasty (and I am strangely fond of their homemade seitan), the scrambles are not creatively spiced and they USE CUBED TOFU. I'm pretty sure the "scramble" should be a hint to CRUMBLE THE F'N TOFU. To be fair, it's mostly a personal pet peeve. Also, their reubens. I'm a connoisseur of them and I was wholly disappointed in the one I had here. Dry, uninspired, bland. Eventually, when I'm less lazy, I'll stop going here.
(3)
Skylor P.
Ate an awesome breakfast this morning that was so well balanced! Veggies, a corn cake, eggs? yes please. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. As a health coach I was fully satisfied :)
(5)
Briea D.
This place has impressive vegetarian and vegan cuisine that has real flavor. The Thai corn cakes are to die for. The supergrain salad was good, as was the mac and cheese. Good portion sizes. The service was decent, though not stellar by any means. Casual atmosphere perfect for a lazy brunch. Overall, it was worth it.
(4)
Victoria J.
Wow! The "chicken fried steak"? I have never seen a vege-version of chicken fried steak and as it was a specialty of my southern mom's growing up, I HAD to get it.....SO MUCH FOOD!! And Miraculously served with not a speck of grease left from it's deep fried goodness...how do they do that?! I couldn't even finish it and certainly did not have room for any of the amazing cakes we were sitting next too. The plywood booth seating is lame though. With comfort food like that you need something you can really slouch into once the belt notches start loosening
(4)
Z Z.
Vita Cafe is quite good. The menu has a wide range of vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan dishes. I went there with a group of people and we all liked our food. It is small inside but the booths were quite comfy, there was more than enough room for all of us. Vita is cool inside, funky decorations and artwork. It wasn't too crowded in there although the patio was quite crowded, overall it was just a fun night. I was quite pleased to see that you could order half portions of the soups and salads. I ordered the Mediterranean Platter appetizer which had this thick flavorful hummus serviced with olives, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and toasted pita. It was quite good, I especially enjoyed the hummus, it was delicious. I also ordered a half portion of the Greek salad w/the basil vinaigrette on the side. The salad was quite good, the veggies were fresh and quite crisp. Everything was delicious. Everyone that I was with really enjoyed their food, from what I noticed everyone was a member of the clean plate club that is for sure! We were drooling because the waitress kept walking back and forth to the dessert case in the front with this amazing looking cakes. I was a good girl and didn't get anything for dessert but WOW did they look great. Our waitress was a bit of a space cadet but she did warn us right up front that she was out of it. She was nice enough but was spacey. It is pretty mellow in there so don't be surprised if everything takes a short while to come out and to get your check. Fun place though and great food.
(4)
Clarke W.
Stopped in for breakfast. Had the Faux Tofurkey Florentine & The 2+2+2 with vegan sausage. Its always an interesting experience when trying vegan interpretations of classic breakfast food, let alone hollandaise sauce and sausage, but Vita does it well! The Tofurkey Florentine was creamy and smooth & the vegan sausage in the 2+2+2 was smoky and sweet. They serve vegetarian and vegan fare as well as free range, all natural, hormone free meats and eggs. All local and organic, which seems to be the 'Portland' standard.
(4)
Benjamin B.
Got the vegan chicken fried steak and was greatly impressed. I'm a huge fan of chicken fried steak and they definitely did it right.
(4)
Alex K.
Vita Cafe is great place for lunch, or to enjoy a beer and have a solid dinner. They specialize in vegan plates, but also offer some carnivorous delights. Its sort of down home food with a vegan/Portland twist. I live right by it and should frequent more often. The food is good but I'm not enticed by it. Probably because the menu is sort of odd and nothing jumps out and says "Order me. You want to eat me."
(4)
Steal R.
This restaurant is phenomenal! There is such a depth to the menu and so many of the items are just amazing. My fiance and I were heading to a wedding in Hood River, Oregon and wanted to stop at a Vegan friendly restaurant on our drive from the the airport. This was the perfect place. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed and sitting outside was very peaceful. We ordered the Mexican Corncake- awesome, Fries- to die for, and the Vegan Cheesesteak. My fiance ordered the cheesesteak and I ended up stealing half of it. It was made with Satan and it was cooked perfectly and with the perfect spices. We were too full for dessert but vowed to return on our drive back to the airport. And return, we did. This time, we split another sandwich and got the cheesesteak to go. We also ordered the Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake. This was unbelievable. I will travel back to Portland, just to visit this restaurant. I want to move them to San Jose!
(5)
Mark K.
What a great place. I had the "fish" sandwich, which was tofu fried like a fish sandwich and it was GREAT! The atmosphere is nice, the service great, and I just generally appreciate having a vegan restaurant in this part of town. Terrific food!
(5)
Mama L.
Vita seems to be falling apart. They used to have great staff and consistent food, but the past few times I've been there, we haven't had such great food and tonight the service was just bizarre. Our favorite, Vita Chop Salad, was old and gross with giant hunks of raw broccoli (raw should be chopped small, that's why they call it chop salad silly) and wilted lettuce rotting in the worn-out ranch dressing. Needless to say, we aren't getting that again. The portions on the most expensive vegan thing on the menu, the Seitan Fajitas, have been dwindling and they insist on charging extra for a couple of extra tortillas when it only comes with 3. Whatever, I guess it's not a Mexican restaurant. The food tonight was passable except for the Thai pasta with Yuckisobad noodles. The fajitas were delicious as usual. But our waitress was BIZARRE. I've been dieting and was totally psyched to cheat by having a pint of beer, but I really wanted it to be the right one. I LOVE Vita's rotating menu of artisenal beers and how the waitresses always offer a small sample if you are having a hard time deciding. "Red or IPA" I asked myself...HMMMM. My hubby ordered an IPA so I asked to sample the Red. I would be really disappointed if it were sweet. The waitress actually suggested that I sample my friend's beer instead. It wasn't even on the table yet, but she figured she'd just go ahead and invite me to drink out of his glass. I told her he was a hitchhiker I'd just picked up and I would sample my hubby's IPA, the Red and then decide. But you know what, she killed my taste for beer altogether. We were eating with our kid and a friend's kid and we ordered a dish for each of them. They are 4 and 5 respectively and can handily tuck away a plate of rice and tofu. She forgot we had two kids, only brought one order of food, and after apologizing, tried to make it seem like there was something wrong with the kids for not wanting to share. Please leave the parenting to the people with kids and just go ask for more food from the kitchen! At one point I realized I had forgotten to order something for the kids so I walked up to the counter and said so. She just looked at me. So I asked again "Is it okay to still order something, now?" I think 5 whole minutes had passed since our order was placed. I am so sad for Vita!
(2)
Sara S.
The vegetarian rueben really does live up to the hype. It's awesome. Thick slabs of tempeh smothered in vegan 1000 island dressing and saurcraut. Whether vegetarian or the traditional kind, a rueben isn't the type of sandwich I would order. However, I was told Vita was "known" for it, so I got it and so happy I did. The sandwich was filling, but I didn't feel gross afterwards. I felt like I ate healthy, nutritious food, which energized me and kept me going for the rest of the day. Got a side of fries, only ate two of them. They were very bland. I guess I should have ordered the spicy fries, but I didn't see them on the menu! I like the atmosphere and the waitstaff and patrons are great. I would love to come back and try their breakfast (tofu scramble, yes!), and props for the full bar! I'm sure this place gets to be an awesome time at night, and I will surely be back to experience it.
(4)
Spratt M.
Five stars for excellent tofu rancheros with yummy veggies and tasty sauces--tastiness often being the first thing to go whenever veganness is introduced. 3 out of 3 people who had the corn cake loved the corn cake, also. Now, I thought a corn cake was going to be like a crab cake, so I didn't go near it, but it turned out to be a pancake-style deal that comes in 3 different styles, NW being the best (although isn't Vita in the NE? Hmmmm....). Right down the street 'n' around the corner from one of my favorite magazine publishers/feminist enclaves ever, perhaps promoted to favorite magazine publisher ever now that Punk Planet is gone. RIP PP.
(5)
McKenzie G.
Some nights, in Denver, I dream of you. I dream of a place like you with your faux fish sandwich and your homemade mock turkey. Your breakfast bloody marys and your biscuits and mushroom gravy. God, I love you. I can't wait to move back to Oregon to spend time in your sweet wooden booths. I never visit Portland without seeing you.
(5)
joseph f.
First off I should say that it is great having vegan friendly restaurants around, being one myself -- sadly, the food at Vita is so sub-par to awful that it feeds into the stupid stereotype that "vegan food" is terrible. The veggie burger with fakin' tempeh on it was downright terrible and tasted like cardboard. The bun was McDonald's style bland. I don't know how you mess up fries, but ours were pretty unedible -- overcooked and greasy. My wife got the Tempeh Reuben, dry and bland with grocery-style Marble bread. The diner-style Coffe was way overpriced at $1.75. The only soy milk offered was the yucky, flavored kind. On our previous visit we had the mediocre, forgettable seitan-cheesesteak and mac-n-cheese. Not as bad as the food we ordered today, but, again, very underwhelming to say the least.
(1)
Bob M.
Okay so this place has the potential to be a five star vegan spot where you can bring meat eaters. However, the food is slightly inconsistent. The buffalo tofu hot wings if cooked right is amazing. Second time I went they were pretty under cooked and mushy. The vegan philly (seitan) is pretty good. The salmon cakes are decent (only get if you like ginger). The supergrain salad is i nice healthy meal. The best thing I've had is the vegan chicken fried steak-- the almond gravy is delicious. The fries if cooked fully are great skin on fries, but one time I went they were soggy. Wait staff is pretty friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this spot to non meat eaters.
(4)
Erica W.
Yum! The vegan nachos were delicious - really tasty and with fresh guac and yummy salsa. We each got the soup and the Super Grain salad and we loved it. This is vegan food that is tasty and healthy. The menu is not fully vegan and it seemed like lots of folks were enjoying yummy breakfasts. Nice strong coffee. The service was slow but that was because the place was packed and there were only two servers - and one seemed to be doing the entire front half of the restaurant. She was friendly and apologetic and we really didn't mind. The vibe was laid back and there was a mix of people there from an older professional couple to tattooed-20-somethings. No pretense and great food. -1 star for the slow service and bean soup that was a bit too thick, I think my spoon could have stood up in it once it began to cool down.
(4)
Julie V.
We rolled in for breakfast on a Saturday morning around 10:30am. We sat immediately, were attended to instantly, and then mulled over the menu for ages. So much to choose from, so little stomach room. It was nice to have more than two vegan options on a veg menu. Between my husband and I we ordered the chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and a Mexican corn cake. Everything was served hot, looked beautiful, and was flavorful and rich. I appreciated the atmosphere, I can definitely see taking my two kids here. My husband lives in Portland and has eaten here more than I have and has yet to be disappointed. We were going to go back for another meal but remembered they were closing to change locations (moving across the street). I look forward to eating at the new location once I move up to Portland. Inexpensive, delicious food in a family-friendly environment is something I would go out of my way for.
(5)
Daisy C.
I have been there a couple of times now and they fail to impress. Nice ambiance, but seriously mediocre to bleh food and in true Portland tradition- crappy service. I wouldn't avoid the place, but I am not going to go out of my way to eat there either.
(3)
Kiera H.
I have to lower my review. We went with the vegan Mac and Cheese for the first time tonight and it was not good at all. I am very surprised. $7 for what could have been made with noodles and one of those packets of vegan cheese sauce. We could have made better at home using the cheesy sauce recipe from "How it all vegan." Very disappointing. However, we agreed that if they would have called it "vegan tuna casserole," we would have understood more.
(3)
Jen S.
I'm mostly vegetarian with an occasional tendency toward fish, but I was craving something vegan (or at least partially vegan) today so I headed over to Vita Cafe for the first time. I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this place. Just the thought of vegan gravy made me so happy - I haven't had biscuits and gravy in forever. So I ordered the Country Comfort breakfast for lunch, and alas... Pros: nice staff, pleasant atmosphere, lots of options at lunchtime, two scrambled eggs really was two eggs instead of the massive heap of eggs you get at other diners when you order two eggs Cons: tempeh bacon (too tempeh-y, I prefer Morningstar over their version), almond gravy (too salty and grainy), biscuits (too dense) Could just be my taste though. I'll go back, for sure - they donate 1% of sales to local environmental and social non profits, for one thing, and I'm intrigued by the Mexican corn cakes and many of their dinner dishes. So I look forward to upping the rating soon...
(3)
Marc H.
Seriously good. After moving back from the east coast, it doesn't take much veg food on a menu to get my attention but this was great. Not only could I eat almost anything on the menu, I bet it is fantastic. I am going back to try it all. This time around I had the seitan fajitas. Never thought to cut really thin slices of seitan for fajitas but I will be trying it at home for sure. Doubt I will match Vita's goodness. The vibe is low-key. It was ~7pm on a Saturday and not busy at all. No wait and a few empty tables. Looks like everybody else was missing out. Not as cheap as it gets but pretty inexpensive. Entrees between ~$7 and $12. Fajitas were like $10 or so.
(5)
Alicia P.
Close friend decided to become vegan and my first thought, "oh F, there goes going out to eat together." Room mate (who is the unofficial mayor of Alberta) suggests Vita. service was good, place was casual, windows were open wide. Menu is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, but I was still able to have an egg with lunch! The potato cake was amazing, I think it was southwestern style and the sauce was zesty. I also had a smoothie that came in a canning jar. Friend was able to eat her vegan meal (I was too busy eating my meal to notice what she ordered-but she likes it!) and we both suggested we stick with Vita again. I also plan on taking my recently health conscious parents here next month for breakfast.
(4)
H M.
Wow, what a joke this place is. We came here for Mothers Day. You know my son & man wanted to take me out for something yummy. For some reason they choose this sh*thole. Ive heard bad stories about this place but I wanted to try somewhere new so I still came here with a clear mind. Not very busy. Open clear tables. Few people waiting so we write our name and sit down. 30 minutes goes by. Everybody else is seated. We aren't. Mind you we were the only people there with a child who is chilling in his stroller. Still open tables...still waiting. Waitress' walks by over 10 times, hostess keeps glancing at list, NO acknowledgement. Still waiting. Finally a guy that was behind the counter comes out checks the list, looks at us, looks at the empty table, walks over to empty table AND KEEPS WALKING. So I ask my man "we've been sitting here for 30 minutes...that tables been empty...should we say something?" So he walks over to the guy who is back behind the counter. Nicely asks if there are any open tables. And whoa were we not expecting his head up the a** attitude! Then it dawned on me...this is one of those Non-Breeder Righteous Vegan dives. So We Left. In no way will I ever support a place that employs trust fund bred hipsters who were never taught to respect others. The amount of employees they had running this place is ridiculous to not have any of them be able to personally interact with the customers even if they don't fit in their "look".
(1)
Michelle B.
Oh I love Vita... I LOVE the Tempis Rueben! I can't get enough... My boyfriend loves the chili and fries. I also really like the spicy tea. yum... One of my 3 favorite places to eat in Portland...
(5)
Ryan E.
it never ceases to amaze me; you call something vegan and people think its amazing. i made the mistake of going all out and ordering the chycken fried steak and the fysh and chips the first time i went. DISGUSTING and i like it deep fried. bland unseasoned tofu fried in batter with soggy bottom of the batch fries. the corn cakes are the only thing ive ever liked but seriously how much oil do you have to put in a batch of those things? its like a vegan voodoo donut: minus all animal ingredients, substitute hydrogenated oil. the dish i liked most was a peice of cake and it wasn't made in house - sweetpea maybe? the wednesday happy hour thing they had was about the only tolerable time ive had in this place. i guess you have to get drunk to ignore the food. service wasn't horrible, but the food is about a half step above food not bombs quality. how hard is it to mess up a french fry? its like vegan matrix food - if you believe in it enough, it will stop tasting like deep fried cardboard and turn out however you want/imagine it to taste.
(1)
Allyson D.
Visiting Portland for a few days, my friend and I decided to go kayaking right over the border in WA. Without getting into it too much, our 3 hour trip turned into a 6 hour adventure. After starting at 90am and ending around 3pm, we were starving! Luckily I remembered seeing a review of Vita Cafe & had my trusty iPhone to lead the way! The food was heavenly! My friend & I shared the vegan nachos. So fresh! So delicious! Rice may not be something you would think of as a topping for nachos, but it definitely made the dish here along with the super fresh guacamole. My friend had the cold veggie wrap which she declared awesome. I had the buffalo tofu wrap. I'm still thinking about this sandwich. Perfection! It was exactly what I was looking for at that moment of hunger. The buffalo sauce was divine and they put on just the right amount of ranch dressing. I would love another one right now! There was also an assortment of yummy looking vegan treats and cakes for dessert but we were too stuffed to taste any. Service was quick, helpful and nice. A really great vibe to this place. I just noticed that there's a back patio. Will need to check that out next time. Will definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland (hopefully soon!)!
(5)
Breanna L.
I stopped in for breakfast recently, I haven't been here in over 6 years. My family and I ordered 1 Thai corn cake, biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito. The corn cake was good, the biscuits and gravy were SUPER salty and the breakfast burrito was pretty good. I probably won't be back for breakfast, but I have had the fishwich and reuben in the past and remember liking them both. I will probably be back for lunch or dinner, I am looking forward to trying the buffalo tofu wrap, which seems to have gotten the best reviews. Staff was friendly, but not too attentive, overall we'll be back, eventually.
(3)
Amanda E.
Vita's where I want to go when I've been eating variations of Chinese food for days and all of a sudden, I want something else. The Tofurkey florentine, chicken fried steak, mac & cheese, fishwich, vegan club...and more await me. The food is good and breakfast is served until 4. Sometimes that's exactly what I want to hear. The new building is a little more upscale, I think. Also, on Wednesday evenings they have a happy hour.
(4)
Amy H.
Took the family here Wednesday night at 6:15p. There was quite a wait- maybe 40 minutes or so to get a table. They seemed really busy, maybe a little under staffed that night. It was worth the wait I felt for the food, and the price. It might have been so busy because kids eat for $1 between 5-7. Also, they had some great specials- $5 cocktails, I think $3 tap or something, plus a lot of $5 menu items. Our whole party of 5 ate for $35. And that was with my delicious $5 cocktail. One of the kids got the $1 mac and "cheese". It was a generous portion and she really enjoyed it. The other kid got the $5 special fish sandwich. It was a battered tofu patty on a bun. I thought that was just ok. Chicken fried "steak" with mashed potatoes and gravy- pretty good, I am not usually that much of a comfort food person, so hard for me to judge. Didn't taste chili burger or whatever husband got, seemed like he was happy with it. The fries were pretty much my favorite part. chunky with skins, with well done bits. Delicious. Service was satisfactory. Looking forward to going back to try some other menu items!
(4)
Gibbs G.
Seriously delicious. The sandwiches and veggie lasagna were solid and tasty, with a pesto sauce that might be the best I've had in a restaurant: not too cheesy, not too garlicky, and not too thin. Basically, excellent. The veggie lasagna was substantial without being a bowling ball. The service was pretty good, too. The hot toddy I had was excellent, too. Faaaar better than the Bloody Mary's at vita. The weird thing was the itty bitty water glasses. I felt like I was a giant drinking from them, and I'm only a little north of 5' 4".
(4)
J P.
Wow, PDX crowd is up early today...well, not sure if they are up early every Saturday. I am sure the heck not, i like to sleep in every chance I get :) We went to Vita after not wanting to wait in line at Tin Shed and Helsers. I was skeptical about trying a place I had not heard anything about.....mainly cause I did not want to be disappointed. I was happy the food was good. We both had chicken fried steaks (not real chicken of course), but excellent! The gravy, chicken apple sausage, corn pancake, brown rice and coffee was yummy! Can not go wrong with stumptown coffee...sorry starbucks :( The service was short-handed...but i think it was the cooks...not the waitress fault. The waitress was great. The environment was PDX alternative crowd comfortable.
(4)
Karl R.
Great menu, but what really does it for me is the hand dryers in the restrooms. I was actually surprised the cities power grid didn't shut down. I mean the sheer force of the hot air blowing forth made my hands wrinkle like a dogs mouth hanging out of the window of a speeding car. There must be some serious horsepower behind the engine in that thing. You could dry fifty hands with one push of the button. I will return again and again. Thanks!!!
(4)
Sarah B.
It seems, somehow, like their food has improved considerably since they moved across the street. The ambiance is much better too. Bravo to them for making the big leap. Overall, I really appreciate this place. There are just so few places where you can eat healthy. On a recent visit, though, the large quinoa salad felt very skimpy and I left hungry (it doesn't take much to fill me up). But I'll keep going back because that's the first time I've been disappointed since the move. Service is friendly and helpful. Sitting at the bar is fun. It can be pretty noisy which I don't mind but others might.
(4)
clancey y.
how do I start? If you are one of those people that think that vegans eat rabbbit food, then you need to eat at the vita, if you are a junk food vegan or veggie this place will become your kitchen. The server I had was how a server should be and very cool, but I have heard some other reviews..there is always a server that screws all that up. Nachos YES...fried country fried something gravy was country and I knew I was only allowed to go once in a while in fear of dying from over eating. As a vegan I promote this place (so far) and as a health aware person I suggest you watch out! This is the food that americans love to eat but with the karma of an angel. There is some "sticky headed" server running around there giving people bad service, do not blame me if you get her, I have never met her. Yes on the children
(4)
Andrea V.
I like Vita. I really do. But jeez, Louise, you can cut the attitude here with a knife. If you can get past the snarly-stinky-hairy waitresses, the food is pretty decent. I'm happily carnivorous but still will indulge in the occasional tofu/seitan/tempeh entree, and they have booze. Best of all, they have amazing desserts and its in my neighborhood. My vegan friends love me for taking them here. Would it really kill the wait staff to bathe and/or smile once in awhile? I swear I'd tip better if you did.
(4)
Kabra M.
ok so first night in town, visiting my girlfriend whos wedding im planning, and she takes me here since im allergic to gluten...SCORE!!! (man im gonna do an even better job on her invites now LOL) it was a friday night so there was a bit of a wait but the girls were so nice it didnt matter. super cozy atmosphere w just enough buzz, you know, "were cool but not too loud and umcomfy". :) i got the supergrain dalad which was delish and my friend got the gluten free "macaroni and cheese" special. gluten free vegan?!?! easy to find on a menu?!?!?! I LOVE PDX!!!! everything was great and affordable, i cant wait til im back in may!
(4)
Katie C.
Update: Unfortunately, I cannot necessarily recommend this restaurant to my celiac friends anymore. Last night, even after clearly expressing my needs to our server, I was glutened from eating at Vita Cafe. The server was a bit dismissive about my concerns ("We have a staff member here who is celiac and she's totally been fine"). This time we sat at the bar and I could see that the meals that were ready to be served were put in front of open bags of bread. The gluten-free dessert option, which I was informed was prepared in a gluten-free facility (Rawdacious), was stored underneath the regular, flour-rich cakes, although it was covered in plastic wrap. I don't expect perfection from a restaurant that isn't a dedicated facility, but for a place that lists numerous supposedly gluten-free options on its menu, it could take more care to prevent cross-contamination and its customers getting very sick.
(2)
Micah D.
So I've been here a couple of times now. The food options are very good. While I am not a die hard vegetarian let alone a vegan I do love the non meat dishes. They are packed with flavor! The prices are reasonable for a sit down establishment and the servers where nice and nice servers apparently are hard to find in this town. The "bar" has bicycle gears embedded into it, that's cool. This is definitely a veggie/vegan lovers dream. They even have a raw cheesecake that I hear is the bomb but have not tried, next time.
(4)
Rainbow R.
I have been wanting to try this place for ages. Even though I am not currently a vegan, it is always great to see what vegan creations are out there. When I went, I was stressed because too many things look good. I ended up trying the "fish" sandwhich, and boy, was it good. I had been a true vegetarian for about 8 years, only recently incorporating some fish back in my diet, but this sandwhich makes me realize there isn't the need! Since with most fried fish, I think you only really taste the fried part and the sauces - and that is what this sandwhich tasted like, but better. While some fish can be iffy, the tofu was cooked nicely and the sauce was really good. I can't wait to try other items off the menu!
(4)
Bobo J.
Tasty vegetarian delights! I loved the vibe here. They were playing Kate Bush, the bathroom was clean and smelled like oranges, the radical literature was plentiful. We had lunch: fishwich (my personal favorite because of the deep fried and battered tofu!), seitan cheese steak (nothing special but solid), fresh-cut fries (delicious and plentiful), and thai coconut soup (flavorful). The service was excellent--very kind and attentive. I will definitely return.
(4)
Xtine B.
I always like to start on a positive note so let's start with the good stuff. . . .the food. I choose this cafe as a meeting place with my stepdaughter on a recent road trip. She and her boyfriend are decidedly not vegetarians and I wanted someplace that would cater to both our tastes. They certainly excel in that area. The menu has enough diversity to satisfy anyones appetite. I had a wonderful lunch of the Vegetarian Ruben Sandwich and the soup of the day, White Bean. The sandwich was so good that I ended up eating the other half in the car within 100 miles. The Not So Good: My pet peeve about most vegetarian food is that it lacks flavor. Vegetarian restaurants, for some reason, don't think of adding a simple pinch of salt to their food and thus add to the illusion that vegetables are bland and uninteresting. I'm a firm believer in never sending anything out of the kitchen that has not been properly seasoned. A little thyme and a pinch of salt would have improved the soup beyond measure. The Not Good At All: If you're expecting a smile with your average service, forget it. I hate to slam the service from a single visit because an individual can have personal ups and downs that can affect their performance and attitude. I couldn't give them a second chance as I was just pass through. Would it have killed the waitress to make me feel welcome as opposed to infringing on her time? I just hate snotty servers.
(3)
Jason D.
When I want to eat a vegan breakfast (at lunch time) made just exactly the opposite way grandma used to make it... I go here. Friendly, attentive servers. Great vegan food. Good beer on tap. The only thing I would change and the only reason there aren't five stars: the menu (and thus, the kitchen) isn't entirely vegetarian.
(4)
Susan C.
Amazing vegan food. My carnivorous husband loved the buffalo tofu. Great selections for children as well.
(4)
Desire' S.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan,but found the vegan selection I chose(vegan club) to be utterly satisfying, and well presented. The server was attentive and charming. Beyond the food, the over all layout of the place was earthy, warm, and welcoming. I'm a fan. Go vita!!
(4)
Cory B.
I've always had great luck here. It gets super busy at times, but the food is always good. I especially like their vegan nachos and breakfast burritos.
(4)
Jay E.
I had the Country Breakfast or something to that tune. Biscuits and gravy, tempeh bacon, tofu and crispy potatoes. YUMMMYYY. All this for only $9! I wish there was a Vita cafe in LA.
(4)
Taylor W.
I have been here a few times and I always receive great service and amazing food. I love their brunch menu.
(5)
Samantha P.
I keep hoping to fall in love with Vita, but never do. It's in my neighbourhood and is vegetarian friendly, but the service is always very slow (it seems like the servers have something better to do with their work time than their job or something) and the food is alright, but definitely not mind blowing. They have a good happy hour on Wednesdays, but don't expect quick, friendly service. It's alright, but there are better places in the city.
(3)
BB E.
Was wandering around Alberta Street today. Outside enjoying the sunshine and clear skies (a rarity for January in Portland). Was looking for something to eat, and me and my friend were craving some Mexican food. We wandered around and found a place that looked promising, but being a vegan, i was thrown off a bit by the menu. They said the beans and rice where good to eat, but the listing of various meats and by product started to turn my stomach. So back down the street we went. And there like a light in the storm was Vita Cafe. I knew OF them. I knew that the had vegan food. I knew that after attending the NW Veg Fest this past September, that their biscuits and vegan gravy was a knock out of the ball-park. This was it. We were set. We walked right in, and immediately were seated, even though we had my kid and a large stroller with us, and it was pretty busy. They got us table and before we were to the table, a high chair was set up for us, and a place to stash our boat of a baby carrier. The menu was more than promising. The only dilemma, DECIDING! Everything sounded so good. To many choices is so much better than 1 choice like if we went to the mexican joint down the street. They even offer a kids menu which ROCKS (but my kid is still too young for his own, he just eats off my plate for now). I decided to go with the Vegan Club Sandwich, and my friend got the BLT w/ a small side of fries. Food came fast, was fresh, warm and tasted DELICIOUS! My Club was great. The "turkey" was tasty, the "bacon" tempeh perfectly cooked, and it was topped with guacamole! More foods need avocado on them. My kid even liked it (and he is only 9 months old!). My friend said her food was great too (i didn't try her sandwich, but i totally trust her judgment), and the SMALL fries she got, was more than enough for all 3 of us! We could not even eat them all. The environment is real nice. A bustling cafe type atmosphere, great fast service, awesome artwork all over the walls, and killer vegan food. I'm sold! Hands down! I'll TOTALLY be back.
(5)
James E.
The staff at Herbivore recommended Vita Cafe to me, so I walked my dog about 4-5 blocks and quickly reached my destination. I've never been to Portland - ever - and being able to take my dog with me into restaurants made me love this city even more. The menu offered a lot of vegan options for me to choose from, and my God how the food quickly filled me up! What's that game called where you roll balls on dirt? Is that bacci? Did I even spell that right? I'm feeling lazy at the moment, spellcheck will have to wait. Whatever you call the game, there's a court in the outdoor area adjacent to the tables. Watching families and children play with one another whilst everyone happily ate--Seattle could stand to take a few notes from Portland.
(5)
Katie M.
My boyfriend LOOVVVESSSS Vita because he's vegan and he can get fish and chips there. I think Vita is pretty good. I always get the chili because the chili is actually excellent. The people who work there are also super super nice and service is great. They also always have lots of cake, which is good news for my sweet tooth.
(4)
Cosmic M.
The vegan, gluten-free tofu "fish" and chips was great! I really like how I can order from the well-prepared menu for food that meets my dietary needs. Lots of gluten free options.
(4)
G W.
This place is really good. If I lived in Portland I would check it out again and again and again. Food was well prepared and service was friendly. The only reason it is getting 3 stars is because of the flies that were present in the dining area. This may have been a one time thing but staff please do something about the flies daily.
(3)
Art V. B.
The vegan options in this restaurant are plenty and overall tasty, yet mostly unhealthy due to the high amount of sodium. The salads are fresh and drinks cheap. The decor of the place is nice, service very friendly and the crowd, oh well, gentrified hip as you can expect in Alberta. Both of the entrees that I shared were very salty, however, eating the club sandwich was worth the massive intake of sodium. In contrast, the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes was a health hazard (i.e. very salty) that was not worth eating.
(3)
Ranie G.
I was going to write this review earlier today, but I was planning on trying out Vita's Wednesday happy hour tonight and thought I'd allow one more impression before doling out my stars. I've been to Vita about four times before (once for take-out, which I'm not sure really counts), so I could consider myself a pretty good authority for a review. Wednesday night is Happy Hour from 5 pm to closing (not sure what time that is-11?). Draft beers are $2 as are well drinks. Cocktails off the menu are $5, and a small list of items are $5 as well. Tonight I had the Thai pasta. Not only was I shocked to see the huge portion, but it was delicious and arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. My dining partner ordered the multigrain salad which he declared as the best salad he had ever eaten. The staff is friendly and not too hipster. Non vegans might be a little hesitant to try this place out, as most of the menu is dedicated to meat-free dishes, which include a variety of fake meats and cheeses. They do have real bacon and apple sausage in the morning, however. Even so, both of my breakfast experiences here have been a let down. I'd save this one for dinner.
(4)
Carole Ann W.
Came here for the first (and second) time over the weekend because it was so close to where I was staying. I'm neither vegan nor vegetarian, so I was pleased to see that they offer meat, as well. Had the 2x2x2 both days with the chicken apple sausage and it was delicious. The first day, I ordered the NW corn cakes and they were good, but not super memorable. I'm not a huge fan of real maple syrup, and the consistency was a bit too soft for my taste. I also ordered a side of the morning potatoes, and HOLY GOD were they good. Seriously, I ate all of mine and half of my friend's both days (although the second day I wised up and subbed the corn cakes for the potatoes). I also got the grapefruit mimosa and it was lovely (and huge). Overall, I was really impressed with the food, although the service was pretty slow even when they weren't very busy. If I lived in Portland, I would come here often.
(4)
Bunneh L.
This place confirmed all my suspicions about vegeterian/vegan food. It's not food. Face it, animals taste good. I ordered an omelet w/guacamole. Instead of a verdant green, this guac was an unappetizing olive/brown. I was shocked that any restaurant would even serve something so clearly past its prime. The tempeh was even worse. I don't know if it was just bad tempeh or if tempeh always tastes like ass. Either way, I hated it. The various kinds of faux meats I sampled repulsed me. How do you people EAT this stuff?
(1)
Laleh E.
Vita Cafe was the first place my friends took me to eat during my recent excursion to Portland, and I'm still thinking about the excellent salad I ate there!! I ordered the Greek Salad, which was fresh and crisp to begin with, but on the side they added a pesto vinigrette of some sort, which I dipped some of the greens into. I seriously don't think I've ever been happier with a salad before!! Okay, enough about that salad! I found the atmosphere pleasant, and the menus to be artistic. The menu seemed to be friendly to all three of us, even though we each have drastically different eating habits. It was a delight to sit outside on one of the umbrella patio tables. My only regret about this place was not ordering the salad in a larger size. I also tried the thai coconut soup, which came with the onion and herb bread, which you MUST order if coming here! Delicious and nutritious earns Vita five stars!
(5)
Kimberley D.
Tasty vegan desserts. Mmm, biscuits and veggie gravy. Plenty of meat options for the non-vegetarians too. My bloody mary was not amazing, though, so a star was deducted for that.
(4)
Grace J.
Fresh carrot juice. Yummy vegan country breakfast with almond gravy. De-lish!. Nice servers. It was good good good.
(4)
Tnerb L.
Vita has a well put together menu. There's a good variety for both veggie's and vegan's. Everything I've tried so far has been great, I am a fan of the Buffalo Things for sure. The service was spot on, quick and all the servers had a smile and were super friendly. Pricing was average for this style of food. Veggie/Vegan's this place is definitely worth checking out if you hadn't already.
(4)
Kenny S.
Yummy, yummy stuff. Excellent vegetarian, & vegan options. Even a couple meat options. Good anytime of the day. But my favorite must be the Buffalo Tofu Wrap. YUM! Beer & great cocktails to boot.
(4)
P O.
I'd like to give this place a positive review, but I just can't do it. The first time I went, I had a delicious vegan BLT sandwich which sitting in the very nice patio that they had at their previous location. However, I visited their new location this weekend, and was disappointed. My parents and I tried to go their Saturday evening, but when we got there, there were already 8 groups waiting for tables. It was a sign-yourself-up system, which was alright, except that there was nobody to ask how long the wait might be. After half an hour, only one group had been seated, so we called it quits. We tried again Sunday evening, and were seated right away. The tomato white bean soup I ordered was terrible. It tasted like thick tomato juice with cilantro. There were virtually no beans. It was too salty to eat. My parents and I all ordered the soup, and none of us could eat it. We told them nicely at the end of the meal that the soup was awful, and they were totally unapologetic. weird.
(2)
Jill R.
On the good side... they had great vegan and vegetarian choices. What we got was really good. Their fries are awesome, and their martinis are strooong. We did not have room, but their vegan deserts looked fantastic. There are many other things on the menu I'd like to try. Hey! They even have a bocce court! On the bad side... at first it does not appear kid friendly, but when you realize that you are one of two tables without kids you begin to wonder. I totally felt like I was eating in some twisted daycare. I'd go back for the food, but I'd make sure I went late in the evening. It was my bad because I went around 6pm. I should have known better. The service was pretty slow, but really that was not too bad... the martinis were good.
(3)
Nathan V.
I like Vita's new space and all, and the fact they have vegan food is great. But I can't get over the service; I really don't remember it being so bad. The other day, when our food (breakfast scramble and salad) arrived 45 minute after ordering, the most our server said was "Sorry for the delay" and walked away. I later asked if there was bread with my $8 salad. He said no. I ate, and left. It's too bad. I remember this place being so much better.
(2)
Brooke H.
One word describes my Vita experience: GROSS. Lacadasical service, AWFUL corn chowder. Yikes. It's in my hood, which I love, but YUCK. I'll stroll down to Random Order Coffee House, home of the BEST PIE on the planet (not just sweet, which are each and every one fabulous, also their chicken pot pie is outta this world!!!).
(1)
Erika V.
Vita is a place I always had to go to at least once when I used to visit Portland. Now that I live here I still enjoy it but it's a bit too pricey to go as much as I like. It's definitely more expensive than other places with similar items and sides aren't included. But I love their breakfast stuff. The Chicken fried steak, biscuits & gravy, turkey club are all amazing but I would say skip the mac n cheese. I remember it being not lame a couple years ago but maybe they lost the original recipe along their move across the street. The service sometimes sucks but sometimes not.
(4)
Malea X.
three words, people: spicy. tempeh. sticks. goddamn they're SO good! i had lunch here 3 days in a row and the food was soooo good. recommendations: spicy tempeh sticks (after 4pm), chopped salad (after 4pm), seitan cheese steak sandwich, chicken fried "steak," corn cakes. the vegan blt is pretty good, too. they make their own vegan ranch dressing! yum. that's all. just yum.
(4)
Courtney D.
Vegan, free range tasted great I was a bit skeptical going to the Vita Caf since I'm not a vegetarian and heard that their menu was primarily based on vegan choices. But once I sunk my teeth into their biscuits with almond gravy, my stomach oozed with happiness. Their menu was adventurous to say the least, which can be a bit intimidating to someone who tends to stick with what she likes. But I quickly found some eggs with free-range bacon on their breakfast menu, which was very tasty. Not sure if it was the organic vibe or not, but everything tasted healthier and settled good in my system. Tip: There's a beautiful garden patio with picnic tables just waiting for warm weather.
(3)
Lulu P.
This place is consistently tasty and friendly, and even if the service is a little slow during peak hours, wait staff has always been competent and friendly. (Living in the neighborhood, I've become obsessed with the poor service at Alberta restaurants, so this is huge for me). I'm an omnivore, but Vita is my go-to weekday dinner joint,
(4)
Amy L.
Good vegan food, and it's nice to have a vegan restaurant close by. Their almond gravy is divine! Only down side - slow service.
(4)
A. B. C.
i heart vita. i've had at least one item for each menu, breakfast lunch and din-din. the thai corn cakes for breakfast are my favorite! made with sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup, they are exotic but not weird. sweet but not too sweet, a little bit of a bite from the ginger and and l little bit savory from the corn meal and cilantro. i've seriously contemplated many other breakfast dishes but i can't bring myself to stray from their deliciousness. i am a dedicated omnivore...i mean really, i'll eat almost anything. howevah, i'm not a purist when it comes to my traditionally meaty meals. as a testament to that, the vita reuben is the best vegan reuben e-v-e-r (just ask for more sauce...but maybe that's just me, i love sauce). dare i say? it's better than a meaty reuben!?!? the first trip ever to vita was for dinner, after some friends had picked me up from the airport. i was famished. it was a wednesday. what does that have to do with anything? you ask. well, wednesday they have a happy hour that's a $5 entree and a beer (or maybe the beer is extra? either way it's all together cheaper than a normally priced entree). i had the thai pasta (i really am obsessed with peanut sauce) which was scrumptious, and a beer- from h.u.b i think...maybe from captured by porches (side note: props to myself for actually remembering the name of captured by porches without phoning-a-friend!) the only reason i've deducted a star is because the last couple of times i was there our service was less than amazing. maybe our server was having a bad day or maybe she hates her job... it definitely showed- we were being so nice and not high-maintenance at all! every time before that, though, the service has been awesome.
(4)
Christen M.
I come to Vita quite frequently. I like the food, I like the atmosphere, I like the waitstaff. But everything about the place is hit and miss. Some of the food is fantastic. I especially love the "BLT" made with tempeh bacon; ditto the "fish" and chips, which come with a wonderful dill sauce. I'm also fond of some of the pasta dishes, and the desserts are just freaking fantastic. Of course, sometimes the aforementioned chips come out a bit soggy and undersalted. There's also the matter of service. Once my housemate and I came here on a not-super-busy Thursday night and waited fully half an hour just to get a chance to order, and much longer for our food to arrive. When we did, it was cold and unimpressive. The servers, I should note, were very nice and friendly, but there just weren't enough of them working that night (I think there were two or three people total, waiting on a small crowd of about 15-20 people). Frustrating. So why is this a four-star review and not a three-star review? Well, the last few times I went there, things seem to have improved greatly. I understand the restaurant has changed hands recently, there's a new menu, and the last two times I went to Vita I got pretty decent service. In fact, a couple of months ago I went to a friend's birthday dinner in a group of at least 10 people -- but we got a chance to order shortly after we'd arrived, then got our food promptly. I'm not ready to give the place a full-on ringing endorsement just yet, but I'm willing to try it once or twice more to see if the service is going to be consistently good.
(4)
brianna w.
Simply the best vegan diner in the city. Or atleast in the top 5. To the impatient, avoid dining in when it's crammed full of hungry hippies, the wait can be brutal. But as far as I'm concerned it is always worth the wait. Vegans, try the "buffalo things" with ranch dressing, seriously, yowza. I also love love love the chick'n fried steak, the seitan cheese-steak and for the a.m. set, french toast.
(5)
Ariel S.
Two stars is really an average of the two times I went -- the first time I swung by for brunch by myself. They were busy, and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for the wait staff to acknowledge my existence. Each of the servers pointedly avoided making eye contact with me (seriously: I couldn't get anyone to even tell me how long the wait was going to be!), so I figured they didn't need my business and left. One star. I went back for dinner a few months later, and found it much quieter. My mac 'n' vegan-cheese was decent (nothing impressive) but my date's Ruben sandwich was totally tasty. It was a bit of a redemption (four star), but I still gotta say that it was mostly my stubbornness that sent me back -- usually the total lack of service that I got the first time I went is enough to keep me away.
(2)
Vanessa K.
I think the food is delicious! We had great service. I only wish there were no flies, but I think it was because it was so hot and the windows were open.
(5)
Samantha O.
best thing was the thai coconut soup fries, "fish", ranch dressing, coffee, onion bread were terribly dissapointing.
(2)
Jon S.
Awesome Awesome Awesome. We got into town last night, and this was our first stop. My girlfriend is Vegan and loved everything, and I did too. I'm keeping this short, but the buffalo things rock, as does the ethos of the place.
(5)
Ann S.
After reading all the reviews about the service here you would think the owners would get on the clue-bus. We almost walked out today as I felt that we were invisible. I did not see a smile on any of the servers faces. It appeared they all needed an attitude adjustment. They were busy, but not harried. They even had time to rest at the counter. The drinking water was rather warm and it was a hot day out, as this is Alberta Street Fair day and spending a couple hours on the hot asphalt one gets hot. The beer was warm as well and the guy just made excuses and made no attempt to fix the problem. Finally my friend said, "just put some ice in it". This is my second visit here and really liked the food both times. Finally one waiter came to our table and made an attempt at service recovery. My friend got a beer in a can and the server said he would take it back if it was not cold. It was fine. He ended up charging us for only one beer so he truly understood service recovery. What he did was saved my review from only giving one star. I may try this place again, but if the service attitude is going to continue like this, there are many other vegan restaurants around.
(3)
Alla S.
Good stuff! The best vegan chicken fried steak that I've ever had! Excellent variety of vegan dishes and dessert!
(4)
mel p.
Double date night and this is where we chose to go without reading reviews before hand. Good idea? Bad idea? We had to wait about 10 minutes on a busy Friday night to be seated. Not bad seeing iv waited up to 45 minutes at some places. Right off the bat though it took a server over 7 minutes to come over and acknowlege that we were in the place and ooohhh so ready to place drink orders. Red wine, some fruity raspberry cocktail,Blue Sky cola and water would do that trick. On to the better part. I had the vegan burger with shrooms and onions. It was great. Homemade id even say seeing whole chickpeas were falling out at one point. I loved it. Next up,Italian pasta with kale,veggie sausage and a few other choice items. It could had been better. I'll leave it at that. Also at the table we had a "real burger please", it was pretty good. Kind of typical but free range, hormone free quarter pound beef makes this a step up in the right direction. Finally sitting across from me was a greek salad with crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion,and olives with basil vinaigrette. I think she added the fried tempeh as well to the salad. Spot on was the term I belived was used on this one. Remember to order fries if you want them,seeing they do not come with the burgers. This palce is getting 3 stars not really for its food. That could had been 4 stars without a doubt. Though it gets 3 stars because the service was lackluster. The waiter never WAITED to fully hear the order before walking away. Man that bugs me. And lastly I ordered fries with my vegan buger and they came out 10 minutes AFTER we were all served our food. Major faux pas. Over all I say it was a good idea going to this place. I'll for sure give it another shot.
(3)
Susan B.
We've been going to Vita for a while...I love that they have a great selection of Vegan and Vegetarian options, but are still friendly to the meat eaters. I'm very close to a Pescatarian, except that I let the occasional piece of chicken in my diet every once in a while...that and I love cheese! Otherwise, I'd be Vegan for sure, especially with a place like Vita to eat. So, I have been wanting to write a review forever. I love their Thai curry soup and their Supergrain salad! Delic! Last night was the meal that tipped me to write my review though! They had a SouperBowl special! It was ridiculous! It was the Thai curry soup with barley and steamed veggies and a fried piece of Tempeh (seriously is like a piece of Chicken Fried steak - just like it says on the menu). This thing was off the hook. Pair it up with the Supergrain Salad and you won't be dissapointed! Dessert is yummy too. We had the lemon coconut and weren't dissapointed. We loved this special so much we asked for them to add it to the menu, they said they have all the stuff to make it so we could special order it if we wanted! Yay! I also love that they put a caraffe of water on the table for you. I know that's becoming more the norm, but it's just another reason they rock!
(5)
Rick B.
This was the first time I had been back to Vita in over 5 years or so. My wife, who has never been here before, and I were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to go and check this place out. We are not vegetarians but the menu still sounded good to us. Upon our entry, we were greeted to a small crowd of people standing around and waiting. It took me a minute to realize that there was no one to greet guests, just a piece of paper for you to write your party size down on. I looked around the place and there were at least three or four unseated tables. However, there was definitely not enough staff to clear and reset and seat these tables. The staff seemed to be in a mild panic with only half of the restaurant full, all running around aimlessly. Then I noticed that there did not seem to be any one in charge of this chaos. They finally started getting some of the empty tables sat, but we were offered a place at the bar. We took it since it had been 15 minutes already and looked to be another 20 or so. This turned out to be a wonderful decision. Our waitress was quick to ask us if we wanted a drink. We both asked for a pint of the Ninkasi, but they were out of it. I then went with the IPA and the waitress, seeing our disappointment, gave us a three-quarter pint from when the keg blew and she didn't charge us for it. Things were starting to look up!! There were plenty of fun and interesting things on the menu. I decided to go with the Thai pasta and my wife went with the club sandwich with a side of fries. Our food came to the counter in no less than 3 minutes!! My pasta was served with tofu and assorted locally grown greens in a Thai peanut sauce. It was quite delicious! Maybe an extra pinch or two of salt in the sauce would have sent this dish out of this world, but it was still very good. The club sandwich was very good as well. The smokey flavored faux bacon was a nice touch. It wasn't until half way through our meals did we realize that there was a Wednesday special going on. This would explain the chaos for an early Wednesday night. It was all starting to make sense to me. And when our bill came and was under 20 dollars I almost choked! We were charged for only one beer and my entree was only five bucks on Wednesdays!! It seems that if only they had someone in charge making this place run a little smoother, things would have been great. They really do have some cool and great tasting veggie food here and they are also very kid friendly.
(3)
Lauren W.
In my last four day stay in Portland I went to Vita Cafe three times! The vegan options are great. Sit down in booth-style seating to enjoy their comfort food! I would especially recommend the breakfast. With options like biscuits with almond gravy, "chicken" fried steak, or fluffy french toast it's hard to go wrong. I'd recommend ordering those potatoes spicy with the Italian tofu scramble- complete with artichoke hearts, olives, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Portions are filling and decently priced. Another plus is the full-bar, with $2 draft pints on Wednesday nights. Oh, and they also have a bocce ball yard, though I've never played there.
(4)
Cori W.
This was my fav cafe in Portland during my previous visit, we went twice in 3 days! You must get the vegan fishwich. Perfection! I never liked fish before becoming a vegetarian but this sandwich kills it. The tofu is perfectly crispy and not too moist/raw in the middle, the vegan tartar sauce was superb and the pickles! icing on the cake. Order some fries on the side, very crispy, perhaps double dipped? either way they were fantastic. Only thing I didn't like about my meal was the vegan bloody mary. While I was stoked to see vegan bloody mary aside from making one myself I wasn't a fan of the wasabi as it was far too spicy, needed more balance. Our second visit I tried the BLT with tempeh bacon and it wasn't as memorable. My bf had the huevos racheros with tofu the first visit, it was a large serving with lots of beans and flavor, the second time he had a seitan philly and was very pleased. I'd love to try breakfast and something more dinner-y since we had mostly lunch items. LOVE THE TOFU FISHWICH.
(4)
Sherlock H.
I wanted to check this place out since it was featured as a food place on the northwest vegetarian web site. I'm no longer a vegetarian, but do enjoy finding places that offer good veg options in case I want to scale back on meat. This isn't the place. First of all, the interior is pretty bohemian in style, not exactly a decor that makes one think of cleanliness, especially given the little flies hovering over the tables. I got the tempeh "chicken fried steak" meal, and it was pretty bad. Tasted like deep fried cardboard. The mashed potatoes that came with it were bland as well. The clientele at the place seemed to be throwbacks from the 60s, not that it affects my meal, but it gives you an idea of the type of people who likely find this to be a good place. I also ordered a salad with spicy shrimp. The salad was brought out at the same time as my meal which suprised me, and the shrimp were not spicy, again pretty much lacking in flavor. The cook, by the way, has a beard, and that just bugs me to see someone with facial hair leaning over my food. We will never, ever return to this place.
(1)
Megan O.
love this place. i've never had anything but good food here, it never disappoints. the vege chicken fried steak is sooo delicious and super hearty. greek tofu scramble, fishwich, mac and chese, blt with fake bacon, biscuits and gravy, it's all yummy. be sure to try their yogi black tea, it has ginger, cardamom and pepper. it's spicy and has a great taste. you may have to wait a bit to get a table, but just grab a paper and be patient.
(4)
Christina C.
Great menu selection, awesome food. Cute back patio with bocce ball. Reasonable prices, I was impressed.
(5)
Ananda R.
Yes Indeed! A great place for veggie fare! The fake BLT is SO DAMN GOOD, and the lemon grass veggie thing is most awesome, AND they have Sangria.... a spicy take on an original idea!!! XOXO PS the Patio Rocks with the bocce ball!!
(4)
Neal W.
I love Vita Cafe! What a great vibe this place has! The food is always very good, but not enough for a five star rating in my opinion. Still, I love it. The back patio is the place to be if you go. It's beautiful out there. I love the mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meateater options here. I'm a veggie, but I can bring my vegan and omni friends here too! Always the most fun after Last Thursdays!
(4)
Kate S.
So, maybe my 5 stars is a little on the naive side as I am new to vegan cuisine, but that day it couldn't have gotten much better. My friend and I, a recent vegan convert decided to give this place a whirl on a beautiful sunny weekday afternoon. We were seated outside in their spacious patio and the server was very friendly and helpful. My friend got the tofu buffalo wrap and hesitantly, I got the nachos. Que rico is all I can say! The buffalo wrap was TO DIE FOR and the nachos were equally tasty. They have vegan happy hour and a great vegan dessert selection. Maybe it was a combination of the weather, my company or trying new cuisine, but Vita Cafe had me thinking go vegan or go home by the time we left!
(5)
carly s.
Vita has gotten a whole lot better in the past year or so. The vegan breakfast options aren't the best and the guacamole tastes like it comes pre-made but the specials, tofu buffalo wrap and onion and herb bread are awesome. Most of the servers are nice and helpful.
(3)
Jared Z.
this place has amazing homestyle greasy spoon style vegan food, soooo good. get the "chicken" fried seitan with mushroom gravy
(5)
Sarah M.
Oh, YUM. Vita is where it's at... I moved away from Portland not too long ago, so I write these reviews as a way of reminiscing when I get hungry, it's kind of sad but enjoyable. Every sammich on the menu is delectable, but especially the Fishwich. Although I haven't had "Cold Veggie Wrap", just cause I never go for things like that... As for starters, the Buffalo/BBQ Thangs are hot and spicy with a punch, just how I like it. I will stop there because I could go on and on. Oh, beware: on First Thursday they are crazy busy and only serve a selection of things off the menu (or at least this was the case last year). This can be disappointing if you travel an hour from SE Portland to eat dinner with high hopes of a full menu... lesson learned.
(5)
Krysta V.
I've been a Vita patron for many years. Service has been hit or miss at times, but the new location is much better. Lots of great options, generous portions and good prices. No one has mentioned their fries, which I happen to think are some of the best. Thick cut with the skin still on. They are super satisfying. I don't think I'm capable of eating at Vita and NOT getting the ceasar salad. I love the Chicken Fried Steak. The fishwich is awesome. Breakfast is always good.
(4)
Kelly R.
Vita Cafe is a regular spot for a close group of friends of mine in the NE area. That being said I find myself there more than I'd ever though I would and I have to say. I have never been disappointed. The food options here are plentiful for both vegans and vegetarians alike. Not to mention the quantities are along the lines of comfort food. Vegan Comfort food? Need I say more? Go check it out, bring a couple friends and an appetite. Friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere make this place a great "I drank too much last night" stop in the early morning, and an all around great place to make eats happen.
(4)
F. Explora L.
the buffalo chicken wrap was delicious! nice n' spicy too!
(5)
Arnie Lewis T.
Gosh, I don't have much to say....it's okay, but not super fantastic. I've been many times (in the old location across the street) and have always enjoyed. But last night was definitely lackluster. Service lacked and I felt like spending $30 for burger/fries, Mac & Cheese, and two happy hour beers was way too much. I was having a hard time coming up with something REALLY delicious and yummy off of their Last Thursday special menu....something was missing. So, I'm not sure I'll be back. There are so many choices in Portland and along Alberta -- and this has definitely moved down a few notches for me.
(2)
Valerie F.
I've heard great things about this place & couldn't wait to try it. The first time I went I ordered the turkey club or something (came with turkey, bacon, guacamole, tomato) My friend said she would have the same. The waitress brought us BLTs. We told her that's not what we ordered & since the only difference was the turkey & guacamole she said she would bring it out. About 15 minutes later we got it. (The sandwich was actually very good) Accidents happen no big deal. I went there again a few months later & ordered the breakfast burrito. I don't what they ended up giving me because there was broccoli & carrots in it. I have never heard of a breakfast burrito like that. Sadly, I didn't notice it until I got home because it was pretty damn flavorless to begin with. The waitress acted like her shit didn't stink like a typical Portland hipster. She also rushed to bring us our check without even asking if we wanted desert (which my friend did). Considering both times I've gone my order has gotten screwed up I don't see any reason to go back.
(1)
Aaron R.
Went back, specifically for the Vegan Mac-n-Cheese, and it was YUM once again. I totally missed their move across the street, though -- when I got there, it was a mix of vertigo and deja vu dealing with the fact that they moved directly across the street. I like the new space, though -- not quite as loud. Oh, and if you go on Wednesday nights, they have cheap eats for $5: Mac and Cheese, Fishwiches and more.
(5)
Abe I.
Vita still has a lot to work out, (their tempeh would be better suited as a sponge), but the stand out biscuits and gravy, and nachos are always great. Also the desserts are absolutely killer, and their eclectic menu (eastern, italian, veggie, and meat options among other things) can usually keep any mix happy, and the decor is welcoming and clean. But all in all, the Vita is like a drunk preacher, and their sermons of delicious veggie food sometimes fall flat. Also, I should mention, the service is usually pretty bad, tables get ignored and orders get forgotten constantly.
(2)
Heidi C.
I visited the Vita when I was checking out PDX to see if I wanted to move here and it was one of the factors that convinced me that it was the right move. As a vegetarian from Omaha, NE this place was heaven. The chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and almond gravy is one of my favorites, although it is coma inducing. Lately I've been enjoying their soup of the day that they serve with herb and onion bread. I'm highly addicted to that bread... so good. The seitan cheese steak is amazing, I wish they served it for lunch. So many great dishes. My only complaint are the wooden booths. I find them seriously uncomfortable. When I'm dining with friends it gets really distracting. Aside from the seating I highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.
(4)
Kathy T.
I wa not imressed. I was really looking forward to going there while traveling through PDX but it was a disappointment. The almond gravey was really not good at all! The biscuits were left over from who knows when. The wait staff was nice enough but the food was not very good. My partners food was good enough so i ate some of his. The corn cakes were good but dont try the gravy!
(1)
audrey y.
Vita Cafe is one of the few "safe" places for my son to eat at, since he has major food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts). The staff is extremely knowledgeable about the ingredients and won't hesitate to check with the kitchen about ingredients. The savory kids' mac n' cheese is his favorite (love that the after 5PM kids menu is only $1/dish!), while my daughter prefers the pasta with red sauce and parmesan cheese. I like how they don't "dumb down" the kids menu, but rather offer just smaller portions of what the grown-ups enjoy :). While the pasta isn't going to beat out a "pasta" restaurant (and the same thing with one of their burgers vs. a "burger" restaurant..you get the idea), you gotta give credit where credit is due - they do a very decent job under one roof of tasty, vegan food. The winners in our book are the lasagna (ask for both the red and the pesto sauce!), the thai coconut soup (you can have a little brown rice thrown in there for substance), and the tempeh/tofu fries. The bread that accompanies the soup just rocks. And the vegan dessert selection is great too...try the chocolate mint cake, or the oatmeal cranberry cake! Minus a star because, well, it's not the cleanest joint. I'm a little leery of the toys in the communal toy bin and the floors under the booth...let's say you don't want to have your kids hanging out there too long, looking for crayons. But, hey, what's a little dirt? And germs build up your immune system! Otherwise, great job and thanks for making little kids who can't eat dairy and eggs have a fun, safe place to eat!
(4)
R S.
Want to love them, but I'm never quite there. Loved them more at the old location. The new menu items (like he sloppy biscuit-- egg gravy and cheese open face on a biscuit, vegan version available) are very strong-- maybe strong enough to make up for the loss of lived in ambiance. I think what holds me back is that (sorry) some of the items remain a little blander than expected--but anything with gravy or tartar sauce, vegan hollandaise, coconut, etc. will be sure to be tasty. So if you order right its five stars-- and if you have one thing you don't like, don't fail to go back.
(4)
Maria L.
A reliably consistent place to get tempeh BLT's. Nice people too.
(3)
Mikaela S.
I've been trying to give my self some time to think about vita cafe and try to figure out what it is that put me off. the first time i visited i at breakfast with my friend. we ordered the Thai corn cakes and they were wonderful. we also go a smoothie and scramble and loved every bite. we met a rad mama there in the booth next to us and our waitress was great so of course we wanted to go back. the next time we went for dinner and it started off so well. we knew what we wanted to order and when our waitress came around promptly she leaned in close next to one of the babies sitting highchair who had a small menu and was waving it around. inevitably before we could warn her she got whacked in the eye. we felt terrible and even more so when the waitress ran away and didn't return. we both felt embarrassed and incredibly uncomfortable. a different waitress came back later and we ordered just a small something but didn't feel like eating anymore. we wanted to apologize to the waitress or ask if she was ok. we asked our new waitress how she was doing and she said 'i think she is really hurt'. oh crap we thought, the baby injured the waitress now what? but, as we were leaving our missing waitress made an appearance and apologized, said she was fine and ran off because she was stressed out and in shock but her eye isn't hurt. a huge sigh of relief but still made me uncomfortable. why didn't she come out and say that maybe half hour sooner and spare us the shame? i don't know. but what i do know is that this meal was lacking in flavor and quite uncomfortable.
(3)
Rassamee H.
Definitely the vegetarian/vegan's paradise (that is coming from a meat-eater though). Not sure what a certified vege/veg would say. Had a side of fries which was more like a whole meal, needed salt, but not bad. Also ordered a "real" burger (meat), pretty bland, I guess they only season the vegetarian/vegan food. My husband got the salad with different grains (quinoa, etc.) in it. Not his cup of tea either. Our veg friends were happy but after a weekend of tromping from one veg-friendly Portland restaurant to another, I was ready for some meat-friendly food. Luckily I went to a diner in Seattle the next day for some bacon and eggs:)
(3)
Rickie Lee T.
I used to think this place was the cat's pajamas, but I understand now that I was dodging the restaurant's mediocrity by ordering the AWESOME Reuben sandwich every damn time I went. The cheese steak is the only other thing that I would recommend. I hate me a veg burger that wants to be meat...there are so many awesome things we can make fake burgers out of (black beans, mushrooms, etc), the fakey-meaty taste of Vita's burger simply will not do! Last time I ordered my staple Mediterranean salad, it came with a new addition: cabbage?!?! Who puts cabbage in a Med salad? I felt kinda bad about saying anything, but when I did the waitress was nice enough to take one of the beers off our tab, so props for that. If you go, order the Reuben!
(3)
Julia S.
The waitstaff here is always snotty and borderline rude. They overcharged my pal's card & messed up my order. The food is really hit or miss. But honestly the biggest downer is the obnoxious staff and their inability to smile or be friendly.
(2)
Vanessa M.
Sevice can be spotty, but it's a reliable spot, serves the best and healthiest not-so-healthy food (e.g. biscuits and gravy) possible. Plus, they cater to just about every strange and/or restrictive diet possible.
(4)
Beth L.
We hadn't been to the Vita in awhile but with family in town and a couple of vegan/vegetarians in the group, we decided to go. The food is just as good as always and we had great service. Our waiter was professional, quick and kind. The food arrived quickly and everything was just right.
(5)
Edward J.
I love Vita Cafe. The vegan food is wonderful, though it may take some use to for the meat eaters who never had vegan food. I got the vegan fried chicken steak with gravy, and that was tasty. My boyfriend got the mushroom strognoff pasta, he thought it was alright, could've do perfect with some vegan beef or chicken. My friend from LA (the meat eater) got the fish and chip, now that was a bit disappointing. We expected to be soy fish but it was soft tofu fried with vegan batter. The batter and the fries are good though. We want to try the dessert next time we go. The cake looks so good.
(4)
Samantha E.
Not only was the food amazing but our service as prompt, kind and honest. Ashley a great! Not only did she take time out of running a billion tables (the place was packed) to answer our questions about the menu but she was honest about what was good and what was just okay. My Thai coconut soup was out of this world as was the basil dressing for my salad. Good job Vita Cafe and Thank you!!
(5)
J B.
best menu in portland for vegetarian
(5)
M K.
I love the selection of vegan food they have here. I have tried the vegan ruben, the club sandwich the mac and cheese, and a few of the soups and salads, all of which were awesome. The soup and salad comes with some amazing home made bread that I'm in love with. The service is ok, but the food makes up for it
(5)
Surranna V.
I spent a short amount of time in my life as a vegan and I swore by this place. They have great selection of things for vegans and veggies. I would only return if I was with a veg. They also carried some good wines to go with dinner. I dug the atmosphere also.
(5)
Bula W.
I'm addicted to the Seitan Stew. Love it. My mouth waters when i think of it (like right now....). Their drinks are also fun, especially during Wednesday's discounts. Kids do run around during happy hour but the place still has a great vibe.
(4)
Marcel L.
We popped in here by accident, and since I was in the mood for a burger and fries I definitely didn't try any of their specialties. But the burger was great, although the fries were a bit greasy and soggy. The service was good and they had a few toys for tots. A pleasant repast in a warm environment.
(4)
pepper j.
Wonderful food, great in the summer
(5)
Jeremy S.
Being new to the neighborhood and having driven by this place, we assumed it was a coffee shop. After having gotten coffee across the street at the Concordia Coffee House, however, and peeking in and seeing people eating food, we came to the conclusion that it is in fact a restaurant (duh). After perusing the menu, we decided to give it a shot. We ended up splitting the Mediterranean tuna steak and the risotto fritters. If there's anything I can complain about here, it;s the service, which, while not horrible, was less than attentive. It was a busy night, so I'll cut them some slack, especially since the food was so good! They goofed and brought our risotto fritters to another table, so our meal was a little backwards (entree first then appetizer), but the tuna was so damn good we didn't really care. And for $9.75?? Seriously, this is a meal that you would expect to pay $16 for and not feel ripped off. It was that good. At $7, the risotto fritters were tasty, but much less bang-for-your-buck awesome. Being not even slightly vegan or vegetarian, there are aspects of this place that annoy me a bit (what if I just want some REAL mac n' cheese??), but overall we would definitely come back here again (if for no other reason than that tuna steak), and their Wednesday night happy hour seems like a great deal - $2 pints of Wolaver's?? Say no more, I'm in!! Edit: We came back for breakfast a few days later and split the "country plate" (or whatever it is). I made a point to ask the waitress how someone like myself who is neither vegan nor vegetarian would react to their "almond gravy". Upon hearing my question, a guy seated at a table behind us piped up and said "well, I'm not vegetarian eigther, but I love it". So, given that endorsement and the generally high caliber of food we've experienced here (see above), we decided to give it a shot. And well, if I had the choice between sausage gravy and almond gravy, I probably wouldn't choose the almond, it was still pretty good, and overall the meal was excellent - and the two of us got filled up for $10 ($9 for the plate and $1 for an extra biscuit)! The waitress was a bit surly again (although once again it was very busy, and for awhile she was the only waitperson there), but I'm willing to deal with it when the food is this good and this cheap!!
(4)
kristin e.
All day happy hour on Wednesdays is what I discovered upon being seated which was perfect because I was craving mac-n-cheese (vegan) and saw that during HH, it's $5 instead of $7 and cocktails were $5 (I think) too. I ordered the philly cheese steak (made with seitan) with vegan cheese because I dislike pepperjack cheese (the real cheese option of you order it) and the mac-n-cheese with steamed broccoli added on top. The cheesesteak was pretty tasty but I was a little disappointed with the mac-n-cheese. I was hoping for a nice creamy mac-n-cheese (like the super delicious one featured on vegnews.com ) but it was kinda thin and watery...it'd be more accurate to list it as some kind of pasta dish and not mac-n-cheese. I had the ginger rogers cocktail (kinda like a mojito but with gin and gingerale instead of soda and rum) which sounded good in theory but it wasn't well balanced and tasted too much like gin to taste the hints of mint and ginger.
(4)
Kelly M.
Vita used to be owned by the same folks who brought us the Paradox, the cornerstone of Vegan restaurants in southeast. The Vita Cafe, their Northeast endeavor, features similar comfort food tendencies, but with a more sophisticated menu and atmosphere. Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, plus a nice patio and good desserts.
(4)
Valerie W.
The moment I stepped into this cafe, I knew I liked it. The atmosphere gave off a laidback and unique vibe, which was a good start. I loved the variety of options on the menu. I tried the Vegan Mac 'n Cheese, which I know is not terribly exciting, but I wanted to see how the flavor compared with regular mac 'n cheese. It was quite tasty. My two friends ordered the Thai Pasta and Italian Pasta, both of which were delicious and flavorful (of course I had to try them). The "sausage" in the Italian Pasta had a nice bit of spiciness to it. I absolutely love the low prices for most of the dishes. The night we went, my mac 'n cheese only cost $5, as well as my friend's thai pasta. We also tried the Mint Chocolate Cake for dessert, and it was amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back just for dessert. As other people mentioned, the service was quite slow, but since this was my first visit, it was worth the wait. I will definitely be returning to try some of the other dishes.
(4)
TheBeesKnee S.
I want to like the Vita Cafe, but I'm still on the fence. The menu is amazing, the food itself is okay. The problem comes in when they advertise something like homemade seitan and then barely include it. I got the seitan stew and was hoping for a hearty cold-weather meal, but the seitan was in paper-thin strips the width and height of my pinky finger. Disappointed, I turned to my boyfriend to try his Italian pasta, he said he could barely find the homemade sausage. It was crumbled into teeny tiny pieces, and just dusted on the pasta. Come on, guys, give us the good stuff! Give us big chunks of our fake meat!
(3)
Reed E.
When people speak of the disdainful attitude of portland servers, they all must have been to the Vita at least once. Portland is a pretty veggie friendly town, and I can think of at least ten other places I'd go to before this one. I guess their biscuits and almond gravy is pretty good, but the lack of service kind of makes it not worth it. I once waited over an hour before our food came. It wasn't that packed, and numerous times we saw our "waitress" sitting at the bar talking to some dreaded out stink bomb. We only kept waiting cuz the person with us really likes their pancakes. I wish I could give it another chance because some of the food is tasty, it's got a nice outside seating area, and it's close to home, but I can't stand being in an establishment where the workers make you feel unwelcome.
(2)
sara r.
Why is it that almost every "vegetarian" restaurant in portland serves meat? How stupid. However, despite its stupidity, vita is still my favorite place to eat in portland. The chicken fried steak with almond gravy is vegan and fantastic. Also the mac and cheese with brocolli and tempeh is pretty awesome too. Fair prices and USUALLY not too long of a wait.
(4)
jillian r.
not impressed. the food was alright. tempeh bacon not that great, mac and cheese nothing to write about, bland bland bland, the chili wasn't too bad, but they couldn't have given a smaller portion... the service was terrible and that completely killed my dining experience. willing to give it another shot, based solely on the other reviews. But not if our server is the female server with short blond hair.
(2)
Juliette S.
I went to this place after being given the impression by their advertising in a family magazine that it was a kid restaurant. It was as much a kid restaurant as any restaurant is with a kids menu and coloring crayons. I actually felt a little uncomfortable bringing my kids there as the restaurant doesn not have a kids friendly vibe. I actually almost didn't walk in because I thought is was a bar at first glance. The tempeh is tolerable at best if it is slathered with gravy or hummus, or both. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy and that was fabulous. My daughter was terrified of her plate of rice, veggies and tofu. So the food was hit or miss. The service was very slow at best. The place not busy at all and everything took forever. If you consider that there are very few vegan options in town, it should be 5 stars, I just can't do that though. They didn't earn it. Hint for staff: When you have a customer with a screaming child, and the customer is standing by the booth with a crying baby - it is probably a good time to bring the check. Just a suggestion.
(3)
Jillian B.
Club Sandwich til I die.
(5)
Tall C.
I went here for the first time because it was fairly close to an event @ Woodlawn Pk. that me and my date went to. I never hang in this neighborhood because all it has, as far as getting out to "sight see" is mostly bars and restaurants. Kinda reminds me of being in a theme park......shit, Portland is kinda like a big theme park but you can live there. Anyway, we had a great waitress who brought me my order of fries(wasn't very hungry) and them sommBitches were way over cooked! As soon as she was getting ready to sit them on the table, i was like "damn! he sizzled them babies to death eh?" but she was cordial about it and let me ttry one just to see and i was like "nah" . So about 10 min later she brought back some fries that were tits. Perfectly done(crispy outside and moist inside). My date ordered the vegan buffalo wings, which i tried and loved. Great buffalo sauce over battered tofu, but the dip was not so great tho. I would return for more tho....the cook knows what he's doing.
(3)
katie g.
The boyfriend and I decided to come here on Sunday after we decided that we didn't have the three hours it takes to eat at the Tin Shed. The inside is all right looking, I found the giant numbers posted on each booth or table a little off-putting. I mean, can't the wait staff memorize which tables are which? I bet its not that hard. Anyways, i had a hard time deciding what I wanted and my waitress happily pointed somethings out. I had the 2+2+2 ( 2 corn cakes, 2 eggs (or tempeh or tofu) and 2 meat(ish) items) and my boyfriend had the mexican scramble with potatoes and homemade onion bread. The Tempeh that I substituted for eggs were totally flavorless, and I had to steal some gravy from the biscuits and gravy that we had also ordered to make them palatable. The corncakes and tempeh bacon were delightful. The corncakes are really hearty and I wish I had just ordered them with a side of bacon. The gravy was good (although not as good as mine) and my boyfriend really liked his scramble and the bread. The potatoes were dry and crispy, which some people may be into, and don't have a whole lot of seasoning on them, so keep that in mind if you are ordering them. As for the service, our waitress was sufficient, but it was hard to wave her down to ask for things that she have brought in the first place (jam for the toast, etc.) and seemed pissed when we wanted a clean fork after one fell on the ground (I'm certainly not going to assume that their floor is as clean as mine!). Pretty typical Portland service that gets by here but would be abominable anywhere else in the world. There is a big patio out back that looks like its pretty sweet during the summer and a full bar. I like that they compost everything. Overall, I think this is another example of a place that is trying too hard to serve vegan food that tastes like meat instead of just trying to serve good food that happens to be vegan.
(3)
ToriDawn S.
I've been here twice now and have been pretty darned pleased both times. Portland is supposed to be a mecca for vegan and veg faire, and Vita Cafe lives up to that rep! First time I came, a friend and I just shared the nachos-YUM!!! He's not even vegan and was hesitant about trying the vegan cheese, but after one bite he changed his mind. The portion was excellent, the flavors great, and if I hadn't felt bombarded by the waiter to order a slice of vegan cake (he asked about 4 times), my first time would have been 5-star worthy. My second visit was good, but not quite as great-although I was quite hungover and it was my birthday so expectations were high. I had a bloody mary (thumbs up) and, after reading all the reviews, the chicken fried steak. I will agree with everyone else and say that this is a meal made in veg heaven. and you dont even have to be a veg to love it. The mac and cheese was so-so...kinda bland and not well reheated. Service has always been friendly yet average, and I love the giant booths. Very spacey and fairly private.
(4)
lauren b.
So after my first visit to Vita I was so excited about this place. It really was amazing. The first time. Worth 5+ stars. Upon returning (and getting the same thing) a few times, it is clear to me that it it's worth three. The wine is good. The veggie lasagna (the first time) was incredible and then went downhill. The service blows for the most part to be quite honest. My most vivid memory of vita was the wait. Waiting on water, waiting on wine, waiting waiting waiting. The servers were ok I guess, but more on the normal snotty portland end of things. I really wanted to love this place. If the service was a bit better and the food more consistent, it would be so much better. I brought my dog one of the last times which was cool, only to be turned away because they decided randomly to close early. It's definitely not the best veggie/vegan place around, but it's decent. It's worth giving it a whirl.
(3)
augustus B.
The Vita is aways a good bet. I give the points for consistency and service. A few people have remarked on the way the servers look. If you want abercrombie zombies, go to the pearl...This is a vegan/vegetarian friendly place in alberta, what did you expect? That being said, i don't care if the staff starts wearing bones through their noses, the service here is ALWAYS on point. Maybe if some people weren't total eff- faces, the people at vita would treat them better. I always get a good recommendation and a smile, so i dont think you can believe everything that people say. Anyway, the food is good, the service is great, and there is never a long wait. The only thing to be weary of is the deserts. Ask how fresh they are and buy accordingly, and you're all set. If you're on the winning (vegan) team, break bread here, you will enjoy the meal
(4)
pongo p.
duuuddeee! we used to live in tacoma, wa and took the trip to pdx a few times a year and we always stopped here or the sister restaurant, paradox. their chicken fried steak (vegan) is the best i've ever had. their nachos are incredible.
(4)
Elizabeth O.
I love the Vita Cafe (across the street from its old location). It's got a little bit of everything - and you can't help but enjoy the cool decor. I would recommend this place for all ages. There's a toy box and high chairs for kids. There's a bar for adults. And the menu suits everyone. Try the salmon cakes - they're delicious! I'll definitely be going back to the Vita Cafe.
(5)
Wendy C.
Why do I always find great patios at the tail end of summer? Arrrgh! Friend had a gift certificate for Vita Cafe she'd been trying to unload for a year, so we met up with small children in tow to cash that sucker in. First, had no idea how child-friendly the patio was. Even the bocce ball court, if you can reinforce the "balls are for rolling, not for throwing" rule, is pretty good entertainment. Families were hanging out at the big picnic tables and everyone seemed very sociable. Just a good neighborhood vibe - small child even saw a buddy from school there. Second, completely spacey service. Wait staff wandering around not doing much. Bread brought out like 20 minutes after salad had been consumed. Things randomly added to and left off the bill. Third, food was decent. I had a tomato and basil salad with fried chickpeas and immediately demanded that everyone at the table try a fried chickpea. So good! All the other food got an "eh, it's fine" reception. Vita's focus on organic/sustainable/vegan even carries over to their tidy little wine and beer list. Finally, cheapskate that I am: Kids eat for $1 every day from 5-7pm! ALSO: adults can get a $5 dinner AND a $2 cocktail on Wednesdays during the same hours. Next summer, I'm totally camping out here.
(4)
neil o.
love this place. at dinner i had lasagna - half red sauce and half pesto since i couldn't decide - and it was all wonderful. breakfast burrito is also fantastic, as is the italian scramble. herb onion toast is great. no complaints.
(5)
Rachel J.
The first time I ate here I went with my omnivorous boyfriend and our vegan friend, and we ordered up a delicious feast, complete with vegan desserts. Everybody left sated and happy.
(5)
April B.
the service wasn't that great (slooooooooooow), but I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and it was amazing. brown gravy, of which i am normally not a fan, and a tall homemade biscuit. mmmm good. and for dessert--vegan mint chocolate cake. i can't wait to go back and try other menu items. i wish it was closer to my house.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jess P.
I think I shed a tear when I first saw vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes on their menu. Combined with a beer and some mint chocolate cake, I ate and drank myself into a beautifully blissful comatose state. I was in my own little vegetarian nirvana. On my second trip I tried the buffalo chicken wrap and my friend had the club sandwich. The wrap was very good and I was surprised by what they managed to do with that tofu- but I suppose cardboard would be delicious if it were fried and smothered in sauces. The club was also good, albeit a little plain. My main complaint is that even the entrees are served more a la carte style. I'm not a huge french fry peson, so I wasn't disappointed that those weren't on the side. However, I would have loved to have a green salad or one of those other customary sides. But in order to do so I would have had to pay an extra $3.50. At already $8 for the wrap alone, it seemed like the charge for adding a side could have been lower. But this is just my student loans groaning. The servers have always been very pleasant- no complaints there. The decor is certainly charmingly off-kilter- we sat behind a painting taken from a long-deceased barber shop of their offered hairstyles/shaves. My personal favorite was the "sideburn that turns into a mustache" look. Sexy, but besides the point. You and I both know as soon as we've found mustache art, we've found a hipster haven. UPDATE: I finally tried their brunch. A little underwhelmed. The huevos rancheros was smothered in a chili- I prefer huevos rancheros to showcase fresh flavors like pico de gallo instead. I'd also advise others to steer clear of the bloody mary's. Too acidic, not enough balance. Sort of had to choke it down.
(3)Zeb C.
Keep in mind I am not a vegan. So maybe the charm and quality of the food is lost on me. I got an egg scramble with veggies, and there was 1 carrot slice and 2 sad broccoli heads. The potatoes are so overly spiced that they taste like something you'd find at a fast food restaurant. The eggs were way overdone. The water glass was slimy, but the coffee was good. The folks with me are vegetarians and vegans and they claimed their chicken fried "steak" and vegetarian items were good. Our server had a shirt that was too short and pants that were low-cut, thus our view at the table was his pubic hair and groin. Maybe folks find this charming, but I found it gross. I won't be back.
(2)Tara V.
I came to Vita Cafe with high hopes. My friends had given great reviews so I was expecting a solid, vegetarian dining experience. I was disappointed. First the positives: Atmosphere was pretty good, nice and laid back. Lots of vegan options on the menu, which was great. The challenge: It could have been just an off day for the chef, but all 3 dishes we ordered were extremely salty. We ordered huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy and corn cakes (at the recommendation of our waitress). We are thrilled that this vegan cafe exists and want to try again later to see if it was just the items we ordered.
(3)Victoria R.
This place is amazing! I have been hearing about it for a few years and I just decided to try it last month. Now, I can't get enough! I'm a vegan and their food is fabulous, but my nonvegan friends love it here too. The bloody marys are great. I have been here for every meal and it's consistently killer. Their service is attentive without being overwhelming and they give excellent recommendations. I did get a weird look when I ordered raw cheesecake at 10am, but I regret nothing.
(5)Suma S.
Hate to update with fewer stars, because this used to be one of my favorite places and I'd come here like once a week. The food is still good, but the service has basically driven my crew's patronage to other veggie-friendly places in town. It's a pity. For the past few months, we by some horrible fate always end up with the same server, no matter what time we come, who always conveniently "forgets" a part of my order. I suppose a cup of soup, sandwich, and oh lord, fries, is basically just throwing both of my feet in the grave, because each time I order, she kind of stares in an expression hovering somewhere between fear and disgust. Uh? Ok? And really, who are you judge people's eating habits? Anyway, she always forgets a part of my order. Whether it's the side of fries or my freakin' entree. Everyone else's food will arrive and mine will either just not arrive at all or she'll forget part of someone else's order at my table to try to convince us to just share it. If the other person mentions it, she often makes a snide comment about how she thought "that would be plenty". News at 11! You're not eating it! It's seriously so rude and embarrassing that I have had to talk people down from confronting this server or calling the manager over on at least three occasions, because, I reasoned, she's "new". Well, she isn't new anymore and we eat at other places now because ordering food that, I assume, is on the menu because the owners of this place would like people's business, which is had by ordering food, has become so emotionally difficult and socially awkward that we just don't want to endure it. Two of the three of us that were regulars are recovering from EDs. Food judgment and attempt to re-portion our orders is the exact opposite of what we look for in a dining experience. Our average bill would usually come to around $40-50/week back when the staff was comprised of friendly people who understood how service works. We aren't crappy tippers, either. That's a lot of money that we're taking to other places now. It's too bad, because we all miss the tempeh.
(2)Merlin A.
Food = tasty. Price = good value. Cloud of flies in the dining room = I won't be coming back.
(2)Cheryl R.
I was impressed by this place! A great stop for vegan food, nice atmosphere, good coffee and great portions.
(5)Lauren G.
Came here for a drink and some nachos. It took about 15 minutes for someone to come greet us and take our order, but after that they had it figured out.
(4)Trevor G.
Wonderful vegan food at its finest. Service was slow (very slow), but our server was great. He gave us great recommendations and was very friendly. There were two other servers as well and it looked like our server was having to work extra hard because the other two were slow to the point of being zombies.
(3)Jason C.
Cute, welcoming decor but service was a little slow most likely because we walked in seconds after they opened. Started with the Buffalo Tofu which was amazing, I think they fry it tempura style before soaking it in delicious, spicy, buffalo sauce. Wife had the Salmon cakes (amazing) and the Philly sandwich. All in all definitely in my top list of vegetarian restaraunts.
(4)Shawn H.
I've reviewed this place a few times, still have the same complaint....service.
(4)Dwayne L.
We're visiting from Brooklyn and were looking for a vegan brunch spot today. A couple of people mentioned this place and after reading all the great reviews on yelp, we decided to give it a try. The menu looked awesome, and so did most of the food, but when we actually started tasting it, we were pretty disappointed. The tofu (which replaces their eggs on request) here is minimally seasoned and tastes very bland. Not sure why they aren't preparing scrambled tofu like every other veggie place. It's so easy to make - just add turmeric and nutritional yeast. The biscuits and gravy were bland as well and missing something. Champs in BK adds tofu sausage, so maybe that could help. And finally, the French toast. It looked awesome but tasted very OFF. I realize it's made with sour dough bread but I've had it that way before and it's been good at other places, but here it tasted wrong. Weird after taste and the texture of corn meal? The only thing that helped me get through it was the overpowering cinnamon and maple syrup. Prob the strangest tasting French toast I've ever had. The staff seemed friendly, but I wouldn't eat the food here again.
(2)Laleh E.
Vita Cafe was the first place my friends took me to eat during my recent excursion to Portland, and I'm still thinking about the excellent salad I ate there!! I ordered the Greek Salad, which was fresh and crisp to begin with, but on the side they added a pesto vinigrette of some sort, which I dipped some of the greens into. I seriously don't think I've ever been happier with a salad before!! Okay, enough about that salad! I found the atmosphere pleasant, and the menus to be artistic. The menu seemed to be friendly to all three of us, even though we each have drastically different eating habits. It was a delight to sit outside on one of the umbrella patio tables. My only regret about this place was not ordering the salad in a larger size. I also tried the thai coconut soup, which came with the onion and herb bread, which you MUST order if coming here! Delicious and nutritious earns Vita five stars!
(5)Kimberley D.
Tasty vegan desserts. Mmm, biscuits and veggie gravy. Plenty of meat options for the non-vegetarians too. My bloody mary was not amazing, though, so a star was deducted for that.
(4)Grace J.
Fresh carrot juice. Yummy vegan country breakfast with almond gravy. De-lish!. Nice servers. It was good good good.
(4)P O.
I'd like to give this place a positive review, but I just can't do it. The first time I went, I had a delicious vegan BLT sandwich which sitting in the very nice patio that they had at their previous location. However, I visited their new location this weekend, and was disappointed. My parents and I tried to go their Saturday evening, but when we got there, there were already 8 groups waiting for tables. It was a sign-yourself-up system, which was alright, except that there was nobody to ask how long the wait might be. After half an hour, only one group had been seated, so we called it quits. We tried again Sunday evening, and were seated right away. The tomato white bean soup I ordered was terrible. It tasted like thick tomato juice with cilantro. There were virtually no beans. It was too salty to eat. My parents and I all ordered the soup, and none of us could eat it. We told them nicely at the end of the meal that the soup was awful, and they were totally unapologetic. weird.
(2)Jill R.
On the good side... they had great vegan and vegetarian choices. What we got was really good. Their fries are awesome, and their martinis are strooong. We did not have room, but their vegan deserts looked fantastic. There are many other things on the menu I'd like to try. Hey! They even have a bocce court! On the bad side... at first it does not appear kid friendly, but when you realize that you are one of two tables without kids you begin to wonder. I totally felt like I was eating in some twisted daycare. I'd go back for the food, but I'd make sure I went late in the evening. It was my bad because I went around 6pm. I should have known better. The service was pretty slow, but really that was not too bad... the martinis were good.
(3)Nathan V.
I like Vita's new space and all, and the fact they have vegan food is great. But I can't get over the service; I really don't remember it being so bad. The other day, when our food (breakfast scramble and salad) arrived 45 minute after ordering, the most our server said was "Sorry for the delay" and walked away. I later asked if there was bread with my $8 salad. He said no. I ate, and left. It's too bad. I remember this place being so much better.
(2)Brooke H.
One word describes my Vita experience: GROSS. Lacadasical service, AWFUL corn chowder. Yikes. It's in my hood, which I love, but YUCK. I'll stroll down to Random Order Coffee House, home of the BEST PIE on the planet (not just sweet, which are each and every one fabulous, also their chicken pot pie is outta this world!!!).
(1)Erika V.
Vita is a place I always had to go to at least once when I used to visit Portland. Now that I live here I still enjoy it but it's a bit too pricey to go as much as I like. It's definitely more expensive than other places with similar items and sides aren't included. But I love their breakfast stuff. The Chicken fried steak, biscuits & gravy, turkey club are all amazing but I would say skip the mac n cheese. I remember it being not lame a couple years ago but maybe they lost the original recipe along their move across the street. The service sometimes sucks but sometimes not.
(4)Tnerb L.
Vita has a well put together menu. There's a good variety for both veggie's and vegan's. Everything I've tried so far has been great, I am a fan of the Buffalo Things for sure. The service was spot on, quick and all the servers had a smile and were super friendly. Pricing was average for this style of food. Veggie/Vegan's this place is definitely worth checking out if you hadn't already.
(4)Kenny S.
Yummy, yummy stuff. Excellent vegetarian, & vegan options. Even a couple meat options. Good anytime of the day. But my favorite must be the Buffalo Tofu Wrap. YUM! Beer & great cocktails to boot.
(4)Malea X.
three words, people: spicy. tempeh. sticks. goddamn they're SO good! i had lunch here 3 days in a row and the food was soooo good. recommendations: spicy tempeh sticks (after 4pm), chopped salad (after 4pm), seitan cheese steak sandwich, chicken fried "steak," corn cakes. the vegan blt is pretty good, too. they make their own vegan ranch dressing! yum. that's all. just yum.
(4)Courtney D.
Vegan, free range tasted great I was a bit skeptical going to the Vita Caf since I'm not a vegetarian and heard that their menu was primarily based on vegan choices. But once I sunk my teeth into their biscuits with almond gravy, my stomach oozed with happiness. Their menu was adventurous to say the least, which can be a bit intimidating to someone who tends to stick with what she likes. But I quickly found some eggs with free-range bacon on their breakfast menu, which was very tasty. Not sure if it was the organic vibe or not, but everything tasted healthier and settled good in my system. Tip: There's a beautiful garden patio with picnic tables just waiting for warm weather.
(3)Lulu P.
This place is consistently tasty and friendly, and even if the service is a little slow during peak hours, wait staff has always been competent and friendly. (Living in the neighborhood, I've become obsessed with the poor service at Alberta restaurants, so this is huge for me). I'm an omnivore, but Vita is my go-to weekday dinner joint,
(4)Amy L.
Good vegan food, and it's nice to have a vegan restaurant close by. Their almond gravy is divine! Only down side - slow service.
(4)A. B. C.
i heart vita. i've had at least one item for each menu, breakfast lunch and din-din. the thai corn cakes for breakfast are my favorite! made with sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup, they are exotic but not weird. sweet but not too sweet, a little bit of a bite from the ginger and and l little bit savory from the corn meal and cilantro. i've seriously contemplated many other breakfast dishes but i can't bring myself to stray from their deliciousness. i am a dedicated omnivore...i mean really, i'll eat almost anything. howevah, i'm not a purist when it comes to my traditionally meaty meals. as a testament to that, the vita reuben is the best vegan reuben e-v-e-r (just ask for more sauce...but maybe that's just me, i love sauce). dare i say? it's better than a meaty reuben!?!? the first trip ever to vita was for dinner, after some friends had picked me up from the airport. i was famished. it was a wednesday. what does that have to do with anything? you ask. well, wednesday they have a happy hour that's a $5 entree and a beer (or maybe the beer is extra? either way it's all together cheaper than a normally priced entree). i had the thai pasta (i really am obsessed with peanut sauce) which was scrumptious, and a beer- from h.u.b i think...maybe from captured by porches (side note: props to myself for actually remembering the name of captured by porches without phoning-a-friend!) the only reason i've deducted a star is because the last couple of times i was there our service was less than amazing. maybe our server was having a bad day or maybe she hates her job... it definitely showed- we were being so nice and not high-maintenance at all! every time before that, though, the service has been awesome.
(4)Christen M.
I come to Vita quite frequently. I like the food, I like the atmosphere, I like the waitstaff. But everything about the place is hit and miss. Some of the food is fantastic. I especially love the "BLT" made with tempeh bacon; ditto the "fish" and chips, which come with a wonderful dill sauce. I'm also fond of some of the pasta dishes, and the desserts are just freaking fantastic. Of course, sometimes the aforementioned chips come out a bit soggy and undersalted. There's also the matter of service. Once my housemate and I came here on a not-super-busy Thursday night and waited fully half an hour just to get a chance to order, and much longer for our food to arrive. When we did, it was cold and unimpressive. The servers, I should note, were very nice and friendly, but there just weren't enough of them working that night (I think there were two or three people total, waiting on a small crowd of about 15-20 people). Frustrating. So why is this a four-star review and not a three-star review? Well, the last few times I went there, things seem to have improved greatly. I understand the restaurant has changed hands recently, there's a new menu, and the last two times I went to Vita I got pretty decent service. In fact, a couple of months ago I went to a friend's birthday dinner in a group of at least 10 people -- but we got a chance to order shortly after we'd arrived, then got our food promptly. I'm not ready to give the place a full-on ringing endorsement just yet, but I'm willing to try it once or twice more to see if the service is going to be consistently good.
(4)brianna w.
Simply the best vegan diner in the city. Or atleast in the top 5. To the impatient, avoid dining in when it's crammed full of hungry hippies, the wait can be brutal. But as far as I'm concerned it is always worth the wait. Vegans, try the "buffalo things" with ranch dressing, seriously, yowza. I also love love love the chick'n fried steak, the seitan cheese-steak and for the a.m. set, french toast.
(5)Ariel S.
Two stars is really an average of the two times I went -- the first time I swung by for brunch by myself. They were busy, and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for the wait staff to acknowledge my existence. Each of the servers pointedly avoided making eye contact with me (seriously: I couldn't get anyone to even tell me how long the wait was going to be!), so I figured they didn't need my business and left. One star. I went back for dinner a few months later, and found it much quieter. My mac 'n' vegan-cheese was decent (nothing impressive) but my date's Ruben sandwich was totally tasty. It was a bit of a redemption (four star), but I still gotta say that it was mostly my stubbornness that sent me back -- usually the total lack of service that I got the first time I went is enough to keep me away.
(2)Min Min T.
Chick'n fried steak is awesome. I don't really understand how it's a breakfast food but the biscuits and almond gravy rocks. I would eat everything and anything that that gravy touches. Brown rice was also great quality and tasty. My only suggestion is that there should be some greens or fruit to balance the meal out.
(4)Tess H.
Amazing little restaurant! Just made the switch to vegetarian diet about 10 days ago and stopped in here for dinner last night. I ordered the "chicken" wings, chili, "chicken fried steak", and "fish" and chips. My husband is a huge carnivore and even admitted his fish and chips and wings were divine. The atmosphere is trendy, dim lit, warm, and the waitress was super awesome. Can't wait to go back and try some other entrees off the menu.
(5)Robyn A.
This place is a great way for folks to ease into the Vegan world, and offers so much for us Vegans to enjoy. I loved my grain salad with quinoa, as I love to eat mostly raw food. The Coconut soup was very tasty, but not even quite hot enough. (Temp wise) My husband ordered the Veggie burger with the grilled onions and had the chili on the side, and he very much enjoyed both, but he also said the chili wasn't up to serving temp. Service was very nice. and the place was hopping, we had to wait about 15 minutes to get a table on a Wednesday evening, so glad to see them get so much business. Prices are great! We will be back!
(4)Kara D.
We arrived about 8pm on a friday night and the place was pretty busy. We stood at the sign that said "please wait to be seated" for about 5-10 minutes with no one even acknowledging us. Apparently there was a sign in sheet, but how were we supposed to know. At this point I was pretty pissed... When we finally got seated the waitress said it was her first day... Ok, so I'm not pissed at HER for ignoring us anymore. She was nice and got our orders correct, and the food was good and reasonably priced....
(4)Pete L.
I may be somewhat unusual for a reviewer of this restaurant as I am someone that loves meat. Be it Kobe-style beef from Snake River Farms or fois gras, I'm a fan. However, it's hard to dispute the argument that incorporating more vegetarian and vegan food into our gustatory lives is a very good thing: it's largely better for the environment (yes, we use petrochemicals to fertilize grain to feed animals) and (not surprisingly) better for us. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked, actually) by the quality and flavor of the Sizzling Seitan Fajita Platter. I started by accepting the fact that this isn't meat: aspects of the flavor and aroma are meat-like, but to have "meat" on the brain is like living in the past. While slightly saltier than I would have liked, the caramelized flavors of soy and a bit of char from the cast iron griddle tasted wonderful, with the accompanying vegetables (onions, mushrooms) cooked superbly. The acoutrements (vegan sour cream, brown rice, beans, tortillas, et al.) were very good companions, although the beans could have used a bit more dimension in the flavor. The Cooper Hill Pinot Noir (at $6) was, perhaps, one of the best values in glass pours I've had in a while: complex and an appropriate accompaniment to the food as far as my palate is concerned.
(4)Shani R.
The food was just ok the first time I went, but the wait staff definitely took their time with everything - our lunch lasted 1.5hrs, which in my book is ridiculous and we had to flag down the waiter to just refill our water pitcher. I thought I would give them a try again and sure enough, the food wasn't good (not that it was great to begin with) and their service was even worse. We told the waiter to split our check - he gave us a pen and told us to split it ourselves! Not that we can't do the math - but really, would it have been that hard to take our cards to the flippin' register, charge them and give us back the reciepts like every restaurant/ food cart does in this country!!! Let's just say I feel stumped out of my $12.00, that could have gone to something that tasted better, cost less, had great service - like Koi Fusion. One word - HORRIBLE! If you really like to waste your money and your time, go here; because you will wait 50 minutes before getting your food, wait an 40 minutes in totally service time (if you want to call it serve) and the wait staff don't give a hoot about you or your time! It's just to bad that Yelp doesn't have a negative star, because this restaurant is one.
(1)Lindsay I.
We just moved to the area in January and we have been here far too many times. Our favorites are the biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito.
(4)Anjelah S.
Went out to find a good place to have lunch, ended up having a great vegan breakfast. Cute and clean little cafe..Portlandish kind of feel. Very friendly service. I ordered the Country comfort. Instead of the range free eggs, I had the organic tempeh...instead of vegan bacon, I ordered the vegan sausage. And instead of the rice, I ordered the homestyle fried potatoes. Add some fresh buscuits topped with almond gravy to that meal and wow... That was YumMmMmmmy.. And yes...the Almond gravy" was soOoOooo good. I gotta get that recipe. Best Vegan breakfast I've ever had. Great service, great food and I will have to go back again to try thier lunch.
(5)Doug P.
Food usually overcomes angst ridden staff. Buffalo things and super grain salads are the highlight typically with changing soup option always of interest. Used to come often for breakfast but found service and cleanliness lacking.
(3)Sid S.
It's a bad sign when the prices go up and quality goes down- way down. Vita used to be my SPOT. I've been eating the same breakfast item here for years. $8 for everything a vegan could ask for on one plate: biscuit, potatoes, vegan cheese sandwiched between fried tofu, and thinly sliced seitan, all smothered in gravy. There have been subtle changes over the years, and sometimes there would be off days, but my last two visits made things very clear. That favorite dish of mine is in a sad state (and $1 more expensive). I wish I'd taken a photo because it was almost laughable.
(2)Lily S.
I gotta tell you - the last time I ate at Vita was in 2003 and I HATED IT. My meal tasted like sawdust, I felt sick afterwards, had the shits for two days, and refused to go anywhere near their establishment. Fast forward 7 years later and I found myself heading back there for brunch w/ some friends. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED. For the better. Our breakfast was...how you say...EFFING GOOD. We had corn cakes, which we thought were going to be small, but instead were the size of salad plates. We also had the "chicken fried steak" - which is really breaded tempeh, and came w/ biscuits and almond gravy. It was equally as ridiculous. We wound up boxing the food up and sending it home w/ our dining mates. On top of that, we had bloody marys - which were ALSO really good. And of course, Stumptown coffee. Thank you Vita, for not sucking and changing my mind about you! Needless to say, we'll be visiting the next time we're back in town!
(4)Kelli B.
I thought that I had made up my mind about Vita Cafe. I had been there twice and been pretty unimpressed. Up until recently. My roomies and I were looking for a veg-friendly breakfast joint and decided to go to Vita. We had a GREAT experience. Actually, it was the Huevos Rancheros that really pushed us over the edge (the Thai corncakes left a little to be desired, but that didn't matter with huevos in front of us). Awesome. So much delicious food. The service was great, dietary options optimal. It was so great that my roomies took friends there the next weekend, too! Kudos to you for bringing your A game, kudos to me for trying something again. I'll certainly be back!
(4)Christine N.
Oh how i wish i could afford to eat at Vita Cafe everyday! Three words: biscuits and gravy. Vegetarian!! Need i say more? Well, i'm a New Yorker, so it's impossible for me to NOT say more. So here goes... I love their faux turkey, they offer vegan cheese and their fries are super tasty. I've never had a bad meal here! That being said, what's with the superhard uncomfortable seating? I feel like a nun is going to come rap me across the knuckles with a yardstick if my elbow strays onto the table. Also, don't come to Vita if you're planning on having any conversation with your dinnermates. The acoustics in here are atrocious - everything is so loud! Other than those two (very minor) complaints, Vita Cafe is awesome. Go there. Now!
(4)Assaf M.
Great food choices. great vegan options! all was very tasty. good atmosphere. service is a bit slow and sleepy.
(4)Richard V.
Don't know what happened, but the last couple of times I've been the buffalo tofu wrap has been pretty much awful. The tofu has been WAY overbreaded and burned. The best part of that wrap was that it had such a light fry to the tofu that it didn't feel deep fried, but had a slight crunch to it. Now it's like eating a chicken strip sandwich.
(2)Craig C.
Amazing vegan options and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Imaria C.
After coming here 3 times I like this place a little more. The wait staff isn't the most attentive ever. But they are definitely not the worst. The vegan almond gravy is pretty delicious in my opinion. I think I'll be sticking with this place for more breakfast style food, not dinner-y stuff. I'm glad I gave this place a few more chances after my first visit.
(4)Karl W.
I love this place. I really never paid it much attention until one of my friends from out of town was telling me about it. Every time he comes into town he goes to this place and so I would give it a try. IT'S GREAT! I'm a huge fan of the vegan club sandwich. I've strayed from that on the menu a few times and always regretted it. Not that the other food isn't good, it's all good there, but I LOVE the club sandwich. If you're vegan you will probably enjoy this place if you don't already know about it.
(5)Nikki C.
If you want to go to some punk rock cafe where the servers think they are better than the customers. Hey we pay your wage. Get real. My fiancé and I both got extremely sick afterward and get rid of ur teenage mutant ninja turtle shirt old man. Wash ur hands & clean ur restroom. Go next door instead to natural selection at least they look clean and more upscale. I guess if ur broke and want a bad stomach ache and diarrhea then go for ur punk rock lame dirty cafe.
(1)Booker P.
oven roasted vegetable lasagna is wonderful! fair price. this could be my "go-to" place in pdx.
(4)David L.
I thoroughly enjoy their breakfast. Seem to always have a good special breakfast item that's not on the menu.
(5)Dawn-Ashley H.
The vegan Chicken Fried Steak will make you slap your mama. It's the best chicken fried steak I've EVER HAD - and I'm including non-vegan ones. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap is amazing. and I do have a weakness for the gin drink... something 75? can't remember the name, but it's amazing.
(5)Grant S.
I love giving this restaurant four stars. I'd give it five and here is why this veggie is happy. We have arrived sufficiently to have a fancy/casual place with snooty service. Service aside, food is creative, and will fulfill diner and cafe cravings. Veg chicken fried steak is tops, so is the buffalo wrap. Sit at the bar to enjoy the cheeky mason jar light fittings, and come for lunch to groove on the super grain salad. I mean, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and avacado with greens all in one salad? Hell yes.
(4)Daniel Levis K.
4-star vegetarian diner faire. Server recommended the cheesesteak sandwich for my first Vita experience, which did not disappoint. Although perhaps not the best seitan I've ever had, the swiss cheese and peppered veggies on a soft and fresh bun allowed the sandwich to transcend the meh-level of many veggie meat dishes to true deliciousness. They even have a few meat-meat dishes for non-vegetarian friends and family. Carnivorous intelligence has informed me that the burger is a bit on the thin side, but the bleu cheese helps to make it rock. The buffalo tofu appetizer was the only dissapointment here. Not fried chewy enough, so that the breading and overall consistency was a bit on the mushy gross side.
(4)Jen I.
i was only in town for 1 and a 1/2 days and i came here twice. that says something. friday night we choose vita cafe since we had a toddler and a baby in tow. it's kid friendly and vegan friendly so a majority of of my party of 6-7 people were accommodated. i was awash with so many vegan choices that my brain exploded and ended up ordering the italian pasta. which was excellent. the pasta itself, it's definitely from the box but the combo of red pepper flakes, tomato, garlic, breadcrumbs, kale and this delicious delicious vegan sausage made the dish filling. after a long drive, this hit the spot. i also sneaked some of the dr's spicy fries and some of the thick cut bread that came with his tomato soup and both were tasty. the tomato soup was just meh. we came back for pre dinner appetizers the next day as we were wandering and shopping in the area and i was anticipating an hour wait at dove vi vi for dinner later on that evening. we ordered the buffalo things, the fried tempeh sticks and i got a side of the vegan mac n' cheese. my favorite was the buffalo things. the buffalo sauce and the fried on the outside of the tofu was just right. the fried tempeh was indulgent but not greasy but i thought the peanut sauce lacked flavor. the vegan mac n cheese was just ok. nutritional yeast to the rescue! i'm glad they have nooch on hand for moments like their not so cheesy mac n' cheese. the dr. said the reuban was a close second in the running for best vegan reuben he's ever had.
(5)Michael V.
It probably would've taken me a lot longer to try this place out, but seeing as how my friend is vegan, I got to experience what he goes through on a day-to-day basis. I had the vegan club sandwich which is organic tempeh and homemade faux turkey, with vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread. The food was actually really good and with my eyes closed, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between real meat and fake meat. The nice thing about Vita is that it's not strictly vegan, so if for some reason you absolutely positively cannot without a shadow of a doubt live without animal flesh, they have that option for you as well! If you're here though, you might as well try something new!
(4)Erica S.
This place is so overhyped. I live nearby, and whenever I go past I always feel sorry for the people waiting to eat there. Do they know what they are getting themselves into? For a vegetarian restaurant, it is surprisingly difficult to get a vegetable based meal. Their menu is full of super processed soy faux meat drenched in various sauces. I guess some people go crazy for that, but I prefer to eat real food.
(1)Susan B.
We've been going to Vita for a while...I love that they have a great selection of Vegan and Vegetarian options, but are still friendly to the meat eaters. I'm very close to a Pescatarian, except that I let the occasional piece of chicken in my diet every once in a while...that and I love cheese! Otherwise, I'd be Vegan for sure, especially with a place like Vita to eat. So, I have been wanting to write a review forever. I love their Thai curry soup and their Supergrain salad! Delic! Last night was the meal that tipped me to write my review though! They had a SouperBowl special! It was ridiculous! It was the Thai curry soup with barley and steamed veggies and a fried piece of Tempeh (seriously is like a piece of Chicken Fried steak - just like it says on the menu). This thing was off the hook. Pair it up with the Supergrain Salad and you won't be dissapointed! Dessert is yummy too. We had the lemon coconut and weren't dissapointed. We loved this special so much we asked for them to add it to the menu, they said they have all the stuff to make it so we could special order it if we wanted! Yay! I also love that they put a caraffe of water on the table for you. I know that's becoming more the norm, but it's just another reason they rock!
(5)Rick B.
This was the first time I had been back to Vita in over 5 years or so. My wife, who has never been here before, and I were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to go and check this place out. We are not vegetarians but the menu still sounded good to us. Upon our entry, we were greeted to a small crowd of people standing around and waiting. It took me a minute to realize that there was no one to greet guests, just a piece of paper for you to write your party size down on. I looked around the place and there were at least three or four unseated tables. However, there was definitely not enough staff to clear and reset and seat these tables. The staff seemed to be in a mild panic with only half of the restaurant full, all running around aimlessly. Then I noticed that there did not seem to be any one in charge of this chaos. They finally started getting some of the empty tables sat, but we were offered a place at the bar. We took it since it had been 15 minutes already and looked to be another 20 or so. This turned out to be a wonderful decision. Our waitress was quick to ask us if we wanted a drink. We both asked for a pint of the Ninkasi, but they were out of it. I then went with the IPA and the waitress, seeing our disappointment, gave us a three-quarter pint from when the keg blew and she didn't charge us for it. Things were starting to look up!! There were plenty of fun and interesting things on the menu. I decided to go with the Thai pasta and my wife went with the club sandwich with a side of fries. Our food came to the counter in no less than 3 minutes!! My pasta was served with tofu and assorted locally grown greens in a Thai peanut sauce. It was quite delicious! Maybe an extra pinch or two of salt in the sauce would have sent this dish out of this world, but it was still very good. The club sandwich was very good as well. The smokey flavored faux bacon was a nice touch. It wasn't until half way through our meals did we realize that there was a Wednesday special going on. This would explain the chaos for an early Wednesday night. It was all starting to make sense to me. And when our bill came and was under 20 dollars I almost choked! We were charged for only one beer and my entree was only five bucks on Wednesdays!! It seems that if only they had someone in charge making this place run a little smoother, things would have been great. They really do have some cool and great tasting veggie food here and they are also very kid friendly.
(3)Cori W.
This was my fav cafe in Portland during my previous visit, we went twice in 3 days! You must get the vegan fishwich. Perfection! I never liked fish before becoming a vegetarian but this sandwich kills it. The tofu is perfectly crispy and not too moist/raw in the middle, the vegan tartar sauce was superb and the pickles! icing on the cake. Order some fries on the side, very crispy, perhaps double dipped? either way they were fantastic. Only thing I didn't like about my meal was the vegan bloody mary. While I was stoked to see vegan bloody mary aside from making one myself I wasn't a fan of the wasabi as it was far too spicy, needed more balance. Our second visit I tried the BLT with tempeh bacon and it wasn't as memorable. My bf had the huevos racheros with tofu the first visit, it was a large serving with lots of beans and flavor, the second time he had a seitan philly and was very pleased. I'd love to try breakfast and something more dinner-y since we had mostly lunch items. LOVE THE TOFU FISHWICH.
(4)Sarah B.
It seems, somehow, like their food has improved considerably since they moved across the street. The ambiance is much better too. Bravo to them for making the big leap. Overall, I really appreciate this place. There are just so few places where you can eat healthy. On a recent visit, though, the large quinoa salad felt very skimpy and I left hungry (it doesn't take much to fill me up). But I'll keep going back because that's the first time I've been disappointed since the move. Service is friendly and helpful. Sitting at the bar is fun. It can be pretty noisy which I don't mind but others might.
(4)Michelle B.
Oh I love Vita... I LOVE the Tempis Rueben! I can't get enough... My boyfriend loves the chili and fries. I also really like the spicy tea. yum... One of my 3 favorite places to eat in Portland...
(5)clancey y.
how do I start? If you are one of those people that think that vegans eat rabbbit food, then you need to eat at the vita, if you are a junk food vegan or veggie this place will become your kitchen. The server I had was how a server should be and very cool, but I have heard some other reviews..there is always a server that screws all that up. Nachos YES...fried country fried something gravy was country and I knew I was only allowed to go once in a while in fear of dying from over eating. As a vegan I promote this place (so far) and as a health aware person I suggest you watch out! This is the food that americans love to eat but with the karma of an angel. There is some "sticky headed" server running around there giving people bad service, do not blame me if you get her, I have never met her. Yes on the children
(4)Andrea V.
I like Vita. I really do. But jeez, Louise, you can cut the attitude here with a knife. If you can get past the snarly-stinky-hairy waitresses, the food is pretty decent. I'm happily carnivorous but still will indulge in the occasional tofu/seitan/tempeh entree, and they have booze. Best of all, they have amazing desserts and its in my neighborhood. My vegan friends love me for taking them here. Would it really kill the wait staff to bathe and/or smile once in awhile? I swear I'd tip better if you did.
(4)Kabra M.
ok so first night in town, visiting my girlfriend whos wedding im planning, and she takes me here since im allergic to gluten...SCORE!!! (man im gonna do an even better job on her invites now LOL) it was a friday night so there was a bit of a wait but the girls were so nice it didnt matter. super cozy atmosphere w just enough buzz, you know, "were cool but not too loud and umcomfy". :) i got the supergrain dalad which was delish and my friend got the gluten free "macaroni and cheese" special. gluten free vegan?!?! easy to find on a menu?!?!?! I LOVE PDX!!!! everything was great and affordable, i cant wait til im back in may!
(4)Katie C.
Update: Unfortunately, I cannot necessarily recommend this restaurant to my celiac friends anymore. Last night, even after clearly expressing my needs to our server, I was glutened from eating at Vita Cafe. The server was a bit dismissive about my concerns ("We have a staff member here who is celiac and she's totally been fine"). This time we sat at the bar and I could see that the meals that were ready to be served were put in front of open bags of bread. The gluten-free dessert option, which I was informed was prepared in a gluten-free facility (Rawdacious), was stored underneath the regular, flour-rich cakes, although it was covered in plastic wrap. I don't expect perfection from a restaurant that isn't a dedicated facility, but for a place that lists numerous supposedly gluten-free options on its menu, it could take more care to prevent cross-contamination and its customers getting very sick.
(2)Micah D.
So I've been here a couple of times now. The food options are very good. While I am not a die hard vegetarian let alone a vegan I do love the non meat dishes. They are packed with flavor! The prices are reasonable for a sit down establishment and the servers where nice and nice servers apparently are hard to find in this town. The "bar" has bicycle gears embedded into it, that's cool. This is definitely a veggie/vegan lovers dream. They even have a raw cheesecake that I hear is the bomb but have not tried, next time.
(4)Rainbow R.
I have been wanting to try this place for ages. Even though I am not currently a vegan, it is always great to see what vegan creations are out there. When I went, I was stressed because too many things look good. I ended up trying the "fish" sandwhich, and boy, was it good. I had been a true vegetarian for about 8 years, only recently incorporating some fish back in my diet, but this sandwhich makes me realize there isn't the need! Since with most fried fish, I think you only really taste the fried part and the sauces - and that is what this sandwhich tasted like, but better. While some fish can be iffy, the tofu was cooked nicely and the sauce was really good. I can't wait to try other items off the menu!
(4)Bobo J.
Tasty vegetarian delights! I loved the vibe here. They were playing Kate Bush, the bathroom was clean and smelled like oranges, the radical literature was plentiful. We had lunch: fishwich (my personal favorite because of the deep fried and battered tofu!), seitan cheese steak (nothing special but solid), fresh-cut fries (delicious and plentiful), and thai coconut soup (flavorful). The service was excellent--very kind and attentive. I will definitely return.
(4)Xtine B.
I always like to start on a positive note so let's start with the good stuff. . . .the food. I choose this cafe as a meeting place with my stepdaughter on a recent road trip. She and her boyfriend are decidedly not vegetarians and I wanted someplace that would cater to both our tastes. They certainly excel in that area. The menu has enough diversity to satisfy anyones appetite. I had a wonderful lunch of the Vegetarian Ruben Sandwich and the soup of the day, White Bean. The sandwich was so good that I ended up eating the other half in the car within 100 miles. The Not So Good: My pet peeve about most vegetarian food is that it lacks flavor. Vegetarian restaurants, for some reason, don't think of adding a simple pinch of salt to their food and thus add to the illusion that vegetables are bland and uninteresting. I'm a firm believer in never sending anything out of the kitchen that has not been properly seasoned. A little thyme and a pinch of salt would have improved the soup beyond measure. The Not Good At All: If you're expecting a smile with your average service, forget it. I hate to slam the service from a single visit because an individual can have personal ups and downs that can affect their performance and attitude. I couldn't give them a second chance as I was just pass through. Would it have killed the waitress to make me feel welcome as opposed to infringing on her time? I just hate snotty servers.
(3)Jason D.
When I want to eat a vegan breakfast (at lunch time) made just exactly the opposite way grandma used to make it... I go here. Friendly, attentive servers. Great vegan food. Good beer on tap. The only thing I would change and the only reason there aren't five stars: the menu (and thus, the kitchen) isn't entirely vegetarian.
(4)Susan C.
Amazing vegan food. My carnivorous husband loved the buffalo tofu. Great selections for children as well.
(4)Desire' S.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan,but found the vegan selection I chose(vegan club) to be utterly satisfying, and well presented. The server was attentive and charming. Beyond the food, the over all layout of the place was earthy, warm, and welcoming. I'm a fan. Go vita!!
(4)Cory B.
I've always had great luck here. It gets super busy at times, but the food is always good. I especially like their vegan nachos and breakfast burritos.
(4)Jay E.
I had the Country Breakfast or something to that tune. Biscuits and gravy, tempeh bacon, tofu and crispy potatoes. YUMMMYYY. All this for only $9! I wish there was a Vita cafe in LA.
(4)Taylor W.
I have been here a few times and I always receive great service and amazing food. I love their brunch menu.
(5)Samantha P.
I keep hoping to fall in love with Vita, but never do. It's in my neighbourhood and is vegetarian friendly, but the service is always very slow (it seems like the servers have something better to do with their work time than their job or something) and the food is alright, but definitely not mind blowing. They have a good happy hour on Wednesdays, but don't expect quick, friendly service. It's alright, but there are better places in the city.
(3)BB E.
Was wandering around Alberta Street today. Outside enjoying the sunshine and clear skies (a rarity for January in Portland). Was looking for something to eat, and me and my friend were craving some Mexican food. We wandered around and found a place that looked promising, but being a vegan, i was thrown off a bit by the menu. They said the beans and rice where good to eat, but the listing of various meats and by product started to turn my stomach. So back down the street we went. And there like a light in the storm was Vita Cafe. I knew OF them. I knew that the had vegan food. I knew that after attending the NW Veg Fest this past September, that their biscuits and vegan gravy was a knock out of the ball-park. This was it. We were set. We walked right in, and immediately were seated, even though we had my kid and a large stroller with us, and it was pretty busy. They got us table and before we were to the table, a high chair was set up for us, and a place to stash our boat of a baby carrier. The menu was more than promising. The only dilemma, DECIDING! Everything sounded so good. To many choices is so much better than 1 choice like if we went to the mexican joint down the street. They even offer a kids menu which ROCKS (but my kid is still too young for his own, he just eats off my plate for now). I decided to go with the Vegan Club Sandwich, and my friend got the BLT w/ a small side of fries. Food came fast, was fresh, warm and tasted DELICIOUS! My Club was great. The "turkey" was tasty, the "bacon" tempeh perfectly cooked, and it was topped with guacamole! More foods need avocado on them. My kid even liked it (and he is only 9 months old!). My friend said her food was great too (i didn't try her sandwich, but i totally trust her judgment), and the SMALL fries she got, was more than enough for all 3 of us! We could not even eat them all. The environment is real nice. A bustling cafe type atmosphere, great fast service, awesome artwork all over the walls, and killer vegan food. I'm sold! Hands down! I'll TOTALLY be back.
(5)James E.
The staff at Herbivore recommended Vita Cafe to me, so I walked my dog about 4-5 blocks and quickly reached my destination. I've never been to Portland - ever - and being able to take my dog with me into restaurants made me love this city even more. The menu offered a lot of vegan options for me to choose from, and my God how the food quickly filled me up! What's that game called where you roll balls on dirt? Is that bacci? Did I even spell that right? I'm feeling lazy at the moment, spellcheck will have to wait. Whatever you call the game, there's a court in the outdoor area adjacent to the tables. Watching families and children play with one another whilst everyone happily ate--Seattle could stand to take a few notes from Portland.
(5)Katie M.
My boyfriend LOOVVVESSSS Vita because he's vegan and he can get fish and chips there. I think Vita is pretty good. I always get the chili because the chili is actually excellent. The people who work there are also super super nice and service is great. They also always have lots of cake, which is good news for my sweet tooth.
(4)Cosmic M.
The vegan, gluten-free tofu "fish" and chips was great! I really like how I can order from the well-prepared menu for food that meets my dietary needs. Lots of gluten free options.
(4)G W.
This place is really good. If I lived in Portland I would check it out again and again and again. Food was well prepared and service was friendly. The only reason it is getting 3 stars is because of the flies that were present in the dining area. This may have been a one time thing but staff please do something about the flies daily.
(3)Art V. B.
The vegan options in this restaurant are plenty and overall tasty, yet mostly unhealthy due to the high amount of sodium. The salads are fresh and drinks cheap. The decor of the place is nice, service very friendly and the crowd, oh well, gentrified hip as you can expect in Alberta. Both of the entrees that I shared were very salty, however, eating the club sandwich was worth the massive intake of sodium. In contrast, the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes was a health hazard (i.e. very salty) that was not worth eating.
(3)Ranie G.
I was going to write this review earlier today, but I was planning on trying out Vita's Wednesday happy hour tonight and thought I'd allow one more impression before doling out my stars. I've been to Vita about four times before (once for take-out, which I'm not sure really counts), so I could consider myself a pretty good authority for a review. Wednesday night is Happy Hour from 5 pm to closing (not sure what time that is-11?). Draft beers are $2 as are well drinks. Cocktails off the menu are $5, and a small list of items are $5 as well. Tonight I had the Thai pasta. Not only was I shocked to see the huge portion, but it was delicious and arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. My dining partner ordered the multigrain salad which he declared as the best salad he had ever eaten. The staff is friendly and not too hipster. Non vegans might be a little hesitant to try this place out, as most of the menu is dedicated to meat-free dishes, which include a variety of fake meats and cheeses. They do have real bacon and apple sausage in the morning, however. Even so, both of my breakfast experiences here have been a let down. I'd save this one for dinner.
(4)Carole Ann W.
Came here for the first (and second) time over the weekend because it was so close to where I was staying. I'm neither vegan nor vegetarian, so I was pleased to see that they offer meat, as well. Had the 2x2x2 both days with the chicken apple sausage and it was delicious. The first day, I ordered the NW corn cakes and they were good, but not super memorable. I'm not a huge fan of real maple syrup, and the consistency was a bit too soft for my taste. I also ordered a side of the morning potatoes, and HOLY GOD were they good. Seriously, I ate all of mine and half of my friend's both days (although the second day I wised up and subbed the corn cakes for the potatoes). I also got the grapefruit mimosa and it was lovely (and huge). Overall, I was really impressed with the food, although the service was pretty slow even when they weren't very busy. If I lived in Portland, I would come here often.
(4)Bunneh L.
This place confirmed all my suspicions about vegeterian/vegan food. It's not food. Face it, animals taste good. I ordered an omelet w/guacamole. Instead of a verdant green, this guac was an unappetizing olive/brown. I was shocked that any restaurant would even serve something so clearly past its prime. The tempeh was even worse. I don't know if it was just bad tempeh or if tempeh always tastes like ass. Either way, I hated it. The various kinds of faux meats I sampled repulsed me. How do you people EAT this stuff?
(1)Krysta V.
I've been a Vita patron for many years. Service has been hit or miss at times, but the new location is much better. Lots of great options, generous portions and good prices. No one has mentioned their fries, which I happen to think are some of the best. Thick cut with the skin still on. They are super satisfying. I don't think I'm capable of eating at Vita and NOT getting the ceasar salad. I love the Chicken Fried Steak. The fishwich is awesome. Breakfast is always good.
(4)Lisa H.
I've eaten here probably three times due to it's convenient location and vegan food. However the total package is not enough to make me make this a favorite place. It is a good place to go for a diverse food crowd, due to having both meat and veggie options. It seems that they are pretty kid friendly too, so it would be a good place for the littles. I've tried the buffalo tofu wrap a couple times. Pretty good- I absolutely love breaded tofu skin. It's also pretty good sized to fill me up. I've also had the supergreen salad, which while tasty, was too drowned in dressing and didn't contain enough quinoa for my liking. The ambiance is pretty cool and comfortable. The road sign decor matches with the road sign recycling bins on Alberta street. However, every time I've been there the service has been inattentive and slow. Like last night, my group had to put our name on a list, and we were number three. Within a few minutes, three tables had opened up, but it still took us 15 minutes to be seated. Not cool. Would I go there again? Sure, if I had plenty of time set aside. But it wouldn't be at the top of my list of favorite places on Alberta. I'd be interested in trying their sister restaurant Natural Selection, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
(3)Kirsten H.
This is one of my favorite brunch places and I am a meat lover! Some people might shy away from it because it is mostly vegan and vegetarian but the soy "meat" products are delicious. I love getting the Faux Turkey Florentine, the almond gravy is to die for. While sometimes there are long waits its usually worth it and the service is good. I will continue to go there often.
(4)Vi E.
Delicious! I'm not vegan but I've been a couple times and am so pleased. I've had the caeser salad both times which was very saucy and has a LOT of croutons, but its very good. Both times I went during happy hour which is all Wednesday night I believe. I've had a Mojito and the Blue Jay. Both delicious and recommended! The mac and cheese is gooey, cheesy and delicious. and the vegan gumbo is awesome! Good service, little slow some times but worth the wait. I will be back! They also had a full case of vegan desserts. I will have to try the key lime cheesecake (raw) next time!
(4)Amy G.
Something for everyone here. We are a family of 2 vegans and 2 vegetarians and Vita Cafe is one of our mainstays. Breakfast is simply awesome, and dinner is a range of comfort foods and more unique offerings. We even bring our carnivorous family here when they visit... A few organic meat options for die hards like them!
(5)Sophia T.
I had a delish mate and vegan benedict that I enjoyed thoroughly. sweet staff. lots of vegan choices which rocks.
(3)Maddie B.
Terrible service, just ok food and very pricey for what you get. Fries are an undercooked mess, egg scramble was over cooked and not impressive. They waitress charged us twice for everything gave us the bill then never returned. We ended up having to hunt someone down to fix the bill and pay. This is a place to walk right by. If you want amazing vegan food go to And Cafe or Portobello.
(1)Tyler A.
Oh I did. I was in a terrible mental state but one of my besties in the entire world was visiting and all the rich food we had in Seattle was killing her. I ate to soothe my wounded heart but she was about to have a heart attack! So I sat down begrudgingly at this vegetarian joint, then saw the menu. What? What? Normal non-veg options? I still needed to drown my sorrows so she had a kale salad while I had full dairy nachos, grass fed beef burger with bacon and a farm fresh egg, with a side of fries. The fries were the size of small tree branches!!! (It was an emergency! I swear I needed all this!) I couldn't even finish my burger, well, the nachos were flipping amazing. That got my bestie too. Kale salad to the wind, the tasty nachos were topped with cheese, beans, guac and sour cream, and to make my carbo loaded dreams come true, Mexican rice! It was divine and more than enough for 4 people as a main course. I triumphed in this veggie joint. So the moral of this story is if you are consoling a omni-whorish best friend and still want to keep your figure, bring them here. There are ample and delicious options for everyone. Oh and to top it off, service is f*cking awesome! Timely, gracious, friendly - and you can't say that too often here in PDX! 1 star docked cuz my egg was not runny. I know I'm a hard bitch to please!
(4)Taryn E.
Super YUM vegan club!
(5)Jon T.
Vita Cafe was one of the better vegan-oriented places in Portland. In some ways, it reminded me of Herbivore in the bay area, though Vita Cafe is not all vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter.) It had a lot of comfort-type foods and I can surely say after eating an appetizer, club sandwich, and beer, I was more than comforted for the rest of the night. Recommend going here for a funky atmosphere, good beer, and not so healthy vegan food.
(4)Chelsea S.
GET THE BREAKFAST BURRITO! It's HUGE and delicious. You won't leave unsatisfied. A tip for if you order fries, they come in a big enough basket to share. So if it's just you I'd ask for half (unless you want a whole basket of fries to yourself that is!) The only complaint I have is that when it get's busy, it's hard to flag down a server when you need them. Otherwise, excellent.
(4)Carol A.
Delicious vegan options. Good cocktails and the best vegan Italian sausage sub I've ever had.
(5)Sierra D.
I have never had a bad experience at vita. Plus the customer service is already super rad. The food is superb and great for the price. If you're looking for some feel good American vegan food eat here!
(5)Lady L.
Fantastic, healthy breakfast. Mediocre, overpriced lunch. Great atmosphere, cool art on the walls, very cozy. Go for breakfast!
(3)Demi F.
On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. While on the phone placing my order, I asked the server a few questions regarding the menu and ingredients that were not specified on the menu for one item. When I asked her about the ingredients of the Daily Vegan Soup, located on the menu, she breathed heavy with a sigh and said, " the base of the soup has a red color, so I'm guessing it has a tomato base." With the attitude and tone of voice she used, I did not ask further questions about that soup. I ordered the Nachos and the 3 Bean Chili. I was asked if I would like the corn muffin or the onion bread with my order. I asked which item taste better in her opinion and she again sighed, stating she would choose the bread. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, my co-worker checked her bank statement and seen that her card was charged an additional $2. Both myself and our other co-worker checked our receipt and bank statement again. We too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. One co-worker called to speak with a manager and get it corrected on her card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. It's very unfortunate that we received that kind of service for a restaurant that has good and healthy food.
(2)Cheyenne C.
so I came here not even a little hungry and ordered the country breakfast with tofu, veggies, and potatoes and I finished my plate. I have never had biscuits and have and now I'm there #1 fan. veggies were lovely as well as the tofu. The potatoes were exploding with flavor. clean nice place.
(5)Eve K.
Great tasting, healthy food. Very friendly - although kind of slow - service. Worth the long wait for brunch on weekends.
(4)Bliss D.
I want to like Vita. I usually love low-key vegetarian/hipster hole-in-the-walls. But I don't. I don't like it and it makes me sad because I know the potential is there. Also, the hostess has fantastic swagger and looked stunning in her jeans and sparkly shirt. I ordered the huevos rancheros with tofu and fauxrizo. The red sauce that came on it totally overpowered the dish. It's all I could taste. It was so intense and distracting that I couldn't finish. My other half ordered a Thai corncake and I tried a bite. It tasted like I was chewing on the HABA section at Whole Foods. Way too much perfume and far too bland. It needed a tiny little kick of some kind. Not sure what, but it lacked pizazz. Also, this is minor, but our iced teas weren't refilled until the waitress brought over our check. They went empty for about 20 minutes. Sad face. I would go again if I was in the neighborhood and with someone else who wanted to go. I would order the veggie burger. If it was amazing I might reconsider the 3 stars. If not then I doubt I would ever go again.
(3)Rick H.
Vita has been a decent alternative for when my Vegan wife wants to have more then one or two menu choices and is tired of dealing with my decidedly pro-carnivore eating habits. In the past I have never really been impressed with them. I've had a variety of choices from the menu, from the BLT (bacon,) to the Vegan Chili, the Mac and Cheese (vegan,) Nachos (vegan,) Burger (Vegan and Beef,) Seiten Cheese Steak (Vegan,) and the 'Chicken' fried steak (Vegan.) Probably about a dozen visits in total over the years from when they were across the street to their new(er) location. Coincidently Vita is where I was introduced to Portland's own Aardvark Sauce. But today they really redeemed themselves with breakfast. We were headed to the Tin Shed, but arrived after 9am so found a 30+ Minute wait. Being hungry like, now, we kept cruising down Alberta peering in door after door and dodging long lines outside of places like Pine State. Neither of us knew that Vita was opened for breakfast, but decided to stop by after spotting the Open sign, and the lack of a line. I ended up having the Huevos Rancheros, a dish I fell in love with while in San Antonio and being forced to dine in cheap and dirty Mexican Diners. Even with out any beef or chorizo, this turned out to be one of the tastiest versions I've ever had. I can attribute this 100% to the Chili. Now as a Chili, their vegan Chili has always just been kinda "eh." But when covered with some salsa and eggs, it transcends mere inclusion as a gag in a Mel Brooks movie. The Corn Cakes are another great item. It takes a few bites to get around the fact that they're corn meal based, but once you do... holy cow! Them are some good 'cakes. There are several other breakfast menu items too, not to mention the standard eggs/meat/bread platter that you can get just about anywhere. Oh, and even though almond gravy sounds weird, the biscuits and gravy are actually quite good. Speaking of, the Almond Gravy is actually pretty good for breakfast. It doesn't work well on the 'Chicken' Fried Steak though, but on biscuits.... So if you're not 100% Vegan or at least willing to pretend to be, try to hit Vita up for Breakfast and avoid their lunch and dinner.
(4)Tony T.
Came here a few months ago after a coworker recommended it. That's the last time I go with that person's recommendation. I had a Thai noodle dish with a peanut sauce, that was probably my first mistake. Why come here and have Thai noodles? Well, I go to the Cheesecake Factory and get the Thai Chicken Pasta and I love it (not claiming that to be authentic). I was in the mood for something sweet and tangy. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the dish, it tasted like noodles with sprinkled peanuts on it. Ambiance was nice but a pretty typical Portland restaurant type of set up, nothing too crazy. From what I hear, they do have a pretty extensive vegetarian menu so maybe that's why my coworker recommended it. Perhaps that was where I went wrong... I'm a crazy carnivore and I need meat. Some I suppose would love this place because of the selection and options, I did not.
(2)Navi T.
I was hungry when I touched down at PDX and I had to do 3 things - find the place where I'm staying at, rent a bike for the day since mine was in transit from Oakland, and find my roomie. After I picked up my rental bike from Everybody's on 19th and and Going, I met with my roomie and we were roaming Alberta St which almost reminds me of Temescal back home. But enough of that. My roomie for the week is a vegetarian and I'm pretty open minded to that. I'm a pretty indecisive person but after roaming the streets for a while, we settled on Vita. And I think we made a fine choice. He had the vegan Reuben, I had the vegetarian cheesesteak with a side of fries to share. I can't speak for my friend, but my veggie cheesesteak was pretty damn good, how the seitan was prepared gave it a indistinguishable taste and feel like the real thing. I got almost reminded of a certain one I've enjoyed at Bender's in the Mission. The fries were good but nothing to write home about. We washed it down with a Ninkasi ale of which I don't remember. And the total for 2 with beer and NO TAX was around $21. Well done.
(4)Shantesh P.
if you have those days where you cant have meat but wish you could have meat... Vita cafe is a good option. Chicken fried steak was delicious, satisfying. Buffalo tofu wrap was also worth trying out. The ambience was a cool hangout place for meeting friends and something unusual for Portland Visitors. I highly recommend!
(5)Veronica D.
We stopped in for a light dinner, got the vegan veggie burgers. I got mine with mushrooms and onions. It actually tastes like a burger because of the ketchup and pickles I noticed, so I'm sure even omnis would like this burger. I really liked adding the mushrooms and onions to the burger. It improved the taste. They could be sautéed in some sort of flavouring though to be even better. I was surprised all the desserts were vegan, they didn't label them as such. We tried the vegan carrot cake, because I'd never see vegan carrot cake before. The cake was pretty good, had nice flavour, was moist had some raisins, but the icing was too much. It was like a buttery sugar icing and really thick and rich. Looks nice, not nice to eat. It gave me a sugar headache. I regretted eating that cake immediately after. I would skip the dessert next time, too much of a fat and sugar bomb personally. They have a lot of stuff on their menu, I would probably return to check out something else. There's so many similar vegetarianish restaurants here though it's hard to tell from the menu who would be the best.
(4)Miss L.
After I pulled a hair our of my mouth, my husband spit out a huge chunk of clear, sharp plastic. No joke. I had the grossness of disentangling the hair from my food and mouth, and my husband, at the same time, had some sharp industrial plastic in his food. Other than that, the food's mediocre at best.
(1)Kelsey J.
I've been to Vita Cafe twice for breakfast and was satisfied both times. The first time I ordered the Mexican-style corn cake which was delicious--made with roasted red peppers and topped with guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream. I normally don't like vegan sour cream because it tastes too much like the real thing--but this had a mild nutty flavor and didn't taste like it came from a package. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables, which were an excellent addition. I tasted the H.O.G. (Herb and Onion bread with vegan almond Gravy) my friend ordered, which was good also--and a half order was only $3! The second time I ordered steamed vegetables with lemon-tahini sauce on the side. The veggies were a mix of broccoli, purple cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower if I recall correctly. Neither too mushy nor overcooked; tasted great and even better with the lemon-tahini sauce (which is not on the breakfast menu; I ordered it off the lunch menu even though they hadn't begun serving lunch yet). It was cool that our server could accommodate this request. In general the service wasn't bad--a little inattentive when we wanted the check, but nothing to get upset about. Additional Pros: Good coffee, breakfast served until 3pm, lunch from 11am, and open late (until 10pm). Half orders/smaller portions are an option for the salads and soups, and also for a few of the breakfast items.
(4)Dr. Bridghid M.
Plenty of options here for everyone. The staff are all great.
(5)Devon D.
Revised review: the menu options are still great. The food is usually delish, though I did witness a friend's burger come out looking and tasting like a charcoal briquette with no offers of a replacement meal forthcoming by the surly waitress. Overall, the service is pretty sub-standard. A few of their people are hardworking folks who know what it means to work in the service industry; the rest leave a lot to be desired. Pity they pool the tips.
(2)Lilac L.
We came to Vita's for dinner following an afternoon cask fest, some of us over-sunned from the long walk over, some of us 1 beer too many, and one of us fresh from the tattoo parlour. We got exactly what we wanted at the time. What did we all want? We wanted vegan choices. We wanted comfort food. We wanted to relax and be casual. Feeling indecisive, I ordered a side kale salad, a side of mashed potatoes with almond gravy, and a cup of Thai coconut soup (the focaccia bread slice was soooooo good). All good. Try the Buffalo Things! My partner ordered them and I hesitated being excited about them at first, feeling like I was reaching my fill of fake meat for the weekend, but while the Buffalo Things emulate the bright orange colour and unique seasoning of buffalo wings, they are essentially long rectangles of tofu served with vegan ranch dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a little for a table. We came during dinner rush and had to wait 5-10 minutes. Not bad at all, considering how amazing the food is.
(5)Lizzy P.
So much to choose from as a gluten free vegetarian! I got Tempeh chicken fried steak and it was great! Super cute neighborhood. Would love to return again when I find myself in Portland :)
(5)Crystal R.
I am so jealous of Portlanders and the plethora of vegan breakfast options that await them even on weekdays. Vita Cafe has a great vegetarian and vegan friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner array. I have been twice for breakfast and was not disappointed. The almond gravy is soooo good. I've had it on the country fried tempeh and on perfect vegan biscuits and it is delicious! I almost ordered the country fried tempeh on my second visit, but wanted something that felt a little more healthy, so I ordered the Denver tofu scramble with potatoes and it too was great. I love that their tofu scramble is cubed tofu and not a tofu mush like most places I order it at. Between Vita and Juniors, I wish I could fly to Portland whenever my friends want to do brunch. St. Pete is seriously lacking in vegan breakfast options.
(5)Amy L.
Great vegan bar and comfort food. What more can I say. When my craving for greasy food hits I'd return here again and again. My favorites are the faux turkey reuben. Great selection of microbrews. Nice dessert selection Cons: Service a bit slow
(4)Dana G.
Had a surprisingly nice dinner at Vita with a group of six! Waiter suggested lasagna (couldn't make up my mind - too many good looking, healthy looking vegetarian options) It arrived with a little side salad (sweet!) Tasted a delicious glass of sangria (maybe should have ordered one) Two pitchers of water on the table, No sign of grumpiness when we were last to leave, And the carrot cake slice was widely loved and shared.
(4)Paige Z.
This is good if you are a vegan. They make the most delicious vegan comfort food. They also sell really delicious vegan desserts
(5)Aaron P.
As many of the other reviews have already mentioned, the staff at Vita Cafe are not the most efficient and organized bunch. I went with three other people on a Saturday evening so it was pretty busy. We waited about 20 min for a table, which was not so bad for a Saturday night. The annoying thing was that there was an empty table for four open for 10 min before someone finally realized they could put us there. They have a good sized menu that can accommodate most peoples dietary needs which is awesome. The prices are also decent. I wasn't blown away by any of the food but it was good for what it was. I would consider going back sometime.
(3)Jade B.
Adore this spot and just about everything I have tried (many many things).
(5)Gabrielle H.
Day 20 of my 21 day Daniel Fast was so extra special, so extra crunchy, and so extra spicy because of my visit to Vita Cafe! One of my best girlfriends and I headed there to accommodate my rather limited diet, and even though she's a full on carnivore, we both left with very full tummies and happy hearts! I ordered the BBQ Tofu Wrap with extra buffalo sauce on the side & a small order of Thai coconut curry soup. My friend ordered the "Chicken" fried steak (it was actually seitan!) with mashed potatoes and a delectable almond gravy. We had an absolute food blast! The ambience is casual, chill and the service is top notch. I hear they have rockin raw/vegan desserts too! That was the day I fell in live with PDX, and oh I can't wait for my return...
(5)Jessica Y.
I am not a vegetarian... or a vegan... not even close. BUT I have nothing against people who are, and I am also a big fan of tofu. I was perusing the Albert District on a Sunday, and had some time to eat lunch. Vita Cafe caught my eye on Yelp due to the great reviews (don't accidentally go to Caffe Vita... which I did, and ran out of). Once I arrived, there was really nooone guiding me where to go. I figured out (monkey see, monkey do) that guests have to sign in themselves (no real host/hostess). It seemed like there were a lot of empty spots at the bar before I got seated (party of 1). Anyway, I finally got my seat, and I ordered the buffalo wrap, and man - it was tasty! I mean, I could totally tell that it wasn't chicken, but I did not mind one bit. I would love to go back and try some of their other items. I can see why this is a favorite spot; would've gotten 4 stars if it hadn't been for the spotty service at the door.
(3)Ellie B.
Holy seitan, I love this place. We came for a late lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the buffalo tofu wrap and keep wishing I could have it every day. Now that I am 1700 miles away, I might have to try to make a version at home. Sigh. I also ordered the Ginger Rogers drink - it is minty, gingery goodness. My Greek salad was good but my friend's Caesar was even better. The staff was friendly and attentive and checked in on us at the right moments while also being unobtrusive.
(4)Christa D.
I love this quirky place. We drive down from Seattle and our first restaurant we go to is Vita Cafe. The drinks are great and I love the fish sandwich, which is breaded tofu and is so yummy. The fries are awesome! We usually end up going here a few times on our trips because it is so good. Breakfast is also great.
(5)Olivia T.
We had buy 1 entree get 1 entree 50% off coupon from Chinook Book. We decided to try this place for dinner. There were family with kids and apparently kids eat free there. I think that's super cool. We got a table right away. I ordered the Vegan burger and Jesse ordered a Buffalo Cikin wrap. Our food were good. Nothing special, but nothing bad. Their fries are steak fries style and just my personal choice, I love the skinny fries better than the steak fries. Good food. Good service. The three stars sums it up. It's A-Ok place. Nothing stand outs, but sometimes it doesn't need to.
(3)Tim A.
Oh my, the Lasagna is so fine. I love to dine out where I have several choices on the menu, and this place has that. My wife loves the Thai Coconut soup and the super grain salad. Their corn muffins are really good.
(5)Dylan R.
Vegan gluten free chicken fried steak is amazing as are the corn cakes. Sometimes the service is kinda rough, in that typical Portland way so I haven't left too offended. I wish places would ditch Stumptown for some of the other great coffee roasters around. I wanted to give three stars in acknowledgement for some of the service experiences but the food is so good and the service is ok most of the time and not terribly offensive so four it is.
(4)Misha A.
Yummy, but about what I'd expect in Seattle -- including margarine that had butter in it. Still happy with the "chicken"-fried tempeh and spoonsful from a friend's bowl of rice porridge.
(4)Kpc S.
I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant whatsoever. Their food / vegan options were amazing and the servers were very nice. Highly recommend them!
(5)Molly C.
I visited the Vita Café because they offer vegan and non-vegan food and both are prepared well. I like the large selection of items on the menu. The vegan biscuits and gravy were every bit as good as any non-vegan, I have to say I was pretty amazed at how good the vegan food was! My daughter had the biscuits and gravy and the mac n cheese and my husband and I had burgers. Everything was great, our server was friendly and efficient. We will be back again! I almost forgot! They make the most delicious and beautiful desserts. The vegan peanut butter chocolate cheesecake was to DIE for!!
(5)S V.
Large, delicious menu. Wicked deals on Tuesdays!!! An absolutely amazing buffalo tofu wrap!! Great servers and good breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)Inna B.
This might sound crazy, but I *love* my Campbell's tomato juice, and this is just the tomato juice they serve. THANK YOU! I was in Portland and we were looking for a vegan/gluten-free friendly breakfast joint. This is the spot that stood out for having both of those options, so this is where we went. It was quite busy at about noon on Sunday morning (also Mother's Day), but we were able to get a spot at the bar (or a table, it was our choice) in about 5 minutes. To drink he had the fruity smoothie with tofu, which was pretty good, and I had two glasses of tomato juice. I love that stuff! From my first sip I was pretty sure it was my favorite kind (Campbell's), and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the waitress pour two cans into my second glass. We both had the PDX breakfast with tempeh (instead of egg or tofu). He had brown rice and a gluten-free corn(?) bread as his side and bread, and I had the potatoes and sourdough. The tempeh and potatoes were pretty tasty (I enjoyed their hot sauce option!), and rather similar looking. It was pretty strange to me to get a plate of what looked like almost all one thing. I still got really full, though, and really enjoyed that sourdough toast. I'm not sure why exactly, but it was quite possibly the best tasting sourdough I've ever tried. We also got a side of veggie patties, which kind of reminded me of falafel. They were a bit crispy/hard, but pretty good. Our total before tip was about $21. The waitress we had didn't seem very friendly or interested in us, but she took our order and brought us food, so I guess she did her part. I'd definitely go back again, and would love to try their lunch options!
(4)Rob C.
I've gone to Vita Cafe off and on for a while now, and each time I find that the actual experience is less impressive than memory leads me to believe. It's not bad - especially for a cafe that specializes in vegan and gluten-free food, but it's not as good as it could be. The service is always a little too hipster (i.e., a little too cool for school) and the place itself has a slightly schizo feel to it, as if the staff isn't well trained. Or at least isn't trained in efficiency. The food is decent, especially considering a lot of it seems made in-house. The vegan sausage I had was more hockey puck-like than I loved, and the gravy was more like mushroom flavored glue. But their Thai corn cakes were pretty killer, and the coffee is nice and strong. However, last time I checked, salt and most spices are vegan/GF, so feel free to use a little more. I do appreciate having vegetarian-friendly options for breakfast (not there's anything wrong with bacon), and this will remain on my "maybe" list for the future.
(3)emily r.
I am sorry Vita Cafe. I have to average my past 5 star experiences and the 1 star experience I had the other night. The lasagna is AMAZING. Get it with both red sauce and pesto sauce. SUPER GOOD. The fries are wonderful. Get them seasoned! Super good drinks. But the other night, I ventured from my usual meal. I had vegan macaroni, and I have to say... it was absolutely inedible. The noodles were so overcooked they were mushy and the sauce tasted like someone threw a bunch of the overcooked noodles in a blender and poured them over the top. I almost sent it back, but we couldn't get the attention of our waitress... so. yeah. i just pushed it around on my plate and it was packed up to go before I could say "no!" Vegan mac and cheese can be really good if done right. I was really disappointed. Also, our service the other night was terrible. I was really sad because I brought my brother there to show him one of my fave restaurants. blah. I will still go back to Vita Cafe, but maybe I won't bring guests there, and I'll stick with my regular meal.
(3)Anneka N.
This was my first nearly-vegan restaurant experience, and I really enjoyed it! The food and drinks were fun and delicious, and my boyfriend and I noticed lots on the menu that we want to go back to try. I should mention that until a little over a month ago he was a staunch meat-eater, but he got really excited about Vita's menu, and about his dinner in particular (fajita plate). Food and drinks are really reasonably priced, and good all around. Ambience is relaxed and artsy. Service, like others have pointed out, is not great. They don't greet you at the door, but instead have you write your name down on a waiting list, which is fine. But, I don't think a single person checked the list for the next 15 minutes, even though there were several couples waiting, and several open tables! It seemed like the staff chose to clean or set up the vacant tables only when they felt like it, doing a little here and there, then taking a break to take some orders and chat with guests who were already seated. This whole thing was mildly annoying, and probably sounds like a bigger deal than it actually was. Once we were actually seated, our server was great.
(4)Mary G.
Best breakfast ever! I drive at least twenty minutes just to come out here and I am never disappointed. The staff rocks. The atmosphere is comforting while all the while relaxing and inviting. And the menu is full and plenty with amazing food just waiting to be had.What can I say, these guys have their shit together and they are ready to serve you nonstop awesomeness. Thanks for being here Vita Cafe!
(5)Joe J.
I am religiously an omnivore, but, have to say, I had a great visit. It was a hangover Saturday, but, my meal (brunch special of corn cakes with SW style toppings platter) was awesome. It was quite memorable. I'll definitely return.
(4)Madeline W.
I have been to the Vita Cafe many time over the past five years. I like that you can get healthy food and there are vegan, gluten fee, and traditional options. My favorite breakfast is the New Years Breakfast with a delicious corn cake and veggies. I went yesterday and I was very frustrated with the service and quality of food. My wife ordered the 2,2,2 breakfast and wanted to sub fruit cup for the French toast. The server said this would be too expensive and he would have to add to the price of the meal. So she got a tiny pile of plain scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and a small fruit cup with pineapple and grapes for $11.50 instead of the regular price of $9. I thought that was appalling.
(3)Linda C.
Went there to meet up with friends over Sunday lunch. They are vegan and we are vegetarian so figured this place provided us all with lots of good options. The interior decor is laid back and casual with plenty of seating, and large windows across the front. The waitress who took our drinks order was polite but not very friendly and she didn't offer a smile. I ordered the Vita herbal tea and hubby ordered an IPA. Both were fine (well I think he enjoyed his a little more than I did mine). We ordered a Thai Corn Cake to share as a starter (sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup) which was interesting...kind of like a grits pancake but a little sweeter. It was big enough that we shared with all four of us. Next up, I ordered the Vegan Club Sandwich (organic tempeh 'fakin', homemade faux turkey, vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread) and hubby ordered the Greek Scramble (feta cheese, spinach, tomato and red onion). Hubby said his was nice, nothing special but enjoyable. I devoured my Club Sandwich - although messy to eat, it was really tasty. Overall, I think we'd venture back again sometime since there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.
(3)Dani G.
Very delicious cocktails and food. I ate the Buffalo wrap and club sandwich. Both were very tasty. They have a habanero margarita that is on point. All of their cakes look delicious but I was too full to try a slice. The red velvet and black forest looked the best. I'm not usually into meat substitutes but the meat on the club was so freaking good. The service is fast, friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back.
(4)Wolf L.
It's been a while since I actually got up and left a restaurant because it was taking so long to get some service. Arrived for breakfast and they weren't exceptionally busy. I got a cup of coffee when we were seated but 25 minutes later, no one had taken our order. People who arrived AFTER we did were getting their orders in and I was starting to get grouchy. My wife tried to wave a waiter down but was ignored. I guess we just didn't have enough tatts or something. Well, I had a wallet full of cash and I walked out the door without leaving any of it in Vita Cafe's register. I guess they're so rolling in dough that they don't need my cash. I did plunk down a couple of bucks for the coffee. We will never return. I'll also never patronize that new vegetarian place they opened next door, and I'll tell everyone I know to avoid this f**king place like the plague. Oh, yeah, then there's this well-deserved one star review. BOO-YAH!
(1)Suzy K.
Fabulous menu for a vegetarian cafe! Excellent faux buffalo chicken, salads, soup, sandwiches - everything we had was delicious. Very nice, comfortable location and decor. We will definitely stop in again next time we are in Portland. Absolutely! But - only 4 starts because the servers seemed a bit .... not put out, I can't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't that they were snooty - maybe it was that the customer was kind of an afterthought? I don't know - we waited a long time for someone to come by and clear our table, we were waiting to ask for containers to take our leftovers. Then we waited a long time for the check to come (and it was not because the place was very busy). They were very nice when they came to the table - it was just as if they were getting around to remembering we were there - and it appeared the same for the other few tables of people in the joint. Really just a delicious dinner though!
(4)Suzann B.
I hate waiting for no reason. You can watch the staff talk. They don't even bother with iced pitchered water, they bring over a pitcher of warm water and leave it. Like, why even tip, these people are not servers. The food is really like 3 different items served in three different ways over and over. I would rank it worse but its not that bad, and it really is what it looks like. Don't go here unless you are so cool you hate good customer service.
(3)Loli L.
I almost made my doctor proud with my breakfast. I got the Vita scramble and loved it! I can never get enough veggies in the morning and for once I got them without having to peel off any disgusting avocado*. My eggs were happily cage-free (which always amuses my mom) and when it came down to pick either brown rice or potatoes, I had to go with the potatoes. Sorry, doc. It was so good! -and super reasonably priced. * My thoughts on avocados: yelp.com/biz/avocados-sa…
(4)Katie M.
I love going to restaurants that can accommodate vegans/vegetarians, meat-eaters, and gluten-free folks. No-one has to compromise, everyone leaves happy. Vita is such a place, and the food and service are awesome. There are options for everyone-- not just one gluten-free or vegan dish, but several to choose from. Even when they're busy, service is typically fast and food comes out quickly. The servers are friendly and welcoming and quick to top off your bottomless coffee. This is a great place to take out-of-town visitors, as there is a definite "Portland" vibe without being pretentious or annoying.
(4)Ainsley D.
I've been on the hunt for vegetarian soul food/southern comfort and it has been a struggle. While visiting Portland a friend had mentioned that Vita did some sort of "chicken" fried steak... First we had the buffalo things and they were the best hot wings I've had the pleasure of eating. For dinner I got the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy, but opted for their awesome fries instead of mashed potatoes. Delish!
(4)Stuart F.
Vita Cafe is another establishment I visited in a short trip to Portland that makes an incredibly strong case for uprooting my life on the east coast and moving to this vegan utopia. Loved all the vegan options.
(5)Ellen G.
I love any place where I can order anything on the menu. They do really solid fake meat here. The food never blows me away, but is reliably tasty and well-priced. Bonus: This is one of few places on Alberta where you can be seated promptly. Leave the Tin Shed for slow weekdays and come here on the weekend instead.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Granted I have only been there twice and haven't tried many of the food options other then the vegan biscuits and gravy and the chicken fried steak, but i must say they were both absolutely delicious. I didn't know you could even make things vegan this good. The service was friendly and chill. I like places like this with a chill vibe and a good food. definitely my favorite place in portland and will definitely come back for a visit.
(5)Matthew S.
One of the best vegan/vegetarian menus in town. The seitan cheesesteak is everything it should be. I recently had the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and went back the next day because it was SO GOOD. The only thing that's a little disappointing is the fries: they're a little mushy for me. I usually get takeaway, but the staff are pretty good about getting stuff done. I've always had a pleasant experience here.
(5)Rebecca R.
We had out last Portland dinner here, and it was wonderful. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the menu is very diverse, and really offers something for everyone. We started with the buffalo "things" with vegan ranch, and they were SO good. My fiance isn't even a vegetarian, and I had to fight him for the last one (not really). He got the biscuits and gravy as an entree, which was a very generous portion, and I got the "chicken fried steak," which was tempeh served with mashed potatoes and all covered in the same gravy as his. This is where I wasn't as impressed. The gravy wasn't especially flavorful, nor was my tempeh. I would have liked a little more kick or something. All in all, a good experience, though, worthy of the 4 stars.
(4)Andy B.
Don't let the casual decor and laid back atmosphere deter you- it fits right in with Alberta. Being a vegetarian, I'm glad I read the menu thoroughly because almost every dish has a vegetarian option. From the BLT to buffalo "wings" appetizer. Ask the server for any suggestions or any questions- they are friendly and are honest and knowledgeable. Vita is definitely in my short list of restaurants to repeat soon. Thanks!
(4)Richard M.
I used to go to Vita fairly regularly years ago, and just fell out of habit for whatever reason. I returned today and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if I forgot how delicious everything was, or if they've fine-tuned their recipes, but each dish was impressive!
(5)Katelynn P.
Great vegan cheeseburger and delicious mojito! Server was friendly but a little distracted. Only waited a bit for a table at 7:30 on a Friday night! Open air feeling but not super noisy. I noticed they had highchairs but active children might have trouble as there is not much space to roam without being right in the way.
(4)Brian B.
Top 3 vegetarian/vegan food in town. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all great. Best vegetarian chicken fried steak I have ever had.
(5)Aaron W.
I ordered the Seitan Cheese Steak ($7.50): sliced seitan (meat substitute) with sauteed peppers, sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, and melted pepper jack cheese on a baguette. All in all, a very good "cheesesteak." The seitan was moist and tender, a lovely substitute for the usual ribeye or top-round meat that a traditional cheesesteak would have. The sauteed vegetables were cooked perfectly, retaining a little crunch for a nice texture contrast. The pepper jack cheese provided the must-have gooey awesomeness in this sandwich. Nice flavors all around. For me, though, I felt this sandwich did not have enough filling...more seitan, cheese, and sauteed veggies, please! I also did not see a hot sauce option on Vita Cafe's menu, which could have added more dimension here (perhaps I'll ask or look harder next time). A good meal with good service, just not a mind-blowing experience.
(3)Logan T.
The sad thing about this review is that the food was actually great, especially as a gluten free non-meat eater; however, our server made an ass out himself and destroyed my image of the meal. When he wouldn't put bacon in my friends' burrito, but couldn't provide a good explanation (just kept saying he couldn't), I knew we were off to a rough start. Then his kitchen forgot the toast for his meal until he'd almost finished the breakfast, rendering it useless. He also never came back to see how we were doing, a pet peeve of mine. By the end of the meal I wasn't thrilled about the experience, so we decided not to leave a tip since he hadn't earned it. How did he react? Well instead of taking this life lesson as a chance to improve, he ran after us as we left the restaurant demanding a tip. When we said he didn't earn it, he yelled at us and said to never come back...all in front of his staff and customers, yelling that "I don't work for free!" forgetting that we know he doesn't, minimum wage is still paid to him. I suggest that he look for non-tipping jobs if he's going to get so upset when he's called out for not being good at his job. Overall, good food bordering on great food, but TERRIBLE service if your waiter is a greasy haired whiner.
(1)Daniel H.
I may have to give these guys another chance. I wasn't terribly impressed with my first trip. Went with my girlfriend here to meet some friends. Ordered the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy. Had almond gravy several times before but this was pretty bland. The steak was decent and the potatoes were good...just wished they had topped it better. And the prices were quite steep, even without fries or any other sides. Plus my stomach didn't feel so great following the dinner. Who knows for sure if Vita was the cause of that, but like I said, I may have to try again. Service was very friendly though and the place was clean and well-decorated.
(3)Marcia S.
My Mexican Scramble was great, and the Nachos even met approval of a very fussy 13 year old BUT the Hamburger that was served to one of my guests was mouth dropping eye opening insulting! The patty was not much bigger than a frozen Jimmy dean sausage and I was not aware that they make buns that small, keep in mind I eat out 7 days a week due to my work. When I looked at the bill and saw that THAT plate with not even a chip was 8.00 I felt insulted. Very trendy, great service and what the Chef does well they do very well but if you want an all American Burger do NOT go there. Unfortunately the day we were there my son's pants were wet from the toilet leaking. As I said, what they do well it is great but they are having some growing pains!
(3)Dave B.
As a person who travel a lot for work, I'm always on the lookout for a good Vegan meal. While in Portland this week I happened upon Vita Cafe. What an awesome little place. I ended up eating here two nights in a row for dinner, and even squeezed in a business lunch. The atmosphere is pretty casual and locals rule the joint, but I totally felt welcome. The food has been absolutely fantastic. If you are a starter type person, I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Things. These are the closest I've has to the "real" thing, and I loved them. For the dinners I've ordered the specials both nights. First was One Giant Burrito. It was stuffed with vegan chorizo and a little bit of love. Tonight was the veggie pot pie. Yummy! Both came in at $10 and the portions were humongous. At my lunch meeting I opted for the Cheez Steak sandwich. Pretty incredible in itself. Anyhow, food is delicious, portions are huge, and atmosphere is great. I'd give it five stars anytime and it'll be a regular stop for me every trip to Portland.
(5)Juniper K.
So much yummy! They have great food that is gluten free and vegan and they have natural sodas, and yummy desserts, and the servers are generally friendly! The art is kinda silly sometimes. I really enjoy it and would recommend.
(4)Margaret R.
One of my favorite dinner spots in Portland. They have great options and even a couple with meat choices for non-vegetarian friends. My favorite is the vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with almond gravy! I miss old-fashioned comfort food and this is my vegetarian version of it! The service is great and the wait is never too long.
(5)Kedar D.
Vita Cafe has a cool vibe and feels like a rustic diner where you could chill with friends, get a beer or a cup of coffee, and talk about life. It's a laid-back joint. I wasn't impressed with the food, however. I had a half order of vegan french toast ($3.50), a Denver tofu scramble ($8) and also tried a few bites of my friend's vegan biscuits and gravy ($5). First, the french toast was not good. While I like that the bread had heft (as opposed to being made with sandwich bread, they make it with sourdough at Vita), the bread itself was too sour for my likes. The syrup didn't help much. Also, the texture of the bread came across as chewy, rather than moist and fluffy. The tofu scramble was really basic: tofu, seitan, bell peppers and onions sauteed in oil and served with some fried potatoes and toast. The scramble itself could have used more spices (maybe I ordered the wrong one? they had multiple scramble offerings) an the portion size wasn't particularly large; most of the calories seemed to come from the potatoes. I loved the spelt toast, however. My friend's biscuits and gravy were okay, but not the best I've ever had. For one thing, the biscuits were too dense and hard, and not flaky-soft. Also, the almond gravy is a nice bit of experimentation, but as others have noted, mushroom gravies just work better than anything else. Lastly, the dish could have used more scallions and maybe a nice heaping of diced tomatoes just to freshen up the plate and bring out some other flavors. Kudos to Vita for serving loose-leaf teas, by the way. The service was friendly but not particularly fast; we waited at least 15 minutes for our order, which was strange given that there weren't many people in the restaurant. All told, Vita isn't great but I suppose its vibe and solid number of vegan offerings make it a keeper. That said, you can get better vegan brunch foods elsewhere (Sweetpea Bakery comes to mind).
(2)Carlin S.
My favourite breakfast on the Alberta strip by far. TONS of vegan/veg options and really good about the gluten-free thing too! Really friendly staff, and all the food is super fresh and doesn't feel greasy. Have been mostly for breakfast, and love all the tofu scrambles, gluten-free corn muffin, and huevos rancheros. I love this place!
(5)Ludo N.
Tried breakfast at Vita the other day and it just isn't very good. The service was nice but the food just isn't great.
(3)Chericka A.
The Thai coconut ginger corn pancakes with bananas were uniquely pleasing to the palate and a great dish to share. The veggie omelet was equally pleasing and the potatoes that accompanied were perfectly cooked to be crunchy on the outside while staying moist on the inside with just the right amount of salt. Service was slow because the waiter admitted our ticket slipped behind an appliance but we didn't mind the wait. The space was clean, lots of happy, hippy chatter and nice open windows allowed the summer morning air to keep it comfortable and bright.
(5)Randy H.
Vegan chicken fried steak, cool vibe, yummy coffee, rad service. Love it
(4)Jared Z.
this place has amazing homestyle greasy spoon style vegan food, soooo good. get the "chicken" fried seitan with mushroom gravy
(5)Sarah M.
Oh, YUM. Vita is where it's at... I moved away from Portland not too long ago, so I write these reviews as a way of reminiscing when I get hungry, it's kind of sad but enjoyable. Every sammich on the menu is delectable, but especially the Fishwich. Although I haven't had "Cold Veggie Wrap", just cause I never go for things like that... As for starters, the Buffalo/BBQ Thangs are hot and spicy with a punch, just how I like it. I will stop there because I could go on and on. Oh, beware: on First Thursday they are crazy busy and only serve a selection of things off the menu (or at least this was the case last year). This can be disappointing if you travel an hour from SE Portland to eat dinner with high hopes of a full menu... lesson learned.
(5)Sherlock H.
I wanted to check this place out since it was featured as a food place on the northwest vegetarian web site. I'm no longer a vegetarian, but do enjoy finding places that offer good veg options in case I want to scale back on meat. This isn't the place. First of all, the interior is pretty bohemian in style, not exactly a decor that makes one think of cleanliness, especially given the little flies hovering over the tables. I got the tempeh "chicken fried steak" meal, and it was pretty bad. Tasted like deep fried cardboard. The mashed potatoes that came with it were bland as well. The clientele at the place seemed to be throwbacks from the 60s, not that it affects my meal, but it gives you an idea of the type of people who likely find this to be a good place. I also ordered a salad with spicy shrimp. The salad was brought out at the same time as my meal which suprised me, and the shrimp were not spicy, again pretty much lacking in flavor. The cook, by the way, has a beard, and that just bugs me to see someone with facial hair leaning over my food. We will never, ever return to this place.
(1)Megan O.
love this place. i've never had anything but good food here, it never disappoints. the vege chicken fried steak is sooo delicious and super hearty. greek tofu scramble, fishwich, mac and chese, blt with fake bacon, biscuits and gravy, it's all yummy. be sure to try their yogi black tea, it has ginger, cardamom and pepper. it's spicy and has a great taste. you may have to wait a bit to get a table, but just grab a paper and be patient.
(4)Christina C.
Great menu selection, awesome food. Cute back patio with bocce ball. Reasonable prices, I was impressed.
(5)Ananda R.
Yes Indeed! A great place for veggie fare! The fake BLT is SO DAMN GOOD, and the lemon grass veggie thing is most awesome, AND they have Sangria.... a spicy take on an original idea!!! XOXO PS the Patio Rocks with the bocce ball!!
(4)Neal W.
I love Vita Cafe! What a great vibe this place has! The food is always very good, but not enough for a five star rating in my opinion. Still, I love it. The back patio is the place to be if you go. It's beautiful out there. I love the mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meateater options here. I'm a veggie, but I can bring my vegan and omni friends here too! Always the most fun after Last Thursdays!
(4)Kate S.
So, maybe my 5 stars is a little on the naive side as I am new to vegan cuisine, but that day it couldn't have gotten much better. My friend and I, a recent vegan convert decided to give this place a whirl on a beautiful sunny weekday afternoon. We were seated outside in their spacious patio and the server was very friendly and helpful. My friend got the tofu buffalo wrap and hesitantly, I got the nachos. Que rico is all I can say! The buffalo wrap was TO DIE FOR and the nachos were equally tasty. They have vegan happy hour and a great vegan dessert selection. Maybe it was a combination of the weather, my company or trying new cuisine, but Vita Cafe had me thinking go vegan or go home by the time we left!
(5)carly s.
Vita has gotten a whole lot better in the past year or so. The vegan breakfast options aren't the best and the guacamole tastes like it comes pre-made but the specials, tofu buffalo wrap and onion and herb bread are awesome. Most of the servers are nice and helpful.
(3)Kelly R.
Vita Cafe is a regular spot for a close group of friends of mine in the NE area. That being said I find myself there more than I'd ever though I would and I have to say. I have never been disappointed. The food options here are plentiful for both vegans and vegetarians alike. Not to mention the quantities are along the lines of comfort food. Vegan Comfort food? Need I say more? Go check it out, bring a couple friends and an appetite. Friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere make this place a great "I drank too much last night" stop in the early morning, and an all around great place to make eats happen.
(4)F. Explora L.
the buffalo chicken wrap was delicious! nice n' spicy too!
(5)Arnie Lewis T.
Gosh, I don't have much to say....it's okay, but not super fantastic. I've been many times (in the old location across the street) and have always enjoyed. But last night was definitely lackluster. Service lacked and I felt like spending $30 for burger/fries, Mac & Cheese, and two happy hour beers was way too much. I was having a hard time coming up with something REALLY delicious and yummy off of their Last Thursday special menu....something was missing. So, I'm not sure I'll be back. There are so many choices in Portland and along Alberta -- and this has definitely moved down a few notches for me.
(2)Valerie F.
I've heard great things about this place & couldn't wait to try it. The first time I went I ordered the turkey club or something (came with turkey, bacon, guacamole, tomato) My friend said she would have the same. The waitress brought us BLTs. We told her that's not what we ordered & since the only difference was the turkey & guacamole she said she would bring it out. About 15 minutes later we got it. (The sandwich was actually very good) Accidents happen no big deal. I went there again a few months later & ordered the breakfast burrito. I don't what they ended up giving me because there was broccoli & carrots in it. I have never heard of a breakfast burrito like that. Sadly, I didn't notice it until I got home because it was pretty damn flavorless to begin with. The waitress acted like her shit didn't stink like a typical Portland hipster. She also rushed to bring us our check without even asking if we wanted desert (which my friend did). Considering both times I've gone my order has gotten screwed up I don't see any reason to go back.
(1)Aaron R.
Went back, specifically for the Vegan Mac-n-Cheese, and it was YUM once again. I totally missed their move across the street, though -- when I got there, it was a mix of vertigo and deja vu dealing with the fact that they moved directly across the street. I like the new space, though -- not quite as loud. Oh, and if you go on Wednesday nights, they have cheap eats for $5: Mac and Cheese, Fishwiches and more.
(5)Abe I.
Vita still has a lot to work out, (their tempeh would be better suited as a sponge), but the stand out biscuits and gravy, and nachos are always great. Also the desserts are absolutely killer, and their eclectic menu (eastern, italian, veggie, and meat options among other things) can usually keep any mix happy, and the decor is welcoming and clean. But all in all, the Vita is like a drunk preacher, and their sermons of delicious veggie food sometimes fall flat. Also, I should mention, the service is usually pretty bad, tables get ignored and orders get forgotten constantly.
(2)Heidi C.
I visited the Vita when I was checking out PDX to see if I wanted to move here and it was one of the factors that convinced me that it was the right move. As a vegetarian from Omaha, NE this place was heaven. The chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and almond gravy is one of my favorites, although it is coma inducing. Lately I've been enjoying their soup of the day that they serve with herb and onion bread. I'm highly addicted to that bread... so good. The seitan cheese steak is amazing, I wish they served it for lunch. So many great dishes. My only complaint are the wooden booths. I find them seriously uncomfortable. When I'm dining with friends it gets really distracting. Aside from the seating I highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.
(4)Kathy T.
I wa not imressed. I was really looking forward to going there while traveling through PDX but it was a disappointment. The almond gravey was really not good at all! The biscuits were left over from who knows when. The wait staff was nice enough but the food was not very good. My partners food was good enough so i ate some of his. The corn cakes were good but dont try the gravy!
(1)audrey y.
Vita Cafe is one of the few "safe" places for my son to eat at, since he has major food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts). The staff is extremely knowledgeable about the ingredients and won't hesitate to check with the kitchen about ingredients. The savory kids' mac n' cheese is his favorite (love that the after 5PM kids menu is only $1/dish!), while my daughter prefers the pasta with red sauce and parmesan cheese. I like how they don't "dumb down" the kids menu, but rather offer just smaller portions of what the grown-ups enjoy :). While the pasta isn't going to beat out a "pasta" restaurant (and the same thing with one of their burgers vs. a "burger" restaurant..you get the idea), you gotta give credit where credit is due - they do a very decent job under one roof of tasty, vegan food. The winners in our book are the lasagna (ask for both the red and the pesto sauce!), the thai coconut soup (you can have a little brown rice thrown in there for substance), and the tempeh/tofu fries. The bread that accompanies the soup just rocks. And the vegan dessert selection is great too...try the chocolate mint cake, or the oatmeal cranberry cake! Minus a star because, well, it's not the cleanest joint. I'm a little leery of the toys in the communal toy bin and the floors under the booth...let's say you don't want to have your kids hanging out there too long, looking for crayons. But, hey, what's a little dirt? And germs build up your immune system! Otherwise, great job and thanks for making little kids who can't eat dairy and eggs have a fun, safe place to eat!
(4)R S.
Want to love them, but I'm never quite there. Loved them more at the old location. The new menu items (like he sloppy biscuit-- egg gravy and cheese open face on a biscuit, vegan version available) are very strong-- maybe strong enough to make up for the loss of lived in ambiance. I think what holds me back is that (sorry) some of the items remain a little blander than expected--but anything with gravy or tartar sauce, vegan hollandaise, coconut, etc. will be sure to be tasty. So if you order right its five stars-- and if you have one thing you don't like, don't fail to go back.
(4)Maria L.
A reliably consistent place to get tempeh BLT's. Nice people too.
(3)Mikaela S.
I've been trying to give my self some time to think about vita cafe and try to figure out what it is that put me off. the first time i visited i at breakfast with my friend. we ordered the Thai corn cakes and they were wonderful. we also go a smoothie and scramble and loved every bite. we met a rad mama there in the booth next to us and our waitress was great so of course we wanted to go back. the next time we went for dinner and it started off so well. we knew what we wanted to order and when our waitress came around promptly she leaned in close next to one of the babies sitting highchair who had a small menu and was waving it around. inevitably before we could warn her she got whacked in the eye. we felt terrible and even more so when the waitress ran away and didn't return. we both felt embarrassed and incredibly uncomfortable. a different waitress came back later and we ordered just a small something but didn't feel like eating anymore. we wanted to apologize to the waitress or ask if she was ok. we asked our new waitress how she was doing and she said 'i think she is really hurt'. oh crap we thought, the baby injured the waitress now what? but, as we were leaving our missing waitress made an appearance and apologized, said she was fine and ran off because she was stressed out and in shock but her eye isn't hurt. a huge sigh of relief but still made me uncomfortable. why didn't she come out and say that maybe half hour sooner and spare us the shame? i don't know. but what i do know is that this meal was lacking in flavor and quite uncomfortable.
(3)Rassamee H.
Definitely the vegetarian/vegan's paradise (that is coming from a meat-eater though). Not sure what a certified vege/veg would say. Had a side of fries which was more like a whole meal, needed salt, but not bad. Also ordered a "real" burger (meat), pretty bland, I guess they only season the vegetarian/vegan food. My husband got the salad with different grains (quinoa, etc.) in it. Not his cup of tea either. Our veg friends were happy but after a weekend of tromping from one veg-friendly Portland restaurant to another, I was ready for some meat-friendly food. Luckily I went to a diner in Seattle the next day for some bacon and eggs:)
(3)Rickie Lee T.
I used to think this place was the cat's pajamas, but I understand now that I was dodging the restaurant's mediocrity by ordering the AWESOME Reuben sandwich every damn time I went. The cheese steak is the only other thing that I would recommend. I hate me a veg burger that wants to be meat...there are so many awesome things we can make fake burgers out of (black beans, mushrooms, etc), the fakey-meaty taste of Vita's burger simply will not do! Last time I ordered my staple Mediterranean salad, it came with a new addition: cabbage?!?! Who puts cabbage in a Med salad? I felt kinda bad about saying anything, but when I did the waitress was nice enough to take one of the beers off our tab, so props for that. If you go, order the Reuben!
(3)Julia S.
The waitstaff here is always snotty and borderline rude. They overcharged my pal's card & messed up my order. The food is really hit or miss. But honestly the biggest downer is the obnoxious staff and their inability to smile or be friendly.
(2)Vanessa M.
Sevice can be spotty, but it's a reliable spot, serves the best and healthiest not-so-healthy food (e.g. biscuits and gravy) possible. Plus, they cater to just about every strange and/or restrictive diet possible.
(4)Beth L.
We hadn't been to the Vita in awhile but with family in town and a couple of vegan/vegetarians in the group, we decided to go. The food is just as good as always and we had great service. Our waiter was professional, quick and kind. The food arrived quickly and everything was just right.
(5)Edward J.
I love Vita Cafe. The vegan food is wonderful, though it may take some use to for the meat eaters who never had vegan food. I got the vegan fried chicken steak with gravy, and that was tasty. My boyfriend got the mushroom strognoff pasta, he thought it was alright, could've do perfect with some vegan beef or chicken. My friend from LA (the meat eater) got the fish and chip, now that was a bit disappointing. We expected to be soy fish but it was soft tofu fried with vegan batter. The batter and the fries are good though. We want to try the dessert next time we go. The cake looks so good.
(4)Samantha E.
Not only was the food amazing but our service as prompt, kind and honest. Ashley a great! Not only did she take time out of running a billion tables (the place was packed) to answer our questions about the menu but she was honest about what was good and what was just okay. My Thai coconut soup was out of this world as was the basil dressing for my salad. Good job Vita Cafe and Thank you!!
(5)J B.
best menu in portland for vegetarian
(5)M K.
I love the selection of vegan food they have here. I have tried the vegan ruben, the club sandwich the mac and cheese, and a few of the soups and salads, all of which were awesome. The soup and salad comes with some amazing home made bread that I'm in love with. The service is ok, but the food makes up for it
(5)Surranna V.
I spent a short amount of time in my life as a vegan and I swore by this place. They have great selection of things for vegans and veggies. I would only return if I was with a veg. They also carried some good wines to go with dinner. I dug the atmosphere also.
(5)Bula W.
I'm addicted to the Seitan Stew. Love it. My mouth waters when i think of it (like right now....). Their drinks are also fun, especially during Wednesday's discounts. Kids do run around during happy hour but the place still has a great vibe.
(4)Marcel L.
We popped in here by accident, and since I was in the mood for a burger and fries I definitely didn't try any of their specialties. But the burger was great, although the fries were a bit greasy and soggy. The service was good and they had a few toys for tots. A pleasant repast in a warm environment.
(4)pepper j.
Wonderful food, great in the summer
(5)Jeremy S.
Being new to the neighborhood and having driven by this place, we assumed it was a coffee shop. After having gotten coffee across the street at the Concordia Coffee House, however, and peeking in and seeing people eating food, we came to the conclusion that it is in fact a restaurant (duh). After perusing the menu, we decided to give it a shot. We ended up splitting the Mediterranean tuna steak and the risotto fritters. If there's anything I can complain about here, it;s the service, which, while not horrible, was less than attentive. It was a busy night, so I'll cut them some slack, especially since the food was so good! They goofed and brought our risotto fritters to another table, so our meal was a little backwards (entree first then appetizer), but the tuna was so damn good we didn't really care. And for $9.75?? Seriously, this is a meal that you would expect to pay $16 for and not feel ripped off. It was that good. At $7, the risotto fritters were tasty, but much less bang-for-your-buck awesome. Being not even slightly vegan or vegetarian, there are aspects of this place that annoy me a bit (what if I just want some REAL mac n' cheese??), but overall we would definitely come back here again (if for no other reason than that tuna steak), and their Wednesday night happy hour seems like a great deal - $2 pints of Wolaver's?? Say no more, I'm in!! Edit: We came back for breakfast a few days later and split the "country plate" (or whatever it is). I made a point to ask the waitress how someone like myself who is neither vegan nor vegetarian would react to their "almond gravy". Upon hearing my question, a guy seated at a table behind us piped up and said "well, I'm not vegetarian eigther, but I love it". So, given that endorsement and the generally high caliber of food we've experienced here (see above), we decided to give it a shot. And well, if I had the choice between sausage gravy and almond gravy, I probably wouldn't choose the almond, it was still pretty good, and overall the meal was excellent - and the two of us got filled up for $10 ($9 for the plate and $1 for an extra biscuit)! The waitress was a bit surly again (although once again it was very busy, and for awhile she was the only waitperson there), but I'm willing to deal with it when the food is this good and this cheap!!
(4)kristin e.
All day happy hour on Wednesdays is what I discovered upon being seated which was perfect because I was craving mac-n-cheese (vegan) and saw that during HH, it's $5 instead of $7 and cocktails were $5 (I think) too. I ordered the philly cheese steak (made with seitan) with vegan cheese because I dislike pepperjack cheese (the real cheese option of you order it) and the mac-n-cheese with steamed broccoli added on top. The cheesesteak was pretty tasty but I was a little disappointed with the mac-n-cheese. I was hoping for a nice creamy mac-n-cheese (like the super delicious one featured on vegnews.com ) but it was kinda thin and watery...it'd be more accurate to list it as some kind of pasta dish and not mac-n-cheese. I had the ginger rogers cocktail (kinda like a mojito but with gin and gingerale instead of soda and rum) which sounded good in theory but it wasn't well balanced and tasted too much like gin to taste the hints of mint and ginger.
(4)Kelly M.
Vita used to be owned by the same folks who brought us the Paradox, the cornerstone of Vegan restaurants in southeast. The Vita Cafe, their Northeast endeavor, features similar comfort food tendencies, but with a more sophisticated menu and atmosphere. Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, plus a nice patio and good desserts.
(4)Valerie W.
The moment I stepped into this cafe, I knew I liked it. The atmosphere gave off a laidback and unique vibe, which was a good start. I loved the variety of options on the menu. I tried the Vegan Mac 'n Cheese, which I know is not terribly exciting, but I wanted to see how the flavor compared with regular mac 'n cheese. It was quite tasty. My two friends ordered the Thai Pasta and Italian Pasta, both of which were delicious and flavorful (of course I had to try them). The "sausage" in the Italian Pasta had a nice bit of spiciness to it. I absolutely love the low prices for most of the dishes. The night we went, my mac 'n cheese only cost $5, as well as my friend's thai pasta. We also tried the Mint Chocolate Cake for dessert, and it was amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back just for dessert. As other people mentioned, the service was quite slow, but since this was my first visit, it was worth the wait. I will definitely be returning to try some of the other dishes.
(4)TheBeesKnee S.
I want to like the Vita Cafe, but I'm still on the fence. The menu is amazing, the food itself is okay. The problem comes in when they advertise something like homemade seitan and then barely include it. I got the seitan stew and was hoping for a hearty cold-weather meal, but the seitan was in paper-thin strips the width and height of my pinky finger. Disappointed, I turned to my boyfriend to try his Italian pasta, he said he could barely find the homemade sausage. It was crumbled into teeny tiny pieces, and just dusted on the pasta. Come on, guys, give us the good stuff! Give us big chunks of our fake meat!
(3)Reed E.
When people speak of the disdainful attitude of portland servers, they all must have been to the Vita at least once. Portland is a pretty veggie friendly town, and I can think of at least ten other places I'd go to before this one. I guess their biscuits and almond gravy is pretty good, but the lack of service kind of makes it not worth it. I once waited over an hour before our food came. It wasn't that packed, and numerous times we saw our "waitress" sitting at the bar talking to some dreaded out stink bomb. We only kept waiting cuz the person with us really likes their pancakes. I wish I could give it another chance because some of the food is tasty, it's got a nice outside seating area, and it's close to home, but I can't stand being in an establishment where the workers make you feel unwelcome.
(2)sara r.
Why is it that almost every "vegetarian" restaurant in portland serves meat? How stupid. However, despite its stupidity, vita is still my favorite place to eat in portland. The chicken fried steak with almond gravy is vegan and fantastic. Also the mac and cheese with brocolli and tempeh is pretty awesome too. Fair prices and USUALLY not too long of a wait.
(4)jillian r.
not impressed. the food was alright. tempeh bacon not that great, mac and cheese nothing to write about, bland bland bland, the chili wasn't too bad, but they couldn't have given a smaller portion... the service was terrible and that completely killed my dining experience. willing to give it another shot, based solely on the other reviews. But not if our server is the female server with short blond hair.
(2)Juliette S.
I went to this place after being given the impression by their advertising in a family magazine that it was a kid restaurant. It was as much a kid restaurant as any restaurant is with a kids menu and coloring crayons. I actually felt a little uncomfortable bringing my kids there as the restaurant doesn not have a kids friendly vibe. I actually almost didn't walk in because I thought is was a bar at first glance. The tempeh is tolerable at best if it is slathered with gravy or hummus, or both. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy and that was fabulous. My daughter was terrified of her plate of rice, veggies and tofu. So the food was hit or miss. The service was very slow at best. The place not busy at all and everything took forever. If you consider that there are very few vegan options in town, it should be 5 stars, I just can't do that though. They didn't earn it. Hint for staff: When you have a customer with a screaming child, and the customer is standing by the booth with a crying baby - it is probably a good time to bring the check. Just a suggestion.
(3)Jillian B.
Club Sandwich til I die.
(5)Tall C.
I went here for the first time because it was fairly close to an event @ Woodlawn Pk. that me and my date went to. I never hang in this neighborhood because all it has, as far as getting out to "sight see" is mostly bars and restaurants. Kinda reminds me of being in a theme park......shit, Portland is kinda like a big theme park but you can live there. Anyway, we had a great waitress who brought me my order of fries(wasn't very hungry) and them sommBitches were way over cooked! As soon as she was getting ready to sit them on the table, i was like "damn! he sizzled them babies to death eh?" but she was cordial about it and let me ttry one just to see and i was like "nah" . So about 10 min later she brought back some fries that were tits. Perfectly done(crispy outside and moist inside). My date ordered the vegan buffalo wings, which i tried and loved. Great buffalo sauce over battered tofu, but the dip was not so great tho. I would return for more tho....the cook knows what he's doing.
(3)katie g.
The boyfriend and I decided to come here on Sunday after we decided that we didn't have the three hours it takes to eat at the Tin Shed. The inside is all right looking, I found the giant numbers posted on each booth or table a little off-putting. I mean, can't the wait staff memorize which tables are which? I bet its not that hard. Anyways, i had a hard time deciding what I wanted and my waitress happily pointed somethings out. I had the 2+2+2 ( 2 corn cakes, 2 eggs (or tempeh or tofu) and 2 meat(ish) items) and my boyfriend had the mexican scramble with potatoes and homemade onion bread. The Tempeh that I substituted for eggs were totally flavorless, and I had to steal some gravy from the biscuits and gravy that we had also ordered to make them palatable. The corncakes and tempeh bacon were delightful. The corncakes are really hearty and I wish I had just ordered them with a side of bacon. The gravy was good (although not as good as mine) and my boyfriend really liked his scramble and the bread. The potatoes were dry and crispy, which some people may be into, and don't have a whole lot of seasoning on them, so keep that in mind if you are ordering them. As for the service, our waitress was sufficient, but it was hard to wave her down to ask for things that she have brought in the first place (jam for the toast, etc.) and seemed pissed when we wanted a clean fork after one fell on the ground (I'm certainly not going to assume that their floor is as clean as mine!). Pretty typical Portland service that gets by here but would be abominable anywhere else in the world. There is a big patio out back that looks like its pretty sweet during the summer and a full bar. I like that they compost everything. Overall, I think this is another example of a place that is trying too hard to serve vegan food that tastes like meat instead of just trying to serve good food that happens to be vegan.
(3)ToriDawn S.
I've been here twice now and have been pretty darned pleased both times. Portland is supposed to be a mecca for vegan and veg faire, and Vita Cafe lives up to that rep! First time I came, a friend and I just shared the nachos-YUM!!! He's not even vegan and was hesitant about trying the vegan cheese, but after one bite he changed his mind. The portion was excellent, the flavors great, and if I hadn't felt bombarded by the waiter to order a slice of vegan cake (he asked about 4 times), my first time would have been 5-star worthy. My second visit was good, but not quite as great-although I was quite hungover and it was my birthday so expectations were high. I had a bloody mary (thumbs up) and, after reading all the reviews, the chicken fried steak. I will agree with everyone else and say that this is a meal made in veg heaven. and you dont even have to be a veg to love it. The mac and cheese was so-so...kinda bland and not well reheated. Service has always been friendly yet average, and I love the giant booths. Very spacey and fairly private.
(4)lauren b.
So after my first visit to Vita I was so excited about this place. It really was amazing. The first time. Worth 5+ stars. Upon returning (and getting the same thing) a few times, it is clear to me that it it's worth three. The wine is good. The veggie lasagna (the first time) was incredible and then went downhill. The service blows for the most part to be quite honest. My most vivid memory of vita was the wait. Waiting on water, waiting on wine, waiting waiting waiting. The servers were ok I guess, but more on the normal snotty portland end of things. I really wanted to love this place. If the service was a bit better and the food more consistent, it would be so much better. I brought my dog one of the last times which was cool, only to be turned away because they decided randomly to close early. It's definitely not the best veggie/vegan place around, but it's decent. It's worth giving it a whirl.
(3)augustus B.
The Vita is aways a good bet. I give the points for consistency and service. A few people have remarked on the way the servers look. If you want abercrombie zombies, go to the pearl...This is a vegan/vegetarian friendly place in alberta, what did you expect? That being said, i don't care if the staff starts wearing bones through their noses, the service here is ALWAYS on point. Maybe if some people weren't total eff- faces, the people at vita would treat them better. I always get a good recommendation and a smile, so i dont think you can believe everything that people say. Anyway, the food is good, the service is great, and there is never a long wait. The only thing to be weary of is the deserts. Ask how fresh they are and buy accordingly, and you're all set. If you're on the winning (vegan) team, break bread here, you will enjoy the meal
(4)pongo p.
duuuddeee! we used to live in tacoma, wa and took the trip to pdx a few times a year and we always stopped here or the sister restaurant, paradox. their chicken fried steak (vegan) is the best i've ever had. their nachos are incredible.
(4)Elizabeth O.
I love the Vita Cafe (across the street from its old location). It's got a little bit of everything - and you can't help but enjoy the cool decor. I would recommend this place for all ages. There's a toy box and high chairs for kids. There's a bar for adults. And the menu suits everyone. Try the salmon cakes - they're delicious! I'll definitely be going back to the Vita Cafe.
(5)Wendy C.
Why do I always find great patios at the tail end of summer? Arrrgh! Friend had a gift certificate for Vita Cafe she'd been trying to unload for a year, so we met up with small children in tow to cash that sucker in. First, had no idea how child-friendly the patio was. Even the bocce ball court, if you can reinforce the "balls are for rolling, not for throwing" rule, is pretty good entertainment. Families were hanging out at the big picnic tables and everyone seemed very sociable. Just a good neighborhood vibe - small child even saw a buddy from school there. Second, completely spacey service. Wait staff wandering around not doing much. Bread brought out like 20 minutes after salad had been consumed. Things randomly added to and left off the bill. Third, food was decent. I had a tomato and basil salad with fried chickpeas and immediately demanded that everyone at the table try a fried chickpea. So good! All the other food got an "eh, it's fine" reception. Vita's focus on organic/sustainable/vegan even carries over to their tidy little wine and beer list. Finally, cheapskate that I am: Kids eat for $1 every day from 5-7pm! ALSO: adults can get a $5 dinner AND a $2 cocktail on Wednesdays during the same hours. Next summer, I'm totally camping out here.
(4)neil o.
love this place. at dinner i had lasagna - half red sauce and half pesto since i couldn't decide - and it was all wonderful. breakfast burrito is also fantastic, as is the italian scramble. herb onion toast is great. no complaints.
(5)Rachel J.
The first time I ate here I went with my omnivorous boyfriend and our vegan friend, and we ordered up a delicious feast, complete with vegan desserts. Everybody left sated and happy.
(5)April B.
the service wasn't that great (slooooooooooow), but I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and it was amazing. brown gravy, of which i am normally not a fan, and a tall homemade biscuit. mmmm good. and for dessert--vegan mint chocolate cake. i can't wait to go back and try other menu items. i wish it was closer to my house.
(4)Jeffery F.
I love their food. I bring my omnivore friends with me and they love it as well. I recommend their specials and soups. Nice friendly service with great cocktails. Should be a staple for any vegetarian.
(5)Don B.
Vita Café is a solid NE neighborhood joint offering up nouveau diner-style vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous food to the throngs of Albina types that flock for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a daily basis. With numerous healthy options (steamed veggies instead of hash browns) paired alongside stiff cocktails and plenty unhealthy meat dishes, Vita is a great place for groups that have both animal lovers and animal eaters alike. The food is solid... good but not outstanding. Everything I have tried I would order again, but I don't find myself rushing to drive back over to NE any time soon for anything in particular. I have only been in for brunch (sampling breakfast and lunch items), so that's all I can really comment on. Were this your standard restaurant, I would probably be dropping 3-stars. But with the plethora of healthy, conscious, and vegan/vegetarian options, Vita comes out on top with a solid 4-star rating. The interior is sort of a cobbled-together hipster meets MacGyver chic. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn't want to be. I think you're supposed to feel like your friend put a diner in their house, and has invited you over for a healthy breakfast (and maybe a stiff cocktail alongside). That works for me. Now comes the phrase that's so loaded that everyone hates to read it: I have the feeling that were I vegetarian or vegan, I would be a lot more stoked on this place. It's not necessarily because of the food, per se, but the options on the menu. The ability to easily find numerous options on a menu for the veg-head members of the group while still some meat options for us carnivores is a great thing. it takes the stress and frustration out of pleasing multiple people in a diverse group. Having lived with an on-again-off-again vegan, pescetarian, vegetarian, whatever-atarian-du-jour, coming to a place that has plenty of options for any style and willingness to make anything work is a major plus. It really is easier than doing battle with a server to try and get some subbed-out, added-on, veganized version of something on the menu. There is really something to be said for that. So all in all, Vita is solid stand-in for breakfast or other meals when the *-atarian and I are trying to find a mutually agreeable place. It's not usually my first choice, but it'll do just fine, thanks!
(4)Francis C.
Went back again and same story. Pretty terrible service - if they bother to stop by at all. I got a soup and it was pretty terrible. Overcooked veggies and some cheese that smelled like it went rank. Left with a terrible stomache ache and didn't even finish the food. With a MILLION other vegetarian places in town - there are SO many better options out there. Vita burned down once, I can only hope something closes it down for good. I know I'll never go back and never recommend it.
(1)Will S.
This was my last meal for my first visit to Portlandia. The food was fresh and excellently prepared. I played it safe and ordered meat, my brother ordered off the vegan menu and I'll be damned if his food wasn't better than mine!! I'm usually highly critical of vegan fare, but he ordered a special and it was delicious- it left me regretful that I hadn't embraced the true nature of this place. Their beer list was great for such a small family oriented restaurant (I discovered that all of Portland has great taste in Beer!). When I return to Portland I want to revisit this place and explore more it's vegan/vegetarian dishes.
(4)Nik R.
I've got a list of dietary restrictions that make eating out an exercise in futility most days: gluten, dairy, and nightshades. Not so when visiting Vita; there are enough options that I'm often found taking my time, wondering what to eat, instead of giving up and ordering the salad (after making sure that all the additives are acceptable) or just getting something to drink. The waitstaff are generally cheerful folk, and it's become a regular hangout and place to get something very like quality fast food -- in that food is usually served quickly, is piping hot, and tastes delightful, while being reasonably priced! The only downside is that it's .so. good that the place is often filled to the rafters with parents and their noisy children, and finding a seat can be a futile effort. Since moving to the new space, Vita has expanded their interior, but sadly lost the outdoor seating which was so dear to my heart. It's also fairly poorly lit, and noise carries a long way, often making it clamorous. That said, I love me some Vita, and look forward to grabbing another vegan gluten-free chicken fried steak next time I'm up in PDX.
(3)Kayarrhea P.
Pro: Buffalo Tofu Wrap. Mindblowing. The perfect lunch. Pro: Seitan Fajitas. They're vegan and come with a terrific cilantro-lime sour cream sauce, peppers, onions, beans, rice. Pro: VEGAN CAESAR. Wish they sold bottles of this dressing, it was shocking. Pro: Philly Cheesesteak - had this a long time ago but even my meat-eating bf loved it. Con: No sister store in Southeast.
(5)Kevin S.
The Philly cheese steak was crazy good. The faux turkey florentine was good but tangy. The biscuits and gravy were pretty bad. The "fish" and chips was pretty good. Over all a pretty good vegan place, but Portland has better.
(3)Stanley T.
And my 100th review goes to... Vita Cafe. After perusing many Yelp reviews, I had pretty much decided to order the chicken fried "steak". My only real concern was that at least one reviewer opined that the almond gravy was too salty (a major pet peeve of mine), but that was not the case. The gravy was amazing! We're wondering if the stuff is available by the quart. The mashed potatoes were fine. The chicken fried "steak" was the tastiest tempeh dish I've ever had. Crispy coating (yeah, how do they do that?), just right combination of moisture, texture and flavor within. I had a cup of the soup of the day: spicy tomato fennel. While it was closer in texture to a marinara sauce, the flavor worked for me. And the herb-onion bread accompaniment was yummy. Topped it off with a couple of glasses of Parducci Cab Sauv. Happiness. My wife had the seitan fajitas. I only tried a piece of seitan, which was very good. Overall, I don't think her meal was up to the level of mine - could certainly have used more in the way of vegetables - but, hey, I'm reviewing mine here. Service was very good. Ambiance was kind of tacky, but who really cares? Several more things on the menu I'm looking forward to trying.
(4)Beth C.
So, my lovely brother has been living across the country for me for a while. What does this have to do with Vita? Well, when I miss him I go to places that he likes. On my trip here I went with my DH, MIL, and my hunny's grandparents. (Norma and Roy are in their late 80s.) We had no trouble getting seated right away and we decided to go with a hummas plate to start. It was good stuff. Not too much, not to little. I ordered the buffalo "chicken" wrap. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I loved the sauce. It was well done with good textures and crispness. Norma had the lasagna. I am not a fan of mushrooms but everyone at the table liked it. My hunny had the spicy shrimp thai pasta. Cleaned his plate. We all shared some fries. I can't remember what my MIL or Roy ordered but we really enjoyed the food. The things that I didn't like. The staff has zero charisma. I like to be nice and friendly to people I interact with. The staff here was blah. No amount of politeness or silly jokes could get them to crack smiles. It made me feel like I was not welcome. The seating in the booths is NOT COMFY!! You are sitting on plywood with 90 degree angled backs. My butt hurt when we left. I will be back. I just will sit in a chair and hopefully get someone with pizazz.
(4)Ben F.
Service here is bad, easily some of the worst I've had in Portland. You want to experience that aloof hipster attitude people love to complain about? Go here. Waited 30 min on a Saturday for a counter seat for brunch. The wait was pretty average for a popular brunch place. Took a good 10 min for someone to acknowledge our presence after being sat, which is inexcusable considering we were sitting right in front of all the servers at the counter. Finally got an order in, waited another 30+ min for our food to arrive, all the while watching the parties on either side of us, who were sat and ordered quite some time after us, get their food. The food itself was boring and under seasoned. The almond gravy I had heard so much about was like a bland gluey paste. The chicken sausages were pitifully small. Again back to the service, it was horrible. The woman who served us was cold and aloof, never once apologizing for the ridiculous wait on our food or even checking in on us once the order was placed. Keep in mind she was 3-5ft away from us nearly the entire time puttering around behind the counter doing busy work. Vita Cafe = Fail.
(1)Madhu R.
Fresh food and great outdoor area. Big portions for not that much money. Service can be hit or miss. Hit (if you get the cooky waiter with dreds and sleeve tatoos who's sortof like Tommy Chong), or miss (if you get the waiters/waitresses with fewer tatoos and who are "too cool" to be friendly).
(4)Evelyn M.
I can't believe I haven't already written a review for Vita Cafe. To start with the Bloody Mary is per-fect:spicy and delicious with any meal. What do I love to eat here? the vegan club!!! the reuben!!! ahhhh the "fishwich" !!! the seitan cheese steak!!! biscuits and gravy! The fresh cut fries are real and crispy and generously portioned-I ask for a side of veganaise when I'm not feeling like ketchup. One thing though, my companion had a burger once and was sorely disappointed. Too bad. I've only been for lunch but look forward to trying brunch and dinner. I suspect I'll have a hard time choosing among the wide variety on the menu.
(4)Jens J.
PDX sure seems to be a town of weekend early risers! We drove over to Alberta for breakfast before nine this Saturday morning only to find people already waiting for tables at Helser's and Tin Shed. JP is now leery of trying places unless they have been checked out on Yelp first, but I said "Pshaw, let's try Vita Cafe since it is not crowded." C'mon, gotta have a sense of adventure! We proceeded into the restaurant after passing by a fenced outdoor eating area overgrown with weeds and ratty lawn furniture. We were told to sit anywhere. We likes that! Our waitress brought us some yummy smooth rocket fuel-injected Holler Mountain Stumptown Coffee. I could jog from here to Chicago and back again on that stuff. It wasn't until we saw the menu we saw this was a Vegan restaurant. And that's fine, because we have had some very good experiences with Vegan (Papa G's in PDX and Hillside Cafe in Seattle). We both ordered the "chicken"-fried steak ($8.50). JP had the roasted red potatoes with his and I had the brown rice. Either way it was very good and very filling. Gravy was seasoned perfectly. JP also ordered "apple sausage". I really couldn't tell that the sausage was not bona fide meat. However, its seasonings were a little overwhelming. I had a Mexican corn pancake ($3.50). The Mexican corn pancake came with salsa, gauc and a white mayo-ey dipping sauce that was sheer heaven. I told our waitress how much I loved the dipping sauce and that brought a toothy grin to her face. She told us the "sour cream" was made from tofu and chives. Some other menu items: "burgers", soups, salads, Reuben sandwiches, scrambles, "mac & cheese" and Thai pasta. No dessert items though! Note too that Wednesday is their specials night with $2 well drinks, $2 drafts and $5 cocktails (I did see Tangeray on their booze rack, but no Cointreau). Only real minus was that the service was rather slow (not the waitress but the kitchen). But I did notice that another cook and waitress started their shifts about a half hour after we got there.
(4)Orianne G.
Vita Cafe is a very Portlandy place. The booths are made out of plywood and the lights are made out of mason jars. They have tons of vegetarian/vegan options but also quite a bit of meat. Almost everything I've eaten here has been incredibly delicious. The buffalo tofu wrap is devine, and the vegan club sandwich is simply scrumptious. Of the many dishes I've ordered (and the many I've sampled from my boyfriends plate) there are only a few I wasn't wild about. My least favorite have been the "chicken" fried steak and the supergrain salad with the lemon tahini dressing. Oh! I almost forgot the thai coconut soup! THAT is something you have to try. The hipster people that work there are quite friendly, which is refreshing in a town where vegan restaurants are full of judgmental douche bags. In summary, the people are nice, the decor fun, and the food is delish- What more could you ask for?
(4)Ravyn S.
We love Vita Cafe ... We venture out to NE Portland a few times a month just to eat here. I love that their small-ish menu has so many great options for vegans/vegetarians/gluten-free people. There's typically a little bit of a wait, but once we're seated, the service is great and fast. My favorite item on the menu is the vegan nachos ... closely followed by their vegan caesar salad.
(4)Kiki S.
First things first, if you've never been here there's a coffee shop - Caffe Vita - about a block and a half away. I didn't realize this on my first visit and walked down Alberta with a sad face until I found the actual cafe. This place is great for vegans, vegetarians and the gluten-free. They have meat-eating options, too, but I don't think they're quite as outstanding as their sans-options. And hey - that's cool with me. There are plenty of amazing places for me to go gnaw on a hunk of meat at, it's about time the alternatives got some rockin' good service, too. My husband is gluten-free and one of his main gripes is visiting a restaurant that will happily turn an order GF by removing any bread, toast, etc. but still charge him the full price, despite the fact that he's getting less. At Vita Cafe, they replace any side of bread with a corn muffin. And it seems like at least 50% of the menu, if not more, is capable of being made GF, too. The fries are fat and crispy. The lemonade comes in a mason jar. The windows are big and the staff is always friendly. We got much love for Vita.
(4)Sheena H.
Tasty vegan eats at this place. My personal favorite was the supergrain salad with the carrot ginger dressing. The nachos were okay, wasn't stoked on the chili bean decision, though. The service was a bit to be desired. Our server didn't check back, had to help ourselves to get utensils and napkins, and our water wasn't offered to be refilled at all. So to sum up, the food was a thumbs up, the service, well, not so much.
(3)Rene G.
I had the Buffalo Wrap, fries and a side of mac & cheeze. The wrap was spicy and yummy, fries were crispy and home-made, and the mac & cheeze was a little bowl of awesome! They carry Stumptown Coffee which is also a real treat. I dig this spot alot.
(4)Hilary B.
The vegan, veggie & gluten-free selections are great at this newly located restaurant. I have always been a big fan of the corn cakes, scrambles and sandwiches. Vita's new home brings a bit more (indoor) seating and increasingly surly service. The last few visits I have experienced less-than-pleasant servers but the food keeps me coming back. I hope they are able to get that 4th star on the way with some simple changes with their FOH staff.
(3)Aimee L.
Haven't been here in years so decided to try their breakfast as I'd never had it, as I was craving a good vegetarian breakfast . It was pretty quiet for a holiday morning where there were lines at most places, so nice to get in and get a seat. The Thai Corn Cake was ok - couldn't taste the ginger at all and ended up using the coconut syrup provided to give it a bit of flavor. It's literally the size of one giant pancake, so you don't want to order much more - I'd recommend they make a couple of 'silver dollar' size cakes and serve it with fruits and/or veggies as this got pretty boring after a while to eat with not as much flavor as it could have. I love the idea though so my suggestions are only to make it better! Got a side of fruit which was 90% pineapple and red grapes, and a tasteless fig (sad face). So, I was underwhelmed. Wasn't awful but coulda been better. Service was A-OK as well.
(3)Eric P.
Great place for vegetarians and non-vegs (like me) alike! The buffalo tofu wrap is everything everyone else has proclaimed it to be. The fries are great too, and the side order could feed a small army. I've had the Fishwich (standard fried fish sandwich with tofu instead of fish) and a Seitan Cheese Steak, both were good, but not as good as that buffalo wrap. I'll have to update this review once I've had a chance to try the breakfast.
(4)Sara S.
MORNING POTATOES WITH ALMOND GRAVY. You have not truly experienced all that is the Vita until you've tried the morning potatoes with almond gravy. Also, the Country Comfort platter is very good, I highly recommend it. The waitresses always snicker when I order a Kaliber, though. Maybe it's an inside joke- I don't care, I'll drink my non-alcoholic beer at noon, thank you. ;) I have yet to venture into the dessert case, (usually I have stuffed myself beyond fathomable limits), but one of these days... that toasted coconut cake and I will have a serious confrontation.
(5)Mal C.
I'll start by saying that I'm not vegetarian or vegan. If that were the case, then I'd probably be raving about this place too. I have to say that I LOVED the corn cakes. They were freaking awesome! The eggs and bacon I know are from local, sustainable, organic farms, but they didn't really stand out for me. The cons are the prices are pretty steep - I guess that's what you pay for local, sustainable, organic farm goods (e.g. $3.50 for bacon)? The service was really slow - I thought they were biking to the farm to get the ingredients... that would be very Portlandia. I'd go back though... for the corn cakes!
(3)Hargobind K.
Man this place is awesome! I've been a vegetarian my whole life and so it was thrilling the first few times I came here to have so many awesome menu items to choose from. Not only that, but almost everything here is delicious! I'm a huge fan of their Buffalo Tofu Wrap, their Fishwich, and their Sloppy Biscuit Sandwich. They always seem to be semi-busy, no matter what time of morning or night. Sometimes there's a wait, but it never seems to be more than 10 minutes. There are 4 huge booths that can accommodate 6-8 people easily. They have Wifi too, and great music playing over the speakers. I've stopped here many times to work on my laptop, and all the servers are friendly and fine with you being here. I'm still getting to know the Portland restaurant scene, but so far this place is definitely in my top 5!
(5)Jesha M.
So far I've only come here for breakfast (albeit at 9am or 2pm) and the food is always good and consistent, maybe because I always order the same thing. The service is nothing to thrive about but there are a few staff members who seem to moderately enjoy their job. The food is pretty good and the selection is pretty awesome. The mason jar lights above the bar are pretty cool too.
(4)Brandon T.
The veggie chicken fried steak is delicious and this time around the gravy was actually pretty good. Today they had a special on pecan, strawberry and banana corn cakes and I wish I knew how to make those things on my own because they were delicious, I should have gotten two! I still hold firm on the light bulb thing. This place prides itself on being environmentally friendly and even donate to organizations in the community yet they still use incandescent light bulbs. Just upgrade to CFLS or LEDs or something.
(4)Yolanda Y.
Yummy vegan burritos, perfect for brunch. They've got a bunch of beers to choose from and they make cocktails. This was my first meal in Portland, and it set me off to a good start. I think the service could be faster, but I imagine there were a lot of other hungry people like me who also needed their food. If you're looking for events around town, towards the back by the restrooms there is a table and a bulletin board of things going on in the community.
(4)mister k.
I've got a lot of vegetarian food festivals under my belt, but this year I made it to Portland's VegFest for the first time. I was comforted by the sight of the usual food samples. Picture tiny, imperfect squares of vegan cheese on toothpicks, plastic cups of juice with hemp protein powder mixed in, and lots of cultish rainbow packaging. When we walked up to the Vita Cafe table, I thought I'd stepped through a portal into someplace where the rules had been changed and the game had been upped. Way upped. I couldn't believe it when I was handed a perfectly conceived bite on a skewer: a round biscuit followed by a sausage meatball sitting in a puddle of gravy and garnished with herbs and scallions. Hello! We decided to take it as a sign when the stars aligned and the Yelp app on my Google phone suggested Vita Cafe, and did not regret it. My wife remembered that all I'd been wanting to find was some fancy lemonade, and the sweet server offered up a prickly pear lemonade in a mason jar with a lemon garnish. Ahhhhh. I also got to steal sips of the Rogue Hazelnut Brown they had on tap. I'll be honest, I make a pretty mean almond gravy at home and I'm often disappointed by the vegetarian glue served up at many restaurants. I am always afraid things will go terribly wrong when I order. I decided to go for the chicken friend steak served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The "steak" being made of tempeh was another chance for things to go terribly wrong, but every bite was delicious. I did give up a few bites in trade for some of my wife's buffalo tofu wrap, which was full of pretty incredible flavor. All that and the bill only came to $23? If only we had room for dessert. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)Kimmy K.
This place is great from the vegan to the meat eater. No matter what your taste, make sure to get the buffalo things. I could eat a whole plate myself. And your plate, too. Yes, they are that good. They have a great all night happy hour with cheap food plates on Wed nights.
(4)Manda B.
Dammit I love this place. I would've givin it 5 stars but the vegan bloody mary's are too expensive for what you get. Country comfort - ohmahguhhhh.... so good. Savory tofu, perfect potatoes, biscuit & almond gravy and veg sausage = heaven on a plate ya'll. Clean, cool paintings, good beers on tap, crazy amounts of vegan options and great atmosphere. I heart Vita Cafe.
(4)Rosetta S.
Just okay. I've had better elsewhere, flavors were lacking. Tried 6 dishes. "Fish sticks" were just battered tofu, without flavor, fries were blackened, "ranch" dressing chalky, vegan cheese gross. But their thai coconut soup was delicious. Boring, but not awful food.
(2)Jeremy D.
I've dropped in here 3 times now. The first time was late on Easter Sunday. The place was empty, but the staff stayed around to serve me. With no one else in the place, service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the BLT and it was probably the best BLT I've ever had. This first visit probably raised the bar a bit too high because the last 2 visits have been lacking considerably... I returned the following week on a Thursday. The place was probably half-full and the "please wait to be seated " sign was up. I was acknowledged quickly, but after 15 minutes,of not being seated, I left. I decided to give them one more shot for lunch today. I arrived shortly after 11, and it was "seat yourself " quiet. It took at least 5 minutes to get my water and order an iced tea. It took another 10 minutes for anyone to take my food order and that only because I flagged a waitress down. I ordered the BLT and a side salad. It took at least another 15 minutes for the BLT. Seriously, guys, this is bacon, lettuce and tomato. Not only that, but they didn't even bother to bring me the salad first. Refills on the ice tea were slow and infrequent and the bill was snuck onto my table without so much as a thank you or goodbye. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a malnourished bearded gay hipster vegan that frequents a place like this, but I deserve better service. If that damn BLT wasn't so awesome, I'd never go back.
(2)Gina H.
The food here is good! I love the vegan and veggie options. The cost isn't too bad. I have never had bad service there and the wait is never that long. I will be coming back to this place (and I love taking friends from out of town there).
(4)Puanani L.
Just a hop skip and a jump from our door, i have just discovered the glories of Vita Cafe. Service is friendly and prompt. Atmosphere is casual and funky and laid back. It feels cozy. I am a fan of the Multi-Grain Salad. I wake up mornings thinking about it. Everything was fresh and quickly prepared. Late one evening, we took a walk to pick up some sweet treats and french fries, their french fries are GREAT. The sweets were fresh and tasty and gosh, everyone is just so nice.
(4)Jeremy H.
We love this place. I haven't been impressed by everything, but I do love coming here. The Seitan Cheese Sandy is good, but not like others I've had elsewhere. The Lemongrass Noodle dish I had when I decided to go out on a limb wasn't impressive at all. I was disappointed cuz I LOVE lemongrass. But the buffalo wings. Oh damn, those wings. They are spicy and sexy. Hence, also, the Buffalo Wrap is bombnasty. BOMB. Bombtastic. The Caesar Salad is outstanding. The Coconut Soup is pretty good. The desserts here are amazing! Try the carrot cake. Try the oatmeal cake. Try it. Try it. I'd punch a baby for one right now. The service is friendly, and we haven't had to wait too long ever. There's usually a bunch of people with kids there so it's a good place for children. Ok, that concludes my review because I gotta go eat at Vita. Peace.
(4)Mark W.
The food was okay, nothing astounding. The service however was utterly terribly. I sat waiting for my friend getting more and more depressed at the "music" that was being blared out of the speakers. Full volume pop music that I have expected at a 7-11. The place was filled with couples, all trying to have a conversation but needing to raise their voices to be heard over the pumping bass. When my friend arrived (she had been sitting in Cafe Vita..seriously, whats that about?) she immediately asked the waitress if she could please turn down the music. I'm English, overtly polite, so that didn't ever occur to me. The waitress sniffed and left - the music was turned down a tiny amount. After trying to converse over what utterly sounded like Kesha, my friend asked if it was possible to change the station so something a little less taxing on the ears. The waitress replied, "We like this music." Previously I have worked as a server and I find it rather astounding to receive that reply. Not a single customer looked like the type that would enjoy the type of music that was blaring over the speakers - at full volume again. Will definitely not be back.
(1)kelly s.
I don't find this place very impressive. Their service has always fumbled my order, and taken a while. When I have ordered egg items, they come out burnt. I felt like one of their only redeeming qualities was their cute location, but now they are in a cheesy new location across the street. It's like a slightly less fresh and tasty cup and saucer. -The good, they are very gay friendly, not that most places in portland aren't, but I always feel comfortable here.
(3)Adam B.
Vita Cafe did me right for all three meals I ate there: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was always able to sit down right away and the service was prompt and responsive. It's a no thrills atmosphere inside, and I like Kedar D's description, "a rustic diner." Everything my wife and I ate we enjoyed. A highlight was the breakfast burrito. Rather unassuming on the menu, I was surprised by the behemoth I was served. The huevos rancheros was also a plentiful helping of pure deliciousness. We ate everything vegan style. The buffalo wrap and flamin tempeh dish were on target for flavor and portion size too. Based on my three visits, the service and cooking was consistently great at Vita, and I have no hesitancy in recommending them.
(4)Shana G.
It's so hit and miss. Typically what I have found is that the food is somewhat good and the service is atrocious.
(2)Kerri H.
Vita is a great place to go on Alberta. They have a new location, and I'm sorry to see that outdoor area go!! :( The new location had front windows wide open, we'll see how that goes when hot, hot weather gets here. Things I love about Vita: great menu for vegans and carnivore's alike. And the way they tease you with the dessert case as you walk in the door. Those desserts are scrump-deeeliecious!!!! Things I can do without: fruit flies in my (otherwise fresh) drinks, and the smell of dirty dishwater after they clean a table. Service is always great, and it is well worth any wait on those busy days.
(4)D. B.
Love this place! Home-style, comfort food, vegan heaven. Order half the menu and share. Delicious!
(5)Jenn C.
Disclaimer: I am a carnivorous carnivore who is willing to step over to the dark side for the sake of vegetarian friends. So when my co-worker, freshly back from Hawaii was seeking some NW fare for the veggiesaurus within him I started searching for someplace I had never been. Insert Vita Cafe. Fresh on (that's right it's still going...) a bloody mary kick I ordered theirs to see how it competed with the Observatory (both use wasabi instead of horseradish). Observatory takes that one for flavor and price (Observatory is $7 for a 10oz and Vita is $8 for a kerr jar). Fresh on a stress-binge eating spree I decided I wanted to take the high road and eat something good for me. I ordered the super salad with quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants and a house made lemon tahini dressing and the soup de jour, a southwest veggie (which I think came in the form of a chili). They also have a house made bread that was fantastic. Servings were generous and the service was great too. All in all it was delish for a meat free meal that came in with a pricetag of $16.50 with a mary. I'd go back for sure with or without a reason to eat a meat free dish.
(4)Tommy T.
Mmmm so many vegan options. The Vita is a great standby that's been on Alberta before most of the hip places were there. The prices aren't that steep and food is fresh. The service is friendlier than other reviewers make it out to be and the place is clean. It's nice that you can get a soup/ salad or a greasy vegan burger at the same place.
(5)Karin H.
Good food, but wow the service was extremely slow and not friendly.
(2)Ryan P.
It's a good sign when you go somewhere on a Wednesday night, an hour before it closes and it's still quite busy. Vita Cafe was like that and with good reason. My usually quite critical over vegetarian and vegan food and their menu is among the best I've had. A great selection of American, pasta, and Thai. Their Chicken Fried Steak was unbelievably tasty. I would drive back down there just for that.
(4)john j.
I judge a restaurant based on their blue cheese dressing, and Vita passes. I dream about being dipped in it. Or having someone else dipped in it so I can lick it off them. Cute decor, and lots of veggie options so you don't feel like a second class citizen.
(5)Sarah S.
We went to Vita Cafe for brunch. I was impressed by the variety of menu options. I couldn't decide! As a vegan, this isn't an experience I have all too often. While the breakfast items look similar to other veg restaurants, they did set themselves apart. They are not stingy with the gravy! I'll admit, for weekend brunch I am basically looking for a gravy vehicle. So don't give me a lot of biscuits with a dollop of gravy. Two ladles of gravy and one biscuit is the ideal, and I feel like Vita achieved that! Go gravy!
(4)Ann M.
In our hometown, there are about four restaurant entrees I can order if I want to have a vegan meal I didn't cook, and half of those require me to ask for modifications. So I'm like a kid in a candy store when a restaurant is predominantly vegan. In order to blunt the pain of actually having to choose, I had the soup and salad combo with the Thai coconut soup and the supergrain salad. The soup was nicely flavored and creamy, but with a bit more body than a Tom Yum with coconut milk added. I didn't ask, but perhaps the soup incorporated some pureed legumes? The supergrain salad was comprised of black and white quinoa, baby greens (including some fresh herbs), red pepper slices, lovely smoked pepitas, and guacamole. The standard choice is between lemon tahini dressing and carrot ginger. I chose the latter, and it was lovely. The combo comes with the onion herb bread, which was easily the tastiest bread I have ever consumed. Ever. My husband ordered the pesto lasagna, which he enjoyed, and which was slathered in a terrific amount of pesto sauce. It was served with a salad on the side, which looked rather basic, but fresh and good. Our son is twelve, and he is making a heroic effort to expand his culinary horizons after a lifetime of preferring plain peanut butter sandwiches. He ordered the Italian pasta--rotini noodles with crushed tomatoes, vegan sausage, and kale. It was a simply prepared dish, and he enjoyed it. Our server was sweet and efficient, but not smothering. My one complaint would be that the music was just a touch too loud. We're all relatively soft-spoken, and it was a tiny bit hard to converse. We would definitely return.
(5)Pam M.
Shame on me for coming here for a special birthday. While the service started out friendly it quickly disappeared after our food arrived. The staff seemed disorganized and unable to check on us at any point to offer a second drink, bill or perhaps a piece of birthday cake. After I flagged someone down I asked for a bill and piece of cake. When it arrived I mentioned I was hoping to have it there, but had to get two toddlers home who were near melt down point (after promising cake for the past two hours) I was told "well we are busy" - ouch!
(2)L. R.
Not much to say except Iove it, vegan friendly, staff friendly as can be and food outrageously good!
(5)Ashley G.
I tried the Seitan Fajita Platter tonight... it was a very ample meal for $10.95... came with a sizzling platter of seitan, peppers and onions (I nixed the mushrooms in my order). I got a whole separate plate with 4 or 5 corn tortillas, guacamole, vegan sour cream (sort of), brown rice, salsa and chili beans. It's a lot of food. I was hoping to LOVE this dish but I just liked it. Actually the seitan fajita part was great...praise seitan! The vegan sour cream was sort of watered down, not so fond of it. The guacamole came mostly with a giant hunk of hard fork bending avocado (when I tried to smash it), but the waitress brought me some more guacamole when I asked. I would've rather had just plain beans over the chili beans (the taste was a bit much combined with the fajitas). I'm sure I will end up back at Vita again with vegan friends. I might order this dish again. I'm sort of inclined just to get a basket of fries, which seems to be the one thing I really like there.
(3)Suzie J.
I have been meaning to try out this restaurant located on Alberta for close to 6+ months. I had the opportunity to go just the other night. As you can see from a lot of my reviews with food, I love noodles...I adore them! I decided to go with the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which consisted of a variety of veggies (cauliflower, red and green cabbage, red peppers, kale, mushrooms,etc) in a lemongrass, ginger broth accented with cilantro. You could definitely taste the lemongrass. I wanted this dish to be bottomless - fabulous dish! My friend had the Savory Seitan Stew. It was homemade seitan and veggies served over vegan mashed potatoes. For someone who is not vegan, I tried a bite of the dish and thought it was great as well. It's good to try dishes that you wouldn't normally have at home. If you are around the Alberta district, I would strongly suggest that you try out the Vita Cafe. One place you'll continue to come back to. I know that I will!
(4)Calvin E.
Since moving to Portland over 2 years ago, this place has become one of my favorite places to eat. I truly enjoy going somewhere and being able to eat everything on the menu. It is heaven. I have tried a good majority of the menu, and while not everything is vegan bliss, it is usually quite tasty and filling. Yes, it is a tad on the pricey side, but I feel the ability to not have to search out food I can actually eat is worth it. My favorites are the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and the Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken Fried Steak. Both delicious and super filling. Also, the raspberry apple cider is my all time favorite fruit beverage. My only real serious gripe with this place is some of the servers tend to act annoyed that they have to do their job. I'm sorry if I need another drink, but I am a lush who is more than happy to tip, if treated with respect. Get over yourself.
(4)jeni s.
came here for the first time and made the difficult decision to order the buffalo tofu wrap. my companions ordered some of the other things i wanted so i tried a bit of the reuben and the super grains salad too. everything was super yummy, but the fries were surprisingly good. they tasted like homemade french fries, but crispier (though still thick and potatoey on the inside). within 2 days i was craving to go back and get the buffalo tofu wrap again. i'm so excited about this place. good job folks.
(4)Anthony D.
I've visited this place a number of times over the past 6 years or so. I appreciate the number of vegan options - the food has generally been great. The staff, not so much. I've found them often to be inattentive, and this past week when I was in one was wearing a cutoff skirt so short that her ass cheeks were hanging out above her torn fishnets. In a proper context I'm all for scantily-clad women, but at lunchtime in a restaurant that purports to be family-friendly?
(3)Lena W.
I am neither vegan nor vegetarian, but I am a fan of both the vegan and vegetarian food that Vita Cafe has to offer. For those who can't bear to eat without meat, they have food with meat and cheese in it as well, so there really is no excuse to not try this place out. Their Mac and "Cheese" is really addicting, and their vegan burger (I added cheddar cheese to mine) had one of the best vegan patties I'd ever tasted. Yum! This place has such a hip-yet-down-to-earth vibe that it's impossible to feel stressed while dining, and just to complete the Portland signature, the coffee they serve is Stumptown...complete with your choice of real cream or soy milk.
(4)M M.
Good vegan comfort food! The service is good. I appreciate the restaurant because I can bring my friends that aren't vegan or vegetarian there to dine without complaint.
(4)Jana S.
Probably the best Vegan food I've had..granted that has not been much. They have everything from yummy food, great drinks and deserts. My favorite, by far, is the buffalo wrap. Vegan ranch??? Come on people! That's awesome. I will say that the prices are a bit steep, and I would like to have a side of fries with my burger or wrap. Stay away from the peanut sauce - probably the heaviest ever. Seriously, you might as well take peanut butter and put in on your food. Boo hiss! Overall a good place. Some items on the menu will blow you out of the water, and others blow out of the...you know..other end.
(3)Brett M.
Vita is the place to go when a) everything sounds good, b) nothing sounds good, or c) you have a large, hungry, picky group. They have a bar, huge booths and intimate tables. It really works for any group and any occasion. The vita menu is deceptively small looking, but packed with choices. Burgers, sandwiches, Italian entrees, Mexican entrees, Southern comfort food - its all here and its all *delicious*. The Pesto Lasagna, Chicken Fried Steak, & Seitan IPA Stew are favorites, but none match the epic Turkey Club. A double decker masterpiece of hot tofurkey, savory tempeh bacon and guacamole on yummy toasted bread. Add a side of vegan ranch and that'd be my death row dinner choice. The appetizers are equally noteworthy and often eaten as meals themselves. The buffalo "wings" (crispy tofu strips - also available with BBQ) are delicious. The vegan nachos are enormous. They have a great selection of beers on tap (HUB!) and awesome happy hour specials on Wednesday. The mac and cheese is hit or miss, but you really can't go wrong with the rest of the menu. Staff is friendly and fast even when the place is packed with noisy, demanding groups (of which I've often been a part). Just a great place to dine on all accounts.
(5)Michael L.
The last time I went to Vita Cafe, the service was less than stellar. New location, new attitude. The staff were friendly and professional. And prompt. Which is very nice. I could tell that something was new. But on to why we actually came here - food. My wife and I started a gluten-free/dairy-free diet a few weeks ago, for health reasons. Combine that with the Hawthorne Aveda salon for a Mother's Day massage and we have a near-required Vita-Cafe visit. The food has always been good; tonight, it was superb. My wife had the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. I tried some and it was delicious. I had a chili burger (sans bun) and a small Greek salad. Oh.My. Just incredible all the way around. The salad had usual salad fare - lettuce, tomatoes, cukes - but also olives, red onion, olives, red peppers, olives, and a green pesto-like dressing. And did I mention olives? My daughter had the kid's mac and cheese with broccoli and, while *she* didn't like it, I tried it and it was pretty darn good. She might not have liked the texture, which was a little on the gritty side, but it was good. But hey, she's 4 :)
(4)Kenny H.
The Veggie Reuben Sandwich is THE BOMB. No one makes a better one! Hopworks Beer Washes it down perfectly. The Spicy French Fries are Kick Ass to! One thing I had that was "Meh": The Seitan BLT sandwich was uneventful. Fakin Bacon is where it's at. Just make that at home. People here are way nice as well. Update: Went yesterday night to the recent location. Food was subpar, the server was really rude, the fries were all burnt yet greasy... they ONLY have happy hour on Wed night (WTF?) $4 was pricey for a less than ideal poor of local beer. wha happen?????? I would make this review a 2, but I do not want to lose faith too fast.
(4)Evil Vegan ..
Please open a Vita Cafe in North Park, San Diego
(4)Patrick T.
Disappointed this lunch visit, but will definitely be back to try the other tasty-looking items on the menu...my experience this visit: I ordered the mac n cheese with chili. I assumed the chili would be on the side not mixed in throughout the bowl...I prefer to manually mix myself so I can compare the individual flavors of the chili and macncheese. With the chili and mac premixed this lunch was relatively uninspiring and the flavor of the mac-cheese-chili mixture just ordinary. I also wasn't hungry hungry and specifically asked how big the bowl of mac was. The response I received left the impression the bowl wouldn't be too big. The portion size was huge and could easily satiate two people. In conclusion, the portion size is great, the pasta cooked perfectly, but because it was premixed it didn't work out as good as I was looking forward to and as good as the other patrons' meals looked and smelled. I'll be back but will ask more specific questions next time.
(2)Phillip V.
I thought this place was really good. I got some sort of vegan bean soup that was rich, flavorful, and filling. I got some kinda vegan BLT that was great, but my companion's quinoa salad took the cake. I ignored the pretentious party seated next to me, sizing up my order and discussing philosophy. Maybe I was just used to cheap bar food, but I felt like I had to be careful with my spending here.
(4)Daisy C.
I have been there a couple of times now and they fail to impress. Nice ambiance, but seriously mediocre to bleh food and in true Portland tradition- crappy service. I wouldn't avoid the place, but I am not going to go out of my way to eat there either.
(3)Kiera H.
I have to lower my review. We went with the vegan Mac and Cheese for the first time tonight and it was not good at all. I am very surprised. $7 for what could have been made with noodles and one of those packets of vegan cheese sauce. We could have made better at home using the cheesy sauce recipe from "How it all vegan." Very disappointing. However, we agreed that if they would have called it "vegan tuna casserole," we would have understood more.
(3)Ann K.
Date Visited: Sunday 7/20/08 (Lunch) Nine of us decided to have a nice leisurely lunch at Vita Cafe. We were lucky enough to get outdoor seating, though the table was a little too small for all of us and the umbrellas only managed to shade some of us. As organizer of my group, I sacrificed myself to the sun and took a sunny spot. I survived. The food may not be worth the cancer I could get as a result of that sun exposure, but it was pretty darn good. I have never had a regular BLT sandwich in my life, so it seemed weird to have a vegetarian one. I really enjoyed it and if my work computer didn't crash everytime I tried to access the Vita Cafe website, I would tell you more about it. Let's just say that I really enjoyed it and my guests all really enjoyed what they ordered as well, so I have a feeling that you will probably enjoy the food there as well. I plan on going back many, many times and update this pathetically short review. Date Visited: Saturday 9/6/08 (Dinner) It's one of the rare times that I'm kinda glad my original plans fell through. I had to change my rating for this place thanks to this night. I had a 'Chicken' Fried Steak meal that came with mashed potatoes and it was all smothered in an almond gravy. OH MY GOD. It's been over a week since I had it and I'm still craving the darn thing! I want it day after day! I've been having some stomach issues and I distinctly remembered that I was not only terribly energized after eating this meal, but my stomach felt fine! I hope it stays a 5-Star place for me and that it's around for years and years to come.
(5)January M.
Excellent Bloody Mary. Damn. Even just thinking about it. So so so good. I'd go back for another, but unfortunately I did not dig my meal at all. I ordered the tofurkey Florentine (bacon subbed) so, it was actually eggs benedict. The most perfectly poached eggs, super tasty bacon and fresh spinach were unable to make up for soggy English muffins and chalky coagulated vegan hollandaise sauce. Our plates had obviously been sitting for a while before they were brought to us. Inattentive service became the theme of our meal which took nearly 3 hours to complete. I know what you're thinking, "Portland+Breakfast=Wait" Waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a table to become available is something we've all come to expect. But in my experience, once you sit down, you're taken care of. The place was not full, but our server was no where to be found. I got kind of fed up after a dog (that was allowed in the patio) took a shit right next to our table. It's really unlikely that I'll go back.
(2)Lizzie V.
Note: I haven't visited their new location, but will very shortly. I went through this faze of being intolerant to just about every food item that had taste and during this time of darkness Vita was a God send. I almost cried the first time I went there. The most amazing vegan nachos ever. I love their Thai corn cakes. I love the H.O.G. H.O.G. 3 / 5 homemade Herb and Onion bread topped with almond Gravy I love the price, I love the portions. I love that you can order half sizes. I love Vita cafe.
(5)Aleksandra E.
Love Vita Cafe! I'm no connoisseur to vegan dining, but this food is delicious. The fried risotto balls are amazing- ricey on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and the "chicken" fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy... I'm still coming down from that one. Go. Eat well. Be happy.
(5)Kat L.
Oh, to be vegan in Portland... A veritable smorgasboard of options. I just spent a week here, and this was one of my favorite (of MANY) places that I ate. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on various days, so I got the well-rounded experience. I liked the diversity of choices on the menu, and particularly appreciated the abundance of gravy-slathered home-style options. No surprise... I really liked the chicken-fried tempeh w/ potatoes and gravy. My bf had the mac n' cheese, which was pretty good, but not the greatest. The BLT sandwich was straight-forward but good. They had vegan ranch dressing for the salad, which was pretty sweet. As for my breakfast...Coming from a place where I have to drive far to score vegan breakfast, I was initially stoked on everything in PDX, but I started to get spoiled by the end of my stay. Vita was good, but definitely not the best. My bf got the french toast, which was pretty damn good. I had the country-style breakfast (wooo more gravy!!)... The "scramble" was just seasoned cubed tofu, which was good, but not very scrambley in the traditional sense. The gravy of course was delicious, but the plate came with two biscuits...Must've been from different batches, because one was good while the other was hard and dense as a rock. Oh well. I still give this place 4 stars because I'm easy to please, and overall my friends and I left feeling satisfied every time we ate here. Unfortunately, I was always too full for dessert, which did look quite delicious.
(4)Brandon R.
I love the Vita Cafe. I've been eating here for about 6 years, and while I've had plenty of less than stellar experiences with the service and food quality, it remains the most consistently dependable vegan restaurant I know of. The staff changes from time to time, and some of them have been a bit less than awesome. But overall, it;s got a great neighborhood feel, and there's something very Portland about the mix of hippie/punk/anarchist/fashion chic people that work here. The menu is so diverse and offers so many vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free and organic food options, it's hard to imagine someone not being able to find something they like here. I've brought many an omnivore to The Vita, and they've all found something they really liked about it. The bicycle themed bar and liquor rack is a definite plus, and the road sign wall hangings and revolving art add a nice cultured flair to the experience. I recommend avoiding the entire Alberta St scene on Saturday and Sundays, especially from 10 to 2, but if you must go, you might be surprised to find the wait at The Vita A LOT shorter than any other hip breakfast joint. The desserts are hit or miss, as Piece of Cake is a large outfit that no longer specializes in Vegan dessert. However, their coconut cupcakes are heavenly, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter will be rich and moist and you might have to share. Bring your friends for dinner and drinks, try any of the daily specials, definitely have the Thai coconut soup and the Buffalo Tempeh wrap!
(5)Joshua D.
Some of the best Vegan food around! I eat meat and love this place!
(5)Mark L.
I went to the Vita Cafe on the recommendation of my roommate, who happens to be vegan. I went with two friends who, like myself, happen to be bloodthirsty carnivores. But it worked out in the end--Vita Cafe does have meat on the menu, although it's known for its vegan offerings. It is a hippie haven---beards and long hair and important conversations--but comfortable. I like hippies ... unless they smell weird. I went with the Vita Scramble ($8), eggs loaded with veggies like spinach, onions cauliflower--there were actually more vegetables than eggs. The herb and onion toast was delicious. The side of potatoes was good, too ... very buttery. The wait was long, typical for Sunday breakfast spots in Portland, but we made friends with a group who had just purchased a statue of Gene Simmons' head and bust at a yard sale for $60. It was beautiful. And when they were seated, Gene came along, too, and sat right on the table. We thought about buying him a beer, but Vita Cafe doesn't offer PBR. Sorry, Gene. My only quibble, and it's a very minor one, is that the gent who ended up serving us was a little sassy with us while we waited for our table. Once he realized he'd be serving us, he was very delightful. But he was very nice to Gene, and brought a glass of water for him to lap up. The prices are very reasonable, and I hear the Corn Cakes ($4.50 for one; $7 for two) are quite a treat. The Bloody Marys and Mimosas also looked good. I like the fact that Vita also serves meat, and doesn't make you feel like a pig if you do order it. Meat is murder, but bacon is best ... just ask any vegan/vegetarian about their taboo dreams of wanting to secretly devour a salty pork product.
(3)Lynne M.
I've been to the Vita Café before and enjoyed it, so I hope my latest visit was an aberration and not a trend. Three of the four people in our party have special diet needs, so the Vita seemed like a good choice for a healthy, tasty meal. The waitress mentioned several times that it was her first night on the job, not necessary as this unfortunate fact became obvious as the evening progressed. She brought three of the five items we ordered, then seemed to forget that two in our party had not been served. When we alerted her to the oversight she went to find the missing meals (both specials), then returned to say that there was only one left so we would need to order something else. Shortly after she took the new order one person in our party, who is gluten intolerant, noticed that the rice noodles he'd ordered didn't seem right. We called the waitress over to see if she could check what kind of noodles he'd been served and, sure enough, they were not rice but soba noodles instead. She asked if she could bring him something else and he asked that she just take the plate away as he would not be eating anything else. She apologized and said she would comp all our meals. In the meantime, the special arrived but no new order. The two of us who'd been served meals we could actually eat finished before the replacement order ever arrived. Who knows what happened to it as by this time the waitress was ignoring us. While we appreciate the apology and the comped meals, the fact that only two of the four in our party were served food we could safely eat, and the fact that the fourth person in our party was never served any food at all had us questioning whether we would make a return visit. Maybe, since we've had good experiences there before, but not any time soon.
(1)Petra L.
I want so badly to love this place. Really, I do. It's exactly two blocks from my house and has an outdoor patio that is shaded in such a way as to not force me to look at the street. Their spicy house tea blend is also incredibly good, as is their Buffalo Tofu Wrap. BUT (there is a but), their brunch makes me physically angry. I love brunch. I do. It's a fabulous time of day and is my meal of the week where I eat whatever the fuck I want and chase it with as much coffee as my heart rate can handle. I've been there many times and I never get less disappointed. Why do I still go? (Mostly because I refuse to wait in line at the Tin Shed.) Although the vegetable combinations that they put in their scrambles are tasty (and I am strangely fond of their homemade seitan), the scrambles are not creatively spiced and they USE CUBED TOFU. I'm pretty sure the "scramble" should be a hint to CRUMBLE THE F'N TOFU. To be fair, it's mostly a personal pet peeve. Also, their reubens. I'm a connoisseur of them and I was wholly disappointed in the one I had here. Dry, uninspired, bland. Eventually, when I'm less lazy, I'll stop going here.
(3)Skylor P.
Ate an awesome breakfast this morning that was so well balanced! Veggies, a corn cake, eggs? yes please. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. As a health coach I was fully satisfied :)
(5)Briea D.
This place has impressive vegetarian and vegan cuisine that has real flavor. The Thai corn cakes are to die for. The supergrain salad was good, as was the mac and cheese. Good portion sizes. The service was decent, though not stellar by any means. Casual atmosphere perfect for a lazy brunch. Overall, it was worth it.
(4)Victoria J.
Wow! The "chicken fried steak"? I have never seen a vege-version of chicken fried steak and as it was a specialty of my southern mom's growing up, I HAD to get it.....SO MUCH FOOD!! And Miraculously served with not a speck of grease left from it's deep fried goodness...how do they do that?! I couldn't even finish it and certainly did not have room for any of the amazing cakes we were sitting next too. The plywood booth seating is lame though. With comfort food like that you need something you can really slouch into once the belt notches start loosening
(4)Spratt M.
Five stars for excellent tofu rancheros with yummy veggies and tasty sauces--tastiness often being the first thing to go whenever veganness is introduced. 3 out of 3 people who had the corn cake loved the corn cake, also. Now, I thought a corn cake was going to be like a crab cake, so I didn't go near it, but it turned out to be a pancake-style deal that comes in 3 different styles, NW being the best (although isn't Vita in the NE? Hmmmm....). Right down the street 'n' around the corner from one of my favorite magazine publishers/feminist enclaves ever, perhaps promoted to favorite magazine publisher ever now that Punk Planet is gone. RIP PP.
(5)McKenzie G.
Some nights, in Denver, I dream of you. I dream of a place like you with your faux fish sandwich and your homemade mock turkey. Your breakfast bloody marys and your biscuits and mushroom gravy. God, I love you. I can't wait to move back to Oregon to spend time in your sweet wooden booths. I never visit Portland without seeing you.
(5)Z Z.
Vita Cafe is quite good. The menu has a wide range of vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan dishes. I went there with a group of people and we all liked our food. It is small inside but the booths were quite comfy, there was more than enough room for all of us. Vita is cool inside, funky decorations and artwork. It wasn't too crowded in there although the patio was quite crowded, overall it was just a fun night. I was quite pleased to see that you could order half portions of the soups and salads. I ordered the Mediterranean Platter appetizer which had this thick flavorful hummus serviced with olives, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and toasted pita. It was quite good, I especially enjoyed the hummus, it was delicious. I also ordered a half portion of the Greek salad w/the basil vinaigrette on the side. The salad was quite good, the veggies were fresh and quite crisp. Everything was delicious. Everyone that I was with really enjoyed their food, from what I noticed everyone was a member of the clean plate club that is for sure! We were drooling because the waitress kept walking back and forth to the dessert case in the front with this amazing looking cakes. I was a good girl and didn't get anything for dessert but WOW did they look great. Our waitress was a bit of a space cadet but she did warn us right up front that she was out of it. She was nice enough but was spacey. It is pretty mellow in there so don't be surprised if everything takes a short while to come out and to get your check. Fun place though and great food.
(4)Clarke W.
Stopped in for breakfast. Had the Faux Tofurkey Florentine & The 2+2+2 with vegan sausage. Its always an interesting experience when trying vegan interpretations of classic breakfast food, let alone hollandaise sauce and sausage, but Vita does it well! The Tofurkey Florentine was creamy and smooth & the vegan sausage in the 2+2+2 was smoky and sweet. They serve vegetarian and vegan fare as well as free range, all natural, hormone free meats and eggs. All local and organic, which seems to be the 'Portland' standard.
(4)Benjamin B.
Got the vegan chicken fried steak and was greatly impressed. I'm a huge fan of chicken fried steak and they definitely did it right.
(4)Steal R.
This restaurant is phenomenal! There is such a depth to the menu and so many of the items are just amazing. My fiance and I were heading to a wedding in Hood River, Oregon and wanted to stop at a Vegan friendly restaurant on our drive from the the airport. This was the perfect place. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed and sitting outside was very peaceful. We ordered the Mexican Corncake- awesome, Fries- to die for, and the Vegan Cheesesteak. My fiance ordered the cheesesteak and I ended up stealing half of it. It was made with Satan and it was cooked perfectly and with the perfect spices. We were too full for dessert but vowed to return on our drive back to the airport. And return, we did. This time, we split another sandwich and got the cheesesteak to go. We also ordered the Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake. This was unbelievable. I will travel back to Portland, just to visit this restaurant. I want to move them to San Jose!
(5)Mark K.
What a great place. I had the "fish" sandwich, which was tofu fried like a fish sandwich and it was GREAT! The atmosphere is nice, the service great, and I just generally appreciate having a vegan restaurant in this part of town. Terrific food!
(5)Mama L.
Vita seems to be falling apart. They used to have great staff and consistent food, but the past few times I've been there, we haven't had such great food and tonight the service was just bizarre. Our favorite, Vita Chop Salad, was old and gross with giant hunks of raw broccoli (raw should be chopped small, that's why they call it chop salad silly) and wilted lettuce rotting in the worn-out ranch dressing. Needless to say, we aren't getting that again. The portions on the most expensive vegan thing on the menu, the Seitan Fajitas, have been dwindling and they insist on charging extra for a couple of extra tortillas when it only comes with 3. Whatever, I guess it's not a Mexican restaurant. The food tonight was passable except for the Thai pasta with Yuckisobad noodles. The fajitas were delicious as usual. But our waitress was BIZARRE. I've been dieting and was totally psyched to cheat by having a pint of beer, but I really wanted it to be the right one. I LOVE Vita's rotating menu of artisenal beers and how the waitresses always offer a small sample if you are having a hard time deciding. "Red or IPA" I asked myself...HMMMM. My hubby ordered an IPA so I asked to sample the Red. I would be really disappointed if it were sweet. The waitress actually suggested that I sample my friend's beer instead. It wasn't even on the table yet, but she figured she'd just go ahead and invite me to drink out of his glass. I told her he was a hitchhiker I'd just picked up and I would sample my hubby's IPA, the Red and then decide. But you know what, she killed my taste for beer altogether. We were eating with our kid and a friend's kid and we ordered a dish for each of them. They are 4 and 5 respectively and can handily tuck away a plate of rice and tofu. She forgot we had two kids, only brought one order of food, and after apologizing, tried to make it seem like there was something wrong with the kids for not wanting to share. Please leave the parenting to the people with kids and just go ask for more food from the kitchen! At one point I realized I had forgotten to order something for the kids so I walked up to the counter and said so. She just looked at me. So I asked again "Is it okay to still order something, now?" I think 5 whole minutes had passed since our order was placed. I am so sad for Vita!
(2)Alex K.
Vita Cafe is great place for lunch, or to enjoy a beer and have a solid dinner. They specialize in vegan plates, but also offer some carnivorous delights. Its sort of down home food with a vegan/Portland twist. I live right by it and should frequent more often. The food is good but I'm not enticed by it. Probably because the menu is sort of odd and nothing jumps out and says "Order me. You want to eat me."
(4)Sara S.
The vegetarian rueben really does live up to the hype. It's awesome. Thick slabs of tempeh smothered in vegan 1000 island dressing and saurcraut. Whether vegetarian or the traditional kind, a rueben isn't the type of sandwich I would order. However, I was told Vita was "known" for it, so I got it and so happy I did. The sandwich was filling, but I didn't feel gross afterwards. I felt like I ate healthy, nutritious food, which energized me and kept me going for the rest of the day. Got a side of fries, only ate two of them. They were very bland. I guess I should have ordered the spicy fries, but I didn't see them on the menu! I like the atmosphere and the waitstaff and patrons are great. I would love to come back and try their breakfast (tofu scramble, yes!), and props for the full bar! I'm sure this place gets to be an awesome time at night, and I will surely be back to experience it.
(4)joseph f.
First off I should say that it is great having vegan friendly restaurants around, being one myself -- sadly, the food at Vita is so sub-par to awful that it feeds into the stupid stereotype that "vegan food" is terrible. The veggie burger with fakin' tempeh on it was downright terrible and tasted like cardboard. The bun was McDonald's style bland. I don't know how you mess up fries, but ours were pretty unedible -- overcooked and greasy. My wife got the Tempeh Reuben, dry and bland with grocery-style Marble bread. The diner-style Coffe was way overpriced at $1.75. The only soy milk offered was the yucky, flavored kind. On our previous visit we had the mediocre, forgettable seitan-cheesesteak and mac-n-cheese. Not as bad as the food we ordered today, but, again, very underwhelming to say the least.
(1)Bob M.
Okay so this place has the potential to be a five star vegan spot where you can bring meat eaters. However, the food is slightly inconsistent. The buffalo tofu hot wings if cooked right is amazing. Second time I went they were pretty under cooked and mushy. The vegan philly (seitan) is pretty good. The salmon cakes are decent (only get if you like ginger). The supergrain salad is i nice healthy meal. The best thing I've had is the vegan chicken fried steak-- the almond gravy is delicious. The fries if cooked fully are great skin on fries, but one time I went they were soggy. Wait staff is pretty friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this spot to non meat eaters.
(4)Erica W.
Yum! The vegan nachos were delicious - really tasty and with fresh guac and yummy salsa. We each got the soup and the Super Grain salad and we loved it. This is vegan food that is tasty and healthy. The menu is not fully vegan and it seemed like lots of folks were enjoying yummy breakfasts. Nice strong coffee. The service was slow but that was because the place was packed and there were only two servers - and one seemed to be doing the entire front half of the restaurant. She was friendly and apologetic and we really didn't mind. The vibe was laid back and there was a mix of people there from an older professional couple to tattooed-20-somethings. No pretense and great food. -1 star for the slow service and bean soup that was a bit too thick, I think my spoon could have stood up in it once it began to cool down.
(4)Julie V.
We rolled in for breakfast on a Saturday morning around 10:30am. We sat immediately, were attended to instantly, and then mulled over the menu for ages. So much to choose from, so little stomach room. It was nice to have more than two vegan options on a veg menu. Between my husband and I we ordered the chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and a Mexican corn cake. Everything was served hot, looked beautiful, and was flavorful and rich. I appreciated the atmosphere, I can definitely see taking my two kids here. My husband lives in Portland and has eaten here more than I have and has yet to be disappointed. We were going to go back for another meal but remembered they were closing to change locations (moving across the street). I look forward to eating at the new location once I move up to Portland. Inexpensive, delicious food in a family-friendly environment is something I would go out of my way for.
(5)Jen S.
I'm mostly vegetarian with an occasional tendency toward fish, but I was craving something vegan (or at least partially vegan) today so I headed over to Vita Cafe for the first time. I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this place. Just the thought of vegan gravy made me so happy - I haven't had biscuits and gravy in forever. So I ordered the Country Comfort breakfast for lunch, and alas... Pros: nice staff, pleasant atmosphere, lots of options at lunchtime, two scrambled eggs really was two eggs instead of the massive heap of eggs you get at other diners when you order two eggs Cons: tempeh bacon (too tempeh-y, I prefer Morningstar over their version), almond gravy (too salty and grainy), biscuits (too dense) Could just be my taste though. I'll go back, for sure - they donate 1% of sales to local environmental and social non profits, for one thing, and I'm intrigued by the Mexican corn cakes and many of their dinner dishes. So I look forward to upping the rating soon...
(3)Abdul I.
The corn cakes are fabulous! My personal fav: Thai Corn. And gotta love the bloody mary!
(4)Marc H.
Seriously good. After moving back from the east coast, it doesn't take much veg food on a menu to get my attention but this was great. Not only could I eat almost anything on the menu, I bet it is fantastic. I am going back to try it all. This time around I had the seitan fajitas. Never thought to cut really thin slices of seitan for fajitas but I will be trying it at home for sure. Doubt I will match Vita's goodness. The vibe is low-key. It was ~7pm on a Saturday and not busy at all. No wait and a few empty tables. Looks like everybody else was missing out. Not as cheap as it gets but pretty inexpensive. Entrees between ~$7 and $12. Fajitas were like $10 or so.
(5)Vanessa K.
I think the food is delicious! We had great service. I only wish there were no flies, but I think it was because it was so hot and the windows were open.
(5)Samantha O.
best thing was the thai coconut soup fries, "fish", ranch dressing, coffee, onion bread were terribly dissapointing.
(2)Jon S.
Awesome Awesome Awesome. We got into town last night, and this was our first stop. My girlfriend is Vegan and loved everything, and I did too. I'm keeping this short, but the buffalo things rock, as does the ethos of the place.
(5)Lauren W.
In my last four day stay in Portland I went to Vita Cafe three times! The vegan options are great. Sit down in booth-style seating to enjoy their comfort food! I would especially recommend the breakfast. With options like biscuits with almond gravy, "chicken" fried steak, or fluffy french toast it's hard to go wrong. I'd recommend ordering those potatoes spicy with the Italian tofu scramble- complete with artichoke hearts, olives, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Portions are filling and decently priced. Another plus is the full-bar, with $2 draft pints on Wednesday nights. Oh, and they also have a bocce ball yard, though I've never played there.
(4)Ann S.
After reading all the reviews about the service here you would think the owners would get on the clue-bus. We almost walked out today as I felt that we were invisible. I did not see a smile on any of the servers faces. It appeared they all needed an attitude adjustment. They were busy, but not harried. They even had time to rest at the counter. The drinking water was rather warm and it was a hot day out, as this is Alberta Street Fair day and spending a couple hours on the hot asphalt one gets hot. The beer was warm as well and the guy just made excuses and made no attempt to fix the problem. Finally my friend said, "just put some ice in it". This is my second visit here and really liked the food both times. Finally one waiter came to our table and made an attempt at service recovery. My friend got a beer in a can and the server said he would take it back if it was not cold. It was fine. He ended up charging us for only one beer so he truly understood service recovery. What he did was saved my review from only giving one star. I may try this place again, but if the service attitude is going to continue like this, there are many other vegan restaurants around.
(3)Alla S.
Good stuff! The best vegan chicken fried steak that I've ever had! Excellent variety of vegan dishes and dessert!
(4)mel p.
Double date night and this is where we chose to go without reading reviews before hand. Good idea? Bad idea? We had to wait about 10 minutes on a busy Friday night to be seated. Not bad seeing iv waited up to 45 minutes at some places. Right off the bat though it took a server over 7 minutes to come over and acknowlege that we were in the place and ooohhh so ready to place drink orders. Red wine, some fruity raspberry cocktail,Blue Sky cola and water would do that trick. On to the better part. I had the vegan burger with shrooms and onions. It was great. Homemade id even say seeing whole chickpeas were falling out at one point. I loved it. Next up,Italian pasta with kale,veggie sausage and a few other choice items. It could had been better. I'll leave it at that. Also at the table we had a "real burger please", it was pretty good. Kind of typical but free range, hormone free quarter pound beef makes this a step up in the right direction. Finally sitting across from me was a greek salad with crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion,and olives with basil vinaigrette. I think she added the fried tempeh as well to the salad. Spot on was the term I belived was used on this one. Remember to order fries if you want them,seeing they do not come with the burgers. This palce is getting 3 stars not really for its food. That could had been 4 stars without a doubt. Though it gets 3 stars because the service was lackluster. The waiter never WAITED to fully hear the order before walking away. Man that bugs me. And lastly I ordered fries with my vegan buger and they came out 10 minutes AFTER we were all served our food. Major faux pas. Over all I say it was a good idea going to this place. I'll for sure give it another shot.
(3)Meredith P.
My favorite time to come here is for dinner. I don't come on the weekends for breakfast because there are too many damn hungry, hungover hipsters, and I don't like to wait 1.5 hours for a table. With that said, come on a weekday night for dinner, and you'll be very pleased. Service: some of the waiters have come off like asses, but some are really nice, so it is probably affected by the mood of the staff on any given day. Food: absolutely best diner Vegan food in Portland. Not too expensive. Ambiance: very nice, I like.
(4)Zachary L.
I was rather impressed with this place. It was frequently busy, so I figured they must be doing something right and their food definitely conveyed that thought. Out of my whole vegan tour of Portland, this was home of what I believed to be one of the best vegan tempeh sandwiches I've ever had. They even have vegan ranch dressing, which got me pretty excited. The appetizers were also top tier. When I tried their vegan buffalo things I flipped out! There was this one waitress who really impressed me. I said I had a question about one of the local beers and if it contained honey, she said "oh no, it's vegan!" It's knowledge like that which makes customers, especially vegan customers, want to keep coming back.
(5)Mayte D.
Love this spot! Yum. Been here a few times in the past 5 years or so...can't wait to go back : )
(5)Marsha Z.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to come back, as there were so many things on the menu I wanted to try. But when you're trying to do the whirlwind veg tour of PDX, it's hard to go back to the same spot twice. Since I doubt I was going to get another shot at this place soon, I went for the favorite: chicken fried steak (deep fried tempeh, with mashed potatoes and almond gravy). While very tasty, dare I say, it was too much "meat" and potatoes for my liking. They shouldn't charge extra for sides; there certainly was enough room on the plate for some greens (or mac and cheese). It really would've balanced out the dish more. All in all, they seemed to be a standard veggie cafe of largely American fare that serves b-fast, lunch, and dinner. Staff were laid back and friendly, prices, reasonable.
(4)Alicia P.
Close friend decided to become vegan and my first thought, "oh F, there goes going out to eat together." Room mate (who is the unofficial mayor of Alberta) suggests Vita. service was good, place was casual, windows were open wide. Menu is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, but I was still able to have an egg with lunch! The potato cake was amazing, I think it was southwestern style and the sauce was zesty. I also had a smoothie that came in a canning jar. Friend was able to eat her vegan meal (I was too busy eating my meal to notice what she ordered-but she likes it!) and we both suggested we stick with Vita again. I also plan on taking my recently health conscious parents here next month for breakfast.
(4)H M.
Wow, what a joke this place is. We came here for Mothers Day. You know my son & man wanted to take me out for something yummy. For some reason they choose this sh*thole. Ive heard bad stories about this place but I wanted to try somewhere new so I still came here with a clear mind. Not very busy. Open clear tables. Few people waiting so we write our name and sit down. 30 minutes goes by. Everybody else is seated. We aren't. Mind you we were the only people there with a child who is chilling in his stroller. Still open tables...still waiting. Waitress' walks by over 10 times, hostess keeps glancing at list, NO acknowledgement. Still waiting. Finally a guy that was behind the counter comes out checks the list, looks at us, looks at the empty table, walks over to empty table AND KEEPS WALKING. So I ask my man "we've been sitting here for 30 minutes...that tables been empty...should we say something?" So he walks over to the guy who is back behind the counter. Nicely asks if there are any open tables. And whoa were we not expecting his head up the a** attitude! Then it dawned on me...this is one of those Non-Breeder Righteous Vegan dives. So We Left. In no way will I ever support a place that employs trust fund bred hipsters who were never taught to respect others. The amount of employees they had running this place is ridiculous to not have any of them be able to personally interact with the customers even if they don't fit in their "look".
(1)Ryan E.
it never ceases to amaze me; you call something vegan and people think its amazing. i made the mistake of going all out and ordering the chycken fried steak and the fysh and chips the first time i went. DISGUSTING and i like it deep fried. bland unseasoned tofu fried in batter with soggy bottom of the batch fries. the corn cakes are the only thing ive ever liked but seriously how much oil do you have to put in a batch of those things? its like a vegan voodoo donut: minus all animal ingredients, substitute hydrogenated oil. the dish i liked most was a peice of cake and it wasn't made in house - sweetpea maybe? the wednesday happy hour thing they had was about the only tolerable time ive had in this place. i guess you have to get drunk to ignore the food. service wasn't horrible, but the food is about a half step above food not bombs quality. how hard is it to mess up a french fry? its like vegan matrix food - if you believe in it enough, it will stop tasting like deep fried cardboard and turn out however you want/imagine it to taste.
(1)Allyson D.
Visiting Portland for a few days, my friend and I decided to go kayaking right over the border in WA. Without getting into it too much, our 3 hour trip turned into a 6 hour adventure. After starting at 90am and ending around 3pm, we were starving! Luckily I remembered seeing a review of Vita Cafe & had my trusty iPhone to lead the way! The food was heavenly! My friend & I shared the vegan nachos. So fresh! So delicious! Rice may not be something you would think of as a topping for nachos, but it definitely made the dish here along with the super fresh guacamole. My friend had the cold veggie wrap which she declared awesome. I had the buffalo tofu wrap. I'm still thinking about this sandwich. Perfection! It was exactly what I was looking for at that moment of hunger. The buffalo sauce was divine and they put on just the right amount of ranch dressing. I would love another one right now! There was also an assortment of yummy looking vegan treats and cakes for dessert but we were too stuffed to taste any. Service was quick, helpful and nice. A really great vibe to this place. I just noticed that there's a back patio. Will need to check that out next time. Will definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland (hopefully soon!)!
(5)Breanna L.
I stopped in for breakfast recently, I haven't been here in over 6 years. My family and I ordered 1 Thai corn cake, biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito. The corn cake was good, the biscuits and gravy were SUPER salty and the breakfast burrito was pretty good. I probably won't be back for breakfast, but I have had the fishwich and reuben in the past and remember liking them both. I will probably be back for lunch or dinner, I am looking forward to trying the buffalo tofu wrap, which seems to have gotten the best reviews. Staff was friendly, but not too attentive, overall we'll be back, eventually.
(3)Amanda E.
Vita's where I want to go when I've been eating variations of Chinese food for days and all of a sudden, I want something else. The Tofurkey florentine, chicken fried steak, mac & cheese, fishwich, vegan club...and more await me. The food is good and breakfast is served until 4. Sometimes that's exactly what I want to hear. The new building is a little more upscale, I think. Also, on Wednesday evenings they have a happy hour.
(4)Amy H.
Took the family here Wednesday night at 6:15p. There was quite a wait- maybe 40 minutes or so to get a table. They seemed really busy, maybe a little under staffed that night. It was worth the wait I felt for the food, and the price. It might have been so busy because kids eat for $1 between 5-7. Also, they had some great specials- $5 cocktails, I think $3 tap or something, plus a lot of $5 menu items. Our whole party of 5 ate for $35. And that was with my delicious $5 cocktail. One of the kids got the $1 mac and "cheese". It was a generous portion and she really enjoyed it. The other kid got the $5 special fish sandwich. It was a battered tofu patty on a bun. I thought that was just ok. Chicken fried "steak" with mashed potatoes and gravy- pretty good, I am not usually that much of a comfort food person, so hard for me to judge. Didn't taste chili burger or whatever husband got, seemed like he was happy with it. The fries were pretty much my favorite part. chunky with skins, with well done bits. Delicious. Service was satisfactory. Looking forward to going back to try some other menu items!
(4)Gibbs G.
Seriously delicious. The sandwiches and veggie lasagna were solid and tasty, with a pesto sauce that might be the best I've had in a restaurant: not too cheesy, not too garlicky, and not too thin. Basically, excellent. The veggie lasagna was substantial without being a bowling ball. The service was pretty good, too. The hot toddy I had was excellent, too. Faaaar better than the Bloody Mary's at vita. The weird thing was the itty bitty water glasses. I felt like I was a giant drinking from them, and I'm only a little north of 5' 4".
(4)J P.
Wow, PDX crowd is up early today...well, not sure if they are up early every Saturday. I am sure the heck not, i like to sleep in every chance I get :) We went to Vita after not wanting to wait in line at Tin Shed and Helsers. I was skeptical about trying a place I had not heard anything about.....mainly cause I did not want to be disappointed. I was happy the food was good. We both had chicken fried steaks (not real chicken of course), but excellent! The gravy, chicken apple sausage, corn pancake, brown rice and coffee was yummy! Can not go wrong with stumptown coffee...sorry starbucks :( The service was short-handed...but i think it was the cooks...not the waitress fault. The waitress was great. The environment was PDX alternative crowd comfortable.
(4)Karl R.
Great menu, but what really does it for me is the hand dryers in the restrooms. I was actually surprised the cities power grid didn't shut down. I mean the sheer force of the hot air blowing forth made my hands wrinkle like a dogs mouth hanging out of the window of a speeding car. There must be some serious horsepower behind the engine in that thing. You could dry fifty hands with one push of the button. I will return again and again. Thanks!!!
(4)Kitt J.
I used to come here a lot with a boy who very recently (read: today) shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. So you can be sure I mean it when I give the place four stars. The peppered bacon and biscuits here could almost mend my broken ticker. Almost. That's some pretty serious breakfast.
(4)Ash. A.
So, I finally made it to Vita Cafe! It seemed sort of inevitable since I work nearby and I am a pescatarian. Well, firstly let me just say...the drinks here are fantastic. I got the Blue Jay which consisted of a vodka soda with some blueberry puree and orange. I actually felt healthy drinking it since I was putting the toxins in but countering them with the antioxidants from the blueberries.....right? Secondly, the food was very good. The menu ranges from simple sandwhiches and soups ...... to stir-fries and creative Italian dishes. On this particular evening I opted for the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which is a glorified Pho dish. It was pretty good after a heavy dowsing of hot sauce and had a great selection of veggies swimming in the lemony broth. My friend got the Flamin' Tempeh dish. It looked great, but I was too busy eating and drinking my own things to ask for a bite. I will definitely return at a later date for the cheap $5 menu (served all night) and a piece of the wonderfully, delicious looking cakes.
(4)Kathy P.
I've heard great things about this place, so when some friends needed a spot near Alberta to eat and catch up on our lives, we went to Vita Cafe. Wait staff were kind and helpful without being overbearing. I had the Fajitas Platter which could satisfy even a meat eater...it was fresh, tasty and Vegan! It came out on a skillet sizzling and smelling yummy. I also had the greens salad which was fine. And I enjoyed the IPA beer on tap as well. They serve items that meat eaters can enjoy which is nice...so we all get what we enjoy. Popular, busy, tasty and a fun place to eat.
(5)Mishel F.
Yum! amazingly delicious breakfast. I highly recommend the rice porridge and housemade seitan sausages - they are absolutely delicious. The "huevos" rancheros were also great, with a housemade, spicy ranchero sauce over tofu and mixed veggies - delicious. Service was slow and inattentive, but they were packed. I'd definitely be back for more.
(4)Sam M.
Great vegetarian / vegan food with good service. The food here is so good, they really know how to do vegan food right. The menu has a huge selection of delicious food, too bad we only got to eat there twice during our trip to Portland. The second time there, the waiter accidentally forgot to take our order as it was 4th of July weekend and very busy...but he apologized immensely and gave us a small discount on the meal since we had to wait so long. Next time we are in Portland we will definitely be back here to enjoy an awesome meal.
(5)Snow F.
Surly server, and a small portion of salad on a dinner plate cost $10. I left hungry and feeling ripped off. Also, the food here is basically like first-wave vegetarian food, that crappy "pretend bacon" and tempeh shit. Spend your money at Blossoming Lotus or Harlow instead. Even Laughing Planet is better quality than this.
(1)Carina J.
The food was great, the waitress was amazing. The manager? He was the most passive aggressive person EVER and to just come up to our table, nag at us about something and then when we pointed out that there was a 50¢ discrepancy (one we were not caring about paying and said so) in their menu prices and what they charged, he sarcastically offered to get a manager, said he "didn't like" me pointing at him (I was pointing down the list of different prices) while he pointed at me and then stormed back to drop 50¢ on our table. Bravo. I'm never going back. The waitress brought us cake. She's the best.
(2)Yvette B.
Awesome experience during the dinner crowd on a Friday. When I came in the tables were full so I sat at the bar. The servers kept my glass full of water, I was thirsty I had done a lot of walking. As a southern gal turned vegan I've had chicken fried steak before so I was interested in trying a vegan version and it did not disappoint. The gluten free coating they surround the tofu with is spot on! I enjoyed it and the mashed potatoes and gravy. Customer service was great.
(5)Adam B.
Portion size was huge. Kids each got a vegan grilled cheese and could have easily split one and been filled. The large fries was as big as my head. My burger was very satisfying and my husband's special makes breakfast burritos look like tiny ants in comparison! Waiter was attentive abd friendly despite us going at a Sunday lunch rush.
(5)Maybritt R.
My husband wanted some burger so we found this place in the Internet. The sun was shining and we eat outside. The service was perfect, I ordered a burger but asked if we could get him gluten free. Perfect, he was not sure if the tempeh is completely gluten free so I got a burger with a gluten free party and the tempeh extra if I want to try it. The burger was so good, that we forgot to take a picture. The fries also are really good. If you want a good vegan burger go here!
(5)M A.
So I've been back in Portland for less than a week and I've made it to Vita at least 3 times. I don't know if it's a recent addition to the Alberta area or if I was just living on another planet when I did live here, but this place is AWESOME! I've only had breakfast when I go but the Country Comfort is super filling, flavorful, and makes me want to come back over and over again. The almond gravy is the winner on that one, and is totally worth pouring over everything else on the plate (even says my meat-loving mother). She also says the chicken Apple sausage is totally worth it. Additionally, the jam is fab and the scrambles have massive amounts of super fresh veggies! The service has been up and down the couple times that I've gone but I've always left satisfied with the customer service AND food. Plus it's a super cute neighborhood spot so extra star for that.
(5)Kristi F.
I mean honestly...totally worth all five stars. This place has epic vegan brunch food! I had a massive (I mean ginormous) stuffed burrito with loads of potatoes plus a coffee with almond milk cream. My friend had the fried 'chicken' with gravy...heavenly! I think it was battered tempeh? It was so crunchy and so yumm! I'm definitely returning here. Portions are huge and prizes are comparable! Update: So this is like my favorite vegan spot now. Third visit and I had mimosas with a colleague. She had raspberry cider and mine was with grapefruit juice - amazing mimoas, woah! The juice tastes so fresh. I'm not a drinker so I'm picky! Still 5 stars in my book.
(5)Avishek S.
I'm not vegetarian so this may bias my results but I only give this place 3 stars because I was still very hungry after my meal and was not satisfied with how much I paid for my meal. I arrived in a party of eight after a long hike. Of course a vegetarian cafe might not be the best place to go when you're really hungry. And of course it might be better to eat meat to feel full. However since I know the basics of appetite regulation, I knew that carbs are key to feeling full by causing the greatest leptin release which is the hormone that tells your hypothalamus you're full. So I at first was interested in the burger but I don't like eating white bread so I thought about the buffalo tortilla wrap. I noticed there were no carbs inside the wrap so I decided to order the broccoli tempeh dish instead because it comes with brown rice. When it arrived I noticed that there was very little brown rice but a lot of vegetables. I was very pleased with the tangy taste- it was very saucy and having an Indian heritage means I like sauce with rice. However it was the smallest serving of rice I have ever been served so I barely felt like I ate anything afterwards. So I ordered a basic burger which was as the name suggests very basic. No cool sauces or anything unique came with it; I just got some well-done meat, lettuce, and tomatoes, with bread that was a bit burnt. It's not grass-fed to my knowledge and it's not worth $6.50. Also they use Hunt's ketchup which I don't like; I only like the local good ketchups like what they serve at little big burger. I would have paid $7 for the broccoli and tempeh instead of $10.5 and $4 for the burger instead of $6.50. It's important for serious vegetarians to obtain enough calories in their diet. Not eating meat doesn't really make that difficult either but deciding to eat lots of vegetables to feel full and avoiding more calorie dense foods like rice will leave one hungry and lead to health problems down the line. I'm glad I tried this place out, but I would only recommend it to vegetarians that are small and require fewer calories. On the plus side the service was pretty fast.
(3)Ronn S.
Love the corn cakes different from our fl grits all around great food Ronn just the Ronn The hole in the wall food guy
(4)Kerri J.
I felt like this place was very mediocre. I'm not sure if its because I'm not vegan, or because this place is just mediocre. Pros: They have a good selection for a variety of eaters, gluten free, vegan, vegitarian, omnivores, etc. And it was pretty easy to combine gluten free with a lot of the options. Alot of dishes had options to add meat or pick a vegan option - so things weren't off limits most of the time They had breakfast and lunch/dinner food all day We were seated immediately and were able to pick our own table Portions are big Cons: Service was really slow. The wait staff only came back once or twice, and was rarely within reach if you needed them - they were congregated in the back chatting or out of sight. Some things are pricey. Ok 10 dollars for an entree doesn't sound bad, but if you want a burger and fries you have to pay extra for a side of fries. I ordered the lemongrass noodle bowl which was around 10 or 12, and then an extra 4 dollars for spicy shrimp. 4 dollars got me 5 shrimp, and they weren't spicy. They were cooked perfectly though - not overdone like a lot of places, so I will give them that. For some reason I didn't like my noodle bowl. There was nothing wrong with it, the veggies were cooked just right, there were plenty, it all looked really pretty, but for some reason it just left something to be desired. I thought I would love it based off of the description but I just didn't enjoy it and I can't put my finger on why. It could have easily fed me for two meals if I had wanted to bring it home. I got out of there for around 30 bucks for me and my friend which honestly wasn't too bad. My friend loved their entree. With my entree costing around 14 or 16 dollars with the shrimp though, I wish I had spent my money on something else - thats too much money to feel meh about what I'm eating. I think if you have a really diverse crowd with different dietary/eating needs then this place might be a good place to stop. With the combination of slow service, being a pricey for what you're getting/being nickel and dimed for add ons that shouldn't be add ons, and not being a huge fan of what I got, I don't think I'll come back here without trying a lot of other places first.
(3)Karissa B.
My boyfriend and I came to Vita Cafe for a weekday breakfast while staying in Portland. I ordered the PDX breakfast with tofu, breakfast potatoes and a corn muffin. My boyfriend got The Denver with breakfast potatoes as well. The potatoes were delicious and cooked perfectly. But the tofu was really greasy and bland. It didn't have any sort of sauce or seasoning other than pepper. Then the corn muffin was extremely grainy and dry. My boyfriend seemed to enjoy the scramble he got so I think he liked this place a little more than me. Although he agreed about the muffin not being very good. After we finished our meal we had to wait quite a while for our bill because our server was eating breakfast which was kind of odd to me. Overall the breakfast potatoes were great but I thought everything else was mediocre.
(3)Taisiya S.
This place looked cool and we walked from 15th to 30th to get here and we were super hungry and thirsty. Unfortunately, it said to seat yourself at a clean table and we did! But alas, after 5 min of sitting there without so much as a "We'll be right with you!" We got up, looked around at the 2 girls (dark hair and pinkish blonde haired) and decided to leave. Oh well!!
(1)Mark C.
We had a great experience. The veggie burger was good, not great, the soup and fries were amazing. Kale salad was tasty....our server Shelby who is brand new, was excellent
(5)Joaquin G.
Vita is a great brunch spot with awesome vegan options. I do feel however, that although their breakfast is excellent and ambiance pleasant, their fries are really "hmmm" and their cake..is way too expensive.
(3)Emily E.
I don't know how this happened, but their vegan cakes are easily as good as non-vegan. I'm confused, scared and a little excited. The service is slow. slow. slow. But who the heck cares? Enjoy the company you're with. Which should probably just be a piece of cake...you're going to want some alone time.
(5)christina g.
Delicious vegan brunch! They give you a lot of food as well. They have a pretty good cocktail selection as well. The service could be better. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and it took a while to get more coffee and such.
(4)Melissa S.
Mexican corn cakes and Thai corn cakes were phenomenal. Rich in flavor and calories (that's a good thing). Left satisfied. Would easily return if I were ever in the area
(5)Virginia D.
stopped here on my way to Salem for a late lunch. ended up getting the combo plate with vegan biscuits & gravy, housemade sausage & potatoes. It was AWESOME! and only $10. took a slice of vegan pumpkin cheesecake ($7.50!!!) for the road, which I did not realize was also raw. NOT a fan, I was so bummed when I dug into it later that night :( but their non-raw cakes & pastries look tasty, plenty to vegan options. laid back vibe, hipster servers, very Portland
(5)Barbara D.
The vegan buffalo hot sauce tofu wrap was a mouth explosion. Better oral by hot sauce is inconceivable. As good as great sex and much less complicated.
(5)Samantha H.
I've been here many times, and it wasn't until tonight I had thought about writing a review. Tonight I realized I've never had anything here I didn't like. You seriously cannot go wrong with anything on any menu... Unless you add daiya cheese.
(5)Krystal F.
I adore this little vegetarian/vegan friendly cafe! I have been here many times and have been meaning to write an awesome review for a long time. Recently I have been coming to The Vita when I am needing to study and also want lunch. They have free WiFi and many tables with lots of room to spread out. The service here has always been fantastic. Even when they are slow and I am just sitting with coffee and getting some work done they always keep my coffee full and hot. (Organic Stumptown) Everything I have ordered from here has been super tasty and is above my expectations. My favorite so far was when they had a vegetarian French dip on special. I wish this was a regular menu item because I often dream about how amazing it was. Vegetarians never get au jus!!!! I believe they have some great deals offered on Wednesdays as well.
(5)Warren J.
The food is delicious but most of the staff (with a few exceptions) treats you with contempt. A lot of the folks who work here seem angry and hungover. They have been down right rude. They need to get a new attitude. The food is good though.
(3)Dani O.
Tasty food. Lots of gluten free, vegan, healthy options + a burger and fries for the ones who want it.
(5)Sophie L.
If you're vegan/vegetarian, and have a craving for comfort food, this is the place for you. My picky Vegan friend just love the chicken fried steak here after our day of hiking. I got the wraps, and it was as good as VeggieGrill and Native Foods. I also love their reuban sandwich and chicken strips. They even have happy hour menu if you just want to sample a little of what they have.
(4)Monica K.
From the moment we arrived, it was as if we did not exist. We came into a half full restaurant and waited 15 minutes with no acknowledgment. Staff were waiting ten minutes to clear tables and didn't seem to know how to stack plates. There was much shuffling about and the same table was wiped down five times by different people- at least it's clean. While making these observations, we still received no eye contact from anyone there. Once we had finally been seated, we waited another 15 minutes at the table. No water, no eye contact, but a lot of texting servers. Once I finally waved someone down and asked politely for water, they just rolled their eyes at us and asked us to wait for our server (who was leaning against the wall texting). After that happened, we left. Don't know why we were treated so poorly. It was as if we were an annoyance. They should work on friendliness- it's a big deal
(1)Katie L.
Wow! Just wow! Vegan Mac-n-cheese. Check! Thai Curry Soup and Super Green Salad with Herb onion bread. Check! Eating here forever. Check!
(5)Jk G.
Am not Vegan and loved this eatery. Hard to decide on just one dish, tasted the dishes others at our table ordered and they were excellent too. 5 stars
(5)Tonia B.
Loved everything about NE Alberta Street. You have got to add this to your Portland visit. Our waiter Just Dave was great! The food was incredible! Corn cakes are all the rage in Portland and they are delicious. Their house made sausage was amazing. It was also really cool to have a cup of coffee. No espresso machines here. Another memorable vegan breakfast!
(5)Sara O.
Oh yummy!! Great food, nice atmosphere!! Must check out. Especially if you have food allergies, or special eating habits.
(5)Josh P.
Large, diverse menu. Excellent vegan selections. Just close your eyes and point. Can't go wrong here!
(5)Mega M.
If you are going here and expect a vegan establishment you will be pissed. They serve meat and dairy. Fack off
(3)Hayden N.
It was a lazy Sunday morning, took awhile before my friends and I decided it was time to venture out for some food. One of my friend had a visitor that joined us and she is vegan. After discovering there's nothing she could really eat at Sweedeedee, we went over to Vita Cafe. We arrived around 1:30pm and the restaurant was packed with people still waiting to be seated. Needlessly to say, there was a bit of a wait and we were starving since it was a late lunch for us. Once seated and the waiter came by, I ordered a fruit smoothy--I wanted something instantly filling with minimum effort. That consisted of mixed berries, banana, fresh juice and yogurt. It was refreshing, however, I thought $6 was a little steep for something that I could have made at home. I oped for the breakfast burrito: scrambled free range eggs, veggies and chili, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, topped with vegan cheese sauce, salsa and guacamole. Came with a side of potatoes. I thought the breakfast burrito was interesting, it had broccoli and red cabbage which aren't typical vegetables in breakfast burrito--it was good. The chili bought it to a whole different level of goodness. The portion is quite large and I barely made it through half of my meal. They have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans--the food is extremely hearty but a little on the greasy side.
(3)Michelle L.
Great place for herbivores and omnivores alike! I came here for both lunch and breakfast on separate occasions, and both meals were great and reasonably priced. I really liked the ambiance of the place as well! Much of their food is organic, and though the menu consists of almost all vegetarian/vegan options, they provide you the option to add meat without antibiotics or hormones. For breakfast, I got the Country Comfort with free-range eggs (tofu and tempeh also available), which was delicious. Biscuits and almond gravy were great. I find regular meat-based gravy to be way too heavy, so the almond gravy was perfect - creamy without being overwhelmingly greasy. We also got a Fruit Smoothy with tofu instead of yogurt. I was a little skeptical at first since I have never heard of anyone adding tofu to smoothies, but it actually turned out pretty nice! I imagine the tofu was only used for consistency so it didn't interfere with the taste. Overall, I highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch/lunch, regardless of your dietary choices. (They also serve mimosas!)
(5)Brian C.
Very good restaurant. Quite a variety, quick service, great food.
(5)Angie R.
Amazing! You don't have to be vegan, veg, or even health conscious to find this food utterly delicious! Try the spinach salad and the buffalo tofu.
(5)Harry T.
First time here and I was very happy! I had the breakfast biscuit sand which dish. It was yummmmmy! I'm more of a mushroom gravy kinda guy, but the almond gravy was good! My fellow she-squatch had the "chicken" fried steak. My only criticism was that you got the aftertaste of bland tempeh. All in all though, I will definitely be back!!
(4)Breylan D.
Stopped in on a wet and rainy day to have soup and a BLT. This place rocks it! The BLT is done just right; toasted sourdough, fresh and delicious tomato, and of course crunchy bacon (they also offer a vegan option). As for the soup, pretty standard but tasty - I had the vegetable quinoa and would recommend it to a friend. Solid four-star dining experience. Check it out!
(4)Amy L.
SO many positives, I don't know where to begin. Everything here is amazing! Breakfast foods are on point. I'm from the South, and their biscuits and gravy are no joke. Their chicken fried steak surpassed all of my expectations. Their sandwiches are phenomenal, and the service is great. There's a reason that there's always a wait here, and it is so freaking worth it!
(5)Xiaomin Z.
totally love this place. the Thai curry soup is super, the vegan club sandwich is filling and delicious, the veggie version of Reuben sandwich taste like heaven. this is the only true vegetarian friendly place I've been to that does not treat veggie food like an after thought or an inferior version of meat dishes. they treat the veggies and beans with love and respect. the outcome is super delicious food that's good for you and for the environment.
(5)Charles S.
Ordered the daily vegan soup, which was indian lentil and the tempeh broccoli. The soup was good at $6 the portion size was ok. Comes with a side of bread not sure what kind of bread it was but it was good. Now the tempeh broccoli was good flavour however not enough broccoli or veggies. Also for 10.50 the portion was extremly small. The plate was not full. Honestly to me i feel ripped off. That plate should have been full to the top. Especially paying $10.50 the broccoli florets were tiny and their werent that many. Also the sauce over powered the dish. I mean the small amount of brown rice ended up being saturated with the sauce so it became to sweet to enjoy. I will come back, ill be sure to try some thing else.just hope i dont reget my next visit Atmophere is very nice. Waiter and waitress were very attentive and firendly.
(3)Ross A.
Great price for portions. The food is terrific. If you're visiting the Portland area, and looking for a vegan/veg-friendly place...this should be on your list.
(4)Jess M.
My husband and I split a veggie cheesesteak sandwich and salad for lunch. The seitan in the cheesesteak was amazing and the bread was really tasty. It was also pretty large, so splitting it worked well. The service was friendly and very fast for a noon time meal on a Saturday. We sat at the counter which has metal bike gears inlayed into the bar top. The smoothies also looked pretty tasty as we got to watch several of them being made.
(5)Eric S.
So many good things. Lots of booths- Lots and lots of bathrooms (with high powered air dryers) - Good coffee with refills - Friendly attentive service Tons of vegan or veggie options Great old country/singer songwriter music - I had the country comfort with biscuits and gravy it was good not great but I am very excited to come back and try more things here.
(4)Jake W.
Very neat place. I'm a vegan, I get the vegan food. But most if not all of my friends are non vegans, so this a good place to go. They can get their meat.... Haha, while I get my tofu and stuff. Went for a birthday, and the waitress was super nice. We had 11 people. Very cool atmosphere. GO THERE NOW! Con: they only allow two cards per table.
(5)Jason K.
Not bad. I had their BLT with fakin and really liked it. Also tried their chili cheese fries and they were fine. I wasn't blown away. Only three draft beers on offer. The pilsner was decent. Looks like they have a bunch of cake type desserts. They looked great, but I fought the urge. Many vegetarian and vegan options, but anyone with just about any kind of diet could find something to try on this eclectic menu.
(4)Ashley M.
So sad that I had an experience warranting me lower my five star rating to a two star rating. My fiance and I were out to dinner here one night, and came into the restaurant at exactly 9pm, with an hour of business left. I am a server myself, and understand how frustrating it is when people come in close to closing time. However, it is the servers job to make the costumers feel comfortable, the costumers are the ones paying for the food that they're eating and are most likely tipping you. That being said, I felt bad already going in an HOUR before they closed. We received our food at approximately 9:25. At this time there were still about 3 or 4 groups of people in the restaurant STILL EATING, not just camping at a table, still eating the food they paid for. The servers began to stack chairs on tables, they turned the music off and then, at 9:40, 20 minutes BEFORE they close, They SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS! They shut off the entire middle section of lights. There were several people now eating in the dark. Including my fiance and me. I was shocked. We left, and tipped because the food still tasted good. But, we will probably not come back for a while. Which is a shame, because we came here very regularly. Servers, if you hate your job so much, give it to someone who will give a damn. Sincerely, a sad costumer.
(2)Ben C.
Vita Cafe is one of the best places to convert your vegan hating friends into a full blown veg head! Their entire menu looks like it could be smothered in meat, but it's vegetarian's dream!
(5)Jarrod S.
I love this place. The staff is awesome, always recommending things or complementing my beer/brunch pairings, but hey its 12 and your menu is impossible to choose from. The Benedicts are awesome and I have tried many things, but nothing compares to the downright decadence that is a vegan country fried steak with almond gravy and potatoes. HOLY HELL! it's the best vegan gravy I have had yet! The place seems to be more of a neighborhood spot than a place trying to be the next sizzle and fade. Most seem like they are regulars. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan, and they have specials every time I have been there. I find myself coming here more often even though I moved further away. I can't wait to try more "not breakfast' options, but they do it better than I know how, Until then I'll keep eating the same thing over and over and over.
(5)Sara P.
My first stop into Portland, was to Alberta street. My friend and I were both starving and headed straight to Vita Cafe. My friend got the mexican corn cakes made with red bell peppers, topped with vegan sour cream, guac and salsa. Very good! Vegan nachos, best vegan nachos I've had to date. Tortilla chips topped with beans, brown rice, black olives, salsa, guacamole and vegan cheese sauce. Four beers on tap, a wide variety of hard alcohol and some wines. Happiness for all. Service was lack luster, I mean they could seriously care that you decided to eat there. Maybe it's because it was two in the afternoon and they rather not have to work at all?
(3)Jasmine S.
Last time I got the veggie burger LOVED it with the bloody marry yummy! This time the vegan club with coffee DELISH! This place is great friendly staff friendly customers just a very great positive atmosphere. #teamvitacafe
(5)Alison M.
I came in for a lovely breakfast with two of my friends who are both vegan and gluten free, this was a perfect option for all of us to find something we would like. I was a big fan of the corn cakes with hazelnuts. The furniture and decor is rather eclectic, right in line with the neighborhood. Most recently I ordered takeout for my friend who took me the first time and had a baby, it was easy and efficient.
(4)Connor D.
As I traveled through Portland this time around I did my customary search for vegetarian friendly places for lunch. Not too easy to narrow down as Portland has a phenomenal array of vegetarian restaurants, food trucks, and places with veggy options. This time I stumble upon Vita Cafe, mostly based on it being in the neighborhood that I needed to go. The cafe was easily walked to from mass transit lines and easy to find. Note, there is a coffee roasters/shop a block away that has a similar name, Cafe Vita. Atmosphere at Vita is a rough vegan grunge one. I mean this in a nothing-but-positive way. As such, I was greatly looking forward to the food. The server was very kind and helpful in recommending tea options for me. I was not hungry enough for this meal (which bummed me out) but I was content to share a meal with my boyfriend. We got the "chicken" fried steak and oh I can't even explain how wonderful it was! It was made with tempeh, although the texture was fairly smooth more like seitan and lightly breaded on the outside; covered in vegetarian gravy (almond base) and served with breakfast potatoes. There aren't any vegetables served with it, so I added a side of steamed veggies. They are seasonal but this time included broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage, and carrots. For simple steamed veggies, this little side dish was a major win. I am happy I added it! All of the members of our party were happy with their meals. Note, most of the fake meats on the menu are tempeh (including the fake bacon). Please keep this in mind if you are not a fan of tempeh. Five stars for great options, good service, and the best "chicken" fried steak and gravy I have ever had!
(5)Holly R.
I'm not even a vegetarian and I can't stop thinking about the chicken fried steak and almond gravy. Mm-k?!
(4)Mary M.
My husband and I went to Vita Cafe a few different times while visiting Oregon and each time the experience was great. There food was absolutely wonderful, staff were friendly, prices are more than reasonable, and atmosphere is laid back and inviting. Although I can only speak from the short time we were there, I feel it's safe to say that this place will not disappoint those who go and it is definitely worth going to.
(5)Lori P.
This is going to be a place I return to over and over again. The tofu lasagna with pesto and marinara was amazing. It made two full meals but could have made three. My husband got the pasta with Kale and sausage and loved it both then and leftover. We split the carrot cake and didn't even notice it was vegan. The service was outstanding! A keeper.
(5)Laura H.
I'm giving this place 3 stars because I eat meat. My roommate would probably give it 4 because she's a vegetarian. I've only had the burger and it was good. I have sampled my roommate's fare and it was ok. Fresh ingredients that are organic are used here. Don't mistake this play for Cafe Vita which is half a block away and is a coffee shop. WHY WOULD SOMEONE EVER OPEN UP TWO ALMOST IDENTICALLY NAMED FOOD PLACES 40 PACES FROM EACH OTHER????!!!!!!!!
(3)Dave A.
Vita is an absolutely great brunch bet for vegans, vegetarians and diners of all varieties thanks to a large, flexible menu that should easily satisfy everybody. The neighborhood hipsters with their young families were willing to brave 20min table waits while I was there so they must be doing something right. I tried the vegan "chicken fried steak" (which is actually tempeh) served smothered in a rich vegetrarian gravy which is accompanied by a massive order of breakfast potatos and both were fantastic, although I did notice the potatoes were no longer piping hot by the time the plate hit the table. Not so fantastic was the house Bloody Mary which was oddly thick and frankly somwhat gross, even so I chugged it down to curb the hunger during the 20 min. wait for the main order to arrive. I also returned the side of thick whole grain toast which just didn't work for me in flavor or texture and the kind staff took this off the bill with no questions. Overall I enjoyed the meal and I'm curious about some of the other vegan dishes but I probably wouldn't return until trying a few other breakfast joints while visiting Portland next time.
(3)Heather C.
Yum! Vegan food galore! I had the reuben with tempeh. I also ordered the side of fries, which can definitely be shared between 2-3 people ... so I didn't eat all of my fries. Anyway, plenty of options on the menu, beers, non-alcoholic beverages, desserts! The service was great, the food came out fast and when it's warm outside, the windows are open! Definitely coming back here!
(4)Khem C.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner here is great for group and dates! Chill spot to get something in your system before a night out on the town or just out on Alberta's bars! Service is great to say the least, and oh yeah... did I mention it's a vegan joint!
(4)Nikki H.
I got my lazy ass on two bus rides across portland to come here because the food is just that fucking good. i highly recommend everything. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of the dishes here. My girlfriend says that eating the sloppy biscuit sandwich made her a better man. Go forth and enjoy!!!
(5)James A.
Ive been visiting and touring on the west coast a lot for a couple years.now so im used to a laid back attitude. That being said, this was probably the slowest service I have ever received. From being seated to getting orders in, to waiting 25 mins for coffee. The two stars are for the kitchen staff who killed it. Food was awesome. The waiting made me want to flip tables or fly back to the hustle of the northeast asap. Cant decide.
(2)Campbell B.
I dined here with a friend for lunch on Saturday. The negative: It was very crowded, but the wait was only about 15 minutes. The service was a little slow and inattentive and people kept knocking into me as they walked by our table. The positive: The cafe is cute, the food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are pretty cheap. This is the place I will be taking my foster mother from Chicago when she comes to visit since everything about this place screams Portland and she doesn't believe that vegan food can be delicious.
(4)Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: A good choice if you have various food needs among a group of people. Menu is a nice balance of vegetarian v. omnivore. I might have gone up another star but this is my first time in this place and had a slow service. Food was starting to get cold as it was set down at the table. We arrived close to 1 on a Saturday and while a good amount of people were at tables most had already received orders. Took about 20 min for a waiter to take an order and a good 30 min after that for food to arrive. Food was good, enough for my friend to take home half of her wrap. For myself I got a breakfast plate (2x2x2) of eggs sausage and corn cakes. Never having corn cakes before I thought I would try them and they were a good choice. Their sausage is chicken apple and has good flavoring for the breakfast minded. The tables they have chosen at the restaurant are too squarish for what I think is optimum for conversation with others. I felt I was sitting too far away to hear well and with the small dishs I am not sure why provide all the space between. This is what I believe leads to some others to talk about the loud atmosphere. Overall after looking at the menu I will have to give this place another chance and try it at some other time and day to see what changes.
(3)Archie R.
SUPERGRAIN SALAD: So so so tasty .Eat it with the lemon tahini dressing to bring out the flavor even more. The home mad herb onion bread was so tasty. A wonderful place, with a very nice vibe to it .
(5)Rehan K.
Just flew in from San Francisco and had dinner at this cafe. The Italian pasta was outstanding and the buffalo tofu wrap was fantastic!! Highly recommended!
(5)Thom D.
Portland BLT review: If it's all about bacon for you, Vita taps highest pig content. Lean too. I was so impressed with the bacon, I really wanted to overlook the mushy tomato. Alas, I can't. Rules are rules, and to make 4 stars for me, the ingredients have to be on-spot. Too bad, because everything else was amazing. Crunchy lettuce, and perfectly toasted and tasty sour dough. Fast service too. Took less than 10 minutes and I was on my way. Nice relaxed vibe. I'm sure if I try other things on the menu, I'd be forced to raise my rating... or just review Vita under different light, other than in search of the best BLT. Big plus, these guys are right across from the Alberta Rose where I spent the evening listening to Matt Brown and Naomi Laviolette. Fantastic venue.
(3)Graycen A.
The staff is always friendly, awesome and go out I their way to help you. The food is great, full bar!!
(5)Robin Z.
Great brunch here, which the wife and I hit up all the time. A myriad of hearty vegan/veggie dishes to cycle through... the menu stays consistent but it never seems to get any less satisfying for us. Go for the "chicken" fried steak, "turkey" florentine (what kind of crack do they put in that vegan hollandaise sauce btw), tofu "fishwich"... they're all great. And as a french fry connoisseur, Vita has awesome ones. The staff is super friendly, and they keep the coffee flowing.
(4)Ralph M.
This is the best brunch place on Alberta. It is by far the best if you are vegan or vegetarian. Every dish is money, I've been here enough to try them all. Pro tip: country comfort is a ton of food if you are ready. Dinner is good too here. The buffalo tofu wrap is great and the club sandwich is unreal. Go here and eat food.
(5)Erin B.
Mm yummy. Oh my nummy. YUMMY. Did I say yummy? Seriously the BEST vegan food I have had. Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu., I highly recommend the breakfast burrito with tofu, and for dinner the tempeh fish and chips.It can get crowded, but the wait is never too long. Only small gripe is the waiters are hard to flag down and they don't check up on you much to see how your doing, offer refills, dessert, etc. But this will not stop me from returning!!!!!! NOM!
(5)Parker T.
The service over our last ten or so visits since August has been much more prompt & friendly. The food quality & consistency is as good as it's ever been in our opinion.
(4)Terra F.
*3.5 stars* We love the large private booths, relaxed environment and friendly service. We ordered (all vegan and gluten free) the tofu-based "buffalo things," tofu-based "fish n chips," and tempeh-based "chicken fried steak." All three items were good, but not great as they were a bit too fatty/oily for us (comparing to Cornbread in Eugene that serves similar comfort foods). We wished the "buffalo things" were more crisp and it would have been nice if the "chicken fried steak" came with a side of veggies to balance everything out. Also, I've had better vegan ranch sauce at other restaurants and the tartar sauce was a bit off. Overall, there are just some minor things that could be better, but we did enjoy our meal and would likely come back.
(3)Martha C.
You won't be disappointed! Mexican corn cakes are yummy! The staff is friendly and happy to answer questions no matter how busy they are. Get there early to sign up for weekend food otherwise you'll be waiting for awhile.
(5)Ally J.
I was having a glorious morning and wanted to go out and grab some mid day breakfast! So I ended up choosing vita because the menu looked dank! I ordered the vita scramble with tempeh with brown rice and house made toast! And holly cow it was so so amazing! The portion was just right and filled me up with out the way down of being full! The toast was to die for so yummy and made perfectly and I recommend getting there house made jam! Wow was that tasteful! Yes a five star from me because im still smiling from how great the food was! And the service was really good had two friendly faces to serve me how special! And the food came out quick! Ahhhhh its a must to go here! Ill def be back! O and the biggest plus breakfast is served till 3! Ow ow
(5)Valerie N.
After a day of touring wineries in the Willamette Valley, I needed some deep fried comfort food, but it had to be gluten free and it had to be vegan. Sounds impossible, right? Not at Vita. Vita offered at least a few options that met my requirements. I ordered the vegan gluten free fish & chips expecting something sad, but it was surprisingly great. Somehow they made deep fried breaded tofu taste like a fish substitute, and it was magically gluten free. The vegan tartar sauce was pretty good, but would have been better with some capers in it. It was exactly what I wanted. The service was pretty fast and friendly. I will definitely return the next time I'm in Portland.
(4)Christopher O.
I love Vita Cafe. The staff is always friendly and as a vegan triathlete, the portion sizes are exactly what I need! Whatever the special is - get it - you won't be disappointed.
(5)Eve V.
The staff was super friendly, the atmosphere was laid back, and the food was delicious! We all loved our food: vegan nachos, philly cheese steak, fries, vegan lasagna...great stuff!!
(5)Eliana S.
best best food ever!!!! every single employee is outstandingly nice, great drinks and super cool atmosphere. i live far far southeast and i drive up here at least once a week. also, *ahem* THEIR HOUSE MADE HERB BREAD IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BREAD E V E R. i order 2-3 sides of it every single time i come.
(5)Mayra C.
Went here on a Friday morning for breakfast, very tasty. Loved the potatoes. Went back on a Sunday evening for dinner and it was delish! Coctail was also very good.
(4)Chiemi N.
Vita Cafe was more of a 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because they offer a wide variety of creative vegan/vegetarian dishes. A tip: don't confuse Vita Cafe for Caffe Vita that is about a block away. Lucky for me, I was a little early for a breakfast I was hosting, and I was able to secure a table for my party of seven. I had been having a craving for biscuits and gravy. That used to be one of my breakfast favorites. I have given up pork, so no more biscuits and gravy from most of the breakfast joints I frequent. I did a search of places that have vegan biscuits and gravy, and Vita Cafe came up. I was a little disappointed with my biscuits and gravy, the gravy was like a brown gravy instead of the country gravy I had been craving. I know I've had vegan gravy similar to the country gravy that I was seeking...I need to remember where! The other breakfasts that my fellow diners ordered looked delicious, so I am inclined to go back and try again! Oh, another tip: I thought this cafe was strictly vegan or vegetarian, but I discovered they serve bacon and meat sausage, so you can bring your omnivore friends here! The picture I am posting is my fellow diner's breakfast!
(4)Randy S.
We've only gone for breakfast, but everything I've had here is amazingly good. We try to make it a weekend ritual. If you're looking for good quality vegetarian and/or vegan grub, check this place out. I've also noticed they usually have pretty good beer on tap as well. Word to the wise, if you don't want to wait for a table at breakfast, get there before 9am (which is true for any decent breakfast joint in PDX).
(5)Kim J.
This is one of my regular neighborhood spots. Yes, I'm vegetarian, which as we all know is an old Indian word for "bad hunter." As with any place you go, you'll like it more if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Here's a few hints of what to expect: - Good food, much of it veggie or vegan, at a reasonable price. - Authentic wait staff, by which I mean they're being themselves and you might just find out if they're having a challenging day at work (don't we all?). You'll also know if they're having a great day, and your day will probably be brightened as a result. - Their menu is eclectic, but seems to have a basis in diner/American fare, with a veggie/vegan twist of course. - In my experience they're usually fairly busy around mealtimes (it's always reassuring when a restaurant has diners in it) but rarely are they packed. I recommend this place for both the food and for the atmosphere. Not a five star, but a solid four.
(4)Lance B.
Excellent - I can't say enough about this place. The vegetarian cheeseburgers and fries are awesome. Everything is. The veggie chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is awesome. I love it all. Their house drinks are great. The staff is always excellent. The prices are right where they should be. Check it out...
(4)Vincent R.
This place is pretty great. I mean, I eat here anywhere from 2 to 10 times a month, so I'm obviously a fan. If you've ever been to Chicago Diner, think of this place as slightly less variety with the menu, throw in a decent amount of real animal meat options, add a Portland twist on the service and you get this place. It's great because it's like high-er quality diner food with some healthy options and some meat options. A good place for people that are afraid of vegetarian food. A great place to bring a meat eater because they can order a hamburger and I can order the buffalo tofu wings (The Buffalo Things are like this super addicting, probably unhealthy, tofu thing that's marinated in a sauce that must have some sort of addictive substance in it), lentil soup and a fried tempeh steak all in the same place. If you have a partner that eats meat and you don't, this place can be a great band-aid on a strained relationship, unfortunately the band-aid always ends up falling off. Wow this just got dark fast. haha Like most places in Portland you never really feel like anyone working here is excited that you just walked in, but that doesn't mean the service is bad or the people are rude. It's always prompt and efficient. You'd think the staff was being curt, but really that's just how it is here, it's like a nicer version of curt. I secretly love that about the place, I can read a few articles of the NY Times or the WSJ on my smartphone or my laptop, take my time eating and forget I'm even in a restaurant. It's nice. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I feel like on Sundays it's really the only place I can go to that doesn't have a 2 hour wait list, so I love coming for a nice brunch and Mimosa. The place has a good mix of straight couples in their 50's who drive a Prius who just had their first baby, as well as hipsters, anarchists, and then the occasional random chick who accidentally ended up here because she thought she was meeting her match.com date at Caffe Vita (a coffee shop with the inverse name a block away.) If you're down for some casual vegan/veg comfort food check this place out. If your'e dating or friends with a heathen that still eats meat, this is the place for ya as well. Enjoy!
(4)J H.
Great all vegatarian menu.. raw food dish also. Very good amount for price....much better deal then snooty place next door.
(5)Gina B.
So you decided to give yourself a tip on a to go order? Could not believe the nerve of some people. Giving themselves tips on a to go order! **Warning!** Watch your receipts and compare them to your bank statement. These guys like to give themselves tips when you get to go orders. Who knows what they do when you sit down to eat there. On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, I checked my bank statement and saw that my card was charged an additional $2. Both my other co-worker checked their receipt and bank statement again. They too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. I called to speak with a manager (Ryan) and get it corrected on my card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before saying they would adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. Vita, your food was AWESOME but your service and the scamming drove me and my co-workers away. I will make sure that this is viewed here and Facebook. Get your act together people!
(1)Madame M.
I finally was able to visit Vita and it was not too shabby. Good 1. Parking was easy to find (strange for Alberta) 2. Large Menu 3. Tasty Veggie Burgers 4. Nice local artwork on the walls Bad 1. Loud as everything in there. PLEASE, if you have an already crowded restaurant, TURN OFF THE MUSIC! People go to restaurants to eat and enjoy the company they are with or have a nice meal in peace. If I want loud music, I will go to a nightclub. Shouting at my lunch guest is not a relaxing experience. 2. Kind of lame when fries (which were oil sponges) are a separate charge from burgers and sandwiches. Most restaurants sell those together. 3. Service was lackluster. Not very personable and they messed up on our order and were snarky about it. With a few tweaks they could be awesome. Then again, no restaurant is perfect. I will give it another try, just will bring my earbuds.
(3)Miranda O.
I saw other reviewers say they wanted to give this place less stars for the service, but caved because they like the food. If I wanted delicious food, but didn't want to take service into account, I'd eat at home. This used to be one of my all-time favorite places to eat when I first became vegan. Presently, I've been vegan for about 3 years, and now that Dovetail isn't next to Vita Cafe anymore, it's lost a lot of its initial appeal for me. They serve breakfast until 3 PM, which is pretty awesome. I like the Faux Turkey Florentine, Vegan Breakfast Burrito, and anything smothered in that almond gravy of theirs. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap, Vegan Club, and Veggie Burger are good for lunch or dinner. Having said all that, I don't plan on going back here. I used to come very regularly with my boyfriend and, with just the two of us, the service was usually okay. The staff is usually nice, but some are not super attentive when it comes to refills or getting a check. Over time, the service and food have become very inconsistent. Even though the setting suggests that they would encourage you to bring large groups there (big booths and a bar), every single time we've had to split a check with more than three people it's been a huge ordeal. The server will always make some sort of comment about it before hovering over the register for 15 minutes with at least 2 other employees. This used to be my go-to spot for eating with omni friends and family because they offer salmon, beef burgers, bacon, real cheese, and eggs. Unfortunately, every time I brought someone, something went amiss. The server would seem visibly put off by something or the food would be inconsistent and would take a long time. In conclusion, the food is pretty good if you know what to order, but there are better places to spend your money.
(3)Wyndra A.
I appreciate the options. Their mixed drinks are dynamic. The prices are pretty good. I always expect more from the food. It looks beautiful but when I get it it's always over spices in someway. The salsa for example overwhelms whatever it's on. Their gravy which I am a connoisseur of is way to salty and otherwise lacking. But today I had the BEST server!!! I always appreciate the skills of a good server but this lovely human was beyond, a Master of service! Her name is Shannon and she wears glasses and she is a reason to eat at the Vita Cafe!
(4)Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Some dishes are amazing. Some are not at all. Depends what you get. Best vegan nachos in Portland. Worst cheesesteak ever- It's mostly bread. This place is less good version of The Chicago Diner.
(3)Dana S.
BUFFALO TOFU WRAAAP. SHIT'S LEGIT. I had vegan ranch all over my face because I was eating it like an animal. Felt the need to share that. It was awesome. I want to eat it for life. Also got the vegan club. A double-decker 'wich on sourdough with tempeh bacon, homemade fake turkey and other thingies. Mad good! The fake turkey was ridic! And no, I did not eat both of these by my lonesome, but I probably could have. I could also eat all those desserts in the case. I will definitely be getting a slice of chocolate mint cake next time.
(5)Elizabeth M.
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!!! This is a fabulous place for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike... Went for the first time today (finally!) and met my Dad for lunch. I ordered the vegan club, which was amazing and he ordered the Reuben w/ tempeh and real Swiss cheese, he said it was good and different LOL! We shared a basket of humongous fries and dipped them into the homemade vegan ranch dressing ~ so good! Also, we used some of the homemade Dijon mustard for our sammies which has the most perfect amount of kick to it. The show stopper? Their "quick pickled cucumbers" ~ OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! But sadly, they do not sell them :o( Wait staff was wonderful and very helpful. The location is actually much larger than I was expecting and pleasantly surprised with how available street parking was. Overall, exceptional experience and will most certainly be making return visits!
(5)Gregory Z.
I had a great Reuben sandwich that came with some homemade tasting pickles. Good service.
(4)Elizabeth R.
The only thing that this place has going for it, is it's mostly vegan. The food isn't great, the portions are small and it's over priced. Throw in a snobby server and you have the perfect hipster vegan restaurant. Its a good place if you want vegan and a drink but don't expect great food and be prepared to spend more than what the food and drink is worth.
(3)Tommy T.
Vita cafe is a great choice for lots of options on the menu, probably most all of them being delicious in their own way. I've had many things on the menu like the mac and cheese, the fishwich, the salmon burger, the lemongrass noodles, etc. My girlfriend and I agree that their fries are some of the best in Portland, if not the best we've had thus far. They seem to be pretty busy most of the time, so that usually speaks for itself. If you're looking to get the service you might have at a high scale restaurant or Outback, this is probably not your cup of tea. You're not going to have a bubbly idiot for a server, but you will have someone who will bring you what you want if you ask for it, and make sure you get your food in a timely manner. I will be eating here in the future for sure, because it has always been a good choice so far and it's nice to have a place with reliable food. My girlfriend is vegetarian, and she likes how many choices she can have for amazing food. Because she always lets me try her food, I think the veggie dishes are delightful. A perk for Portland.
(5)Lili K.
Some of my favorite dishes, in order: -Seitan Fajita Platter: A lot of food, and great for sharing! -Lemongrass Noodle Bowl: Tastes better than the menu makes it sound -Vegan Reuben There are some disappointing items on the menu, but the hits make it worth coming back for. And take advantage of $5 Wednesdays! $5 dinner for certain entrees and sandwiches (check the chalkboard). I usually eat here after 7:30pm on weekdays and I've never had to wait for a table.
(4)Chels J.
A brunch menu that can satisfy meat eaters (you can sub real bacon for the faux meat options), vegetarians, and vegans alike. My vegan friend loved the "eggs" florentine (she had tofu in place of eggs). The rest of our table each ordered the country comfort. The potatoes were quite good, and I love me some biscuits and gravy - but my goodness was this gravy salty!! And my poached eggs were just a tad undercooked. Also, the biscuits were quite dense, like they needed to be cooked a little more to fluff up a bit. I'm not sure if they were the vegan biscuits or not, I wasn't asked for an option so they might have been. I wanted to run over quickly to Pine State Biscuits and substitute those biscuits into this dish. Sorry Pine State, I won't cheat on you again. Lesson learned. Good option though if you're vegan, since Pine State isn't exactly vegan friendly.
(3)RJ H.
The tale of two Portland s...Meat and Meatless....We're Vegan but we're flexible .....seitan or real bacon....you choose. and that's what I like about the Vita. Their are days where Vegan suits me just fine and there are others where I just want a real BLT ..... Seat yourself...there's always seems room at the bar ....The wait staff friendly and fit the description of" Vegan Restaurant" nicely. Come on ...Tempah and free range beef burgers on the same menu???? Brilliant.! The Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese ( and choose real fries or steamed Broccoli ....your choice.) A decent wine and beer option......go with one of their rotating drafts ( seems to change a bit often so you'll need to ask or go hipster PBR- Tall boy). I love options and this little restaurant provides the best of both worlds ... whether you are steeped in Portland or just stepped off the plane from Dallas TX., you'll come away satisfied.
(4)Greg B.
Not a whole lot that hasn't been said already. Always friendly service, great food and coffee, and a consistently good, if small tap list. highly recommend it!
(5)Kelly B.
I went here with friends on my first visit to Portland for Saturday dinner during President's Day weekend. I had the 'Flamin' Tempeh, Broccoli & Carrots($9.50): steamed broccoli, carrots, jicama, red onions and organic tempeh with sweet ginger hoisin sauce over brown rice. It was delicious, the first time I've seen tempeh on a restaurant menu (which made me very happy!), the atmosphere was quiet and we had attentive service. I highly recommend.
(4)Amanda B.
I've been going to the Vita Cafe regularly for 7 years. Great vegan food, plus they have options for my meat/dairy-eating friends & family. They make a good, strong margarita and have a solid selection of beers. My husband has several food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy), and they accommodate him, no problem. You can ask to see the ingredients list if you're concerned about allergens. They are kid-friendly, and a couple of times we've had groups of about 10 people there for dinner & had them push together a couple of tables for us, though there isn't a ton of room for larger groups. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is fun & relaxed. They have daily specials that have been excellent every time I've ordered one. I'll continue to be a regular and will always bring my out-of-town guests to the Vita!
(5)Tara W.
ATMOSPHERE: casual café, nice big windows, good for small to medium sized groups, kids welcome. SERVICE: ok...a little slow even though they weren't that busy and our server didn't check in after two bites/two minutes. However I've come to expect this in Portland. FOOD: I had soup & salad; Thai Coconut soup and the Spinach Salad. My fiancé had the special, that night vegan enchiladas. The bottom half of my soup was cold (and since our server never checked on us I couldn't get it reheated) and my salad was VERY overdressed, to the point I left most of it on the plate. This was all a real shame because the flavors were all there! So I took the soup home to heat up myself, but sadly left the salad behind cuz there was no saving it. My fiancé said his plate was ok. We shared a side of fries because they looked amazing as they past by to another table. Golden brown, on the thicker cut side...Unfortunately, half of our fries looked amazing and tasted ok, while the other half were the dregs of the fry station. Ya know, those little crust/crisps that have been in the fryer too long. Ironically, I would have cooked the better tasting fries longer. OVERALL: I am hoping we hit this place on an off night. The flavors were all there, and if the place hadn't hyped itself up to be such a "foodie" spot I think it would have been less underwhelming. I will give them another try at it, and I am rooting for them.
(3)Nicole F.
one of my favorite vegan eats in portland. every time i think i have found my favorite item on the menu and that i will keep ordering myself the same delicious dish until the day i die... i somehow convince myself to try something new. and i'm always thrilled that i did. some of my favorites: vegan club sandwich. faux turkey florentine. and anything with the almond gravy is exquisite.
(5)Reymond D.
Vita Cafe is one of my favorite places to chow the f#ck down in Portland. They do vegan food RIGHT! It's just vegan comfort food at its best - delicious and filling. The first time we ate at Vita we brought veggie friends from out of town here and we all lost our goddamn minds. We were passing around each other's plates and freaking out how good the food was. It was the kind of shameless pigging out that you can't even stop from happening. I think the favorite I've tried is the vegan chicken fried steak. I was skeptical at first but woa. It's some kind of wonderful. The service is good - attentive, pretty friendly. Nothing over the top to write home about, but nothing bad or off-putting either. If you are looking for bomb vegan food, this is the spot!
(5)Katherine M.
We went there during a last Thursday, and it was, unsurprisingly, very busy. However, our party of four got seated very promptly. The wait was around 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad, considering the amount of people in there. I got the chicken fried steak and the bf got the seitan cheesesteak. Tempeh is probably my least favorite vegetarian protein, but I still like to try it when I go eat out since I just want to see if someone actually manages to make it taste good to me. Vita Cafe managed to make tempeh taste pretty good to me, although deep frying it probably helped. The mashed potatoes that came with it was nothing special though. It was kind of bland and dry. The same goes with the gravy. It had a weird taste to it, although it probably was just because it was the first time I've had almond gravy. My boyfriend's cheesesteak was pretty good. It was a nice, and very convincing, alternative to real cheesesteak. Service was nice and prompt. We'll maybe try out their other menu items the next time we're in the Alberta area.
(3)Emma V.
This is a great option if you have omnivores, herbivores and vegans all trying to eat together. They have great breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Super casual. Full bar. They open the windows when the sun is out, which makes up for the lack of patio.
(4)Shannon M.
One of my favorite places to eat when I visit Portland. Almost everything is vegan and only once did I get something I didn't like, the turkey florentine, and that's only because I'm not a fan of nutritional yeast which it is clearly full of. The nachos are amazing! The fish and chips taste like fish! Love love love this place. Breakfast time? Get the biscuits and gravy ;) You're welcome.
(5)Kelsey R.
I recently visited this restaurant because of a positive review in Portland Monthly. I went with someone who is lactose-intolerant because the magazine highly rated their vegan mac and cheese. It was alright, but it just tasted like noodles with sauce instead of anything like mac and cheese. I got the mushroom and onion burger. I was pleasantly surprised to see some meat on their menu. When the burger came however the patty itself was really rather small. The person I was with thought it was a portobello mushroom. It tasted fine - there was just little to it. We were extremely hungry when we arrived, and left still pretty hungry and made a trip to Popeye's. The waitress was nice and the service overall was decent.
(1)Kevin E. F.
Like the staff. Like the selection. Unfortunately, it is phony. Phony because they have no integrity regarding the ingredients but can have corn syrup in sauces and condiments. Confronted the owner on this, his reply was "The good news is you don't have to eat it." He said it twice! So I suggest you take his advice. You might want to know that Mr. Woo is also the owner of Natural Selections.
(1)Patti F.
Yes, vegetarians love this place - including me. Where do I begin - well, first I waited to go here at least twice before I decided to write a review. My first experience was SO great, that I wanted to be sure and went back again for dinner, and then again for breakfast, and then again for dinner...you get where I'm going here. I am now a regular, and will remain. The menu is quite lengthy - for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu. AND if you want "real" meat (hack, barf, spew) - they actually have that on the menu too (which I obviously haven't and won't be trying). So, this is not exclusively vegetarian/vegan - they will give you "real" meat if you insist - but who does that at a Vegetarian place, hmm? I've had the buffalo things - and SO happy I tried them. Tofu sticks covered in buffalo sauce. Why is this a big deal? Because I've never had "real" buffalo wings, for obvious reasons, so I was really excited to finally taste "buffalo sauce" - YUM! I've had the chicken fried steak (tempeh), mashed potatoes with almond gravy (V, GF) and I keep ordering it. I've had the Thai pasta - great! I've had multiple salads, sides, breakfast, etc. and enjoyed it every time. My ONLY gripe (which is likely based upon my own misunderstanding) - when there is a wait, and the bar is empty...I don't get why we end up waiting an hour (staring at the open bar), to finally have our name called....and sit at the bar (which remains empty except for us sitting there). This has happened twice now, at dinner and breakfast - and I just don't get it. Perhaps it's a server issue - and if they're buried they don't want to serve the bar, but twice now that's exactly where they've offered to seat us...and frankly I would have sat there and avoided the hour wait.
(4)R W.
Vita is a solid three and not one star more. The food is hit and miss, usually a hit. The ingredients are always great, but some things just don't work out. For instance, I will never order soup there again, it's just too risky. Service is very slow and it is not a good lunch place during the week, and on the weekends it's slammed for brunch. Condiments are doled out by the servers who check in infrequently. I really hate that. Refills? Not so much. But you do get a big pitcher of water so that helps. I've gone to the Vita about two dozen times over the last seven years, while it has improved some it still is the same old vegan hipster hole-in-the-wall. That's the good and that's the bad.
(3)Laurie D.
Nothing to bring me back. Very surprised at the ratings.
(2)Geanna M.
I go here so often that it's hard to leave an un-biased review. Need a place for non-vegan and vegan family members and/or friends to have fun? Check. Need a place to enjoy a nice cocktail or domestic brew on tap? Check. Need a place for really tasty comfort food at decent prices? Check. Need a place that has a really wide selection of gluten-free items? Check.
(4)Strea T.
Pretty disappointing. I'm a vegan on a foodtour of Portland, and I must say that much of the food at Vita Cafe was hum-drum, especially for the prices. The macaroni & cheese tasted like there was nothing but soymilk on pasta and was way too expensive at $4.50 for a tiny thimble. The sandwich was alright but also flavorless and something I could have made at home. I got the peanutbutter chocolate cheesecake and it wasn't a big piece but costed $5.50. I make better vegan cheesecakes than they can. At least it didn't taste like silken tofu... It just tasted like firm tofu plus flour. I liked the soup, but that's pretty standard. Our waitress, while smiling and nice, was absent a ton. She never gave us a refill on drinks (soda), didn't ask about a bread choice for my soup, just gave me one the one I didn't want and didn't even split the bill! We will be going back to better places rather than going there ever again.
(2)Grace B.
My first impression of this place was with my vegan friend who ordered some corn cakes... they were pretty good. I came back here after I started reading the book Eating Animals and was feeling REALLY crazy about food. I had no idea if I still wanted to eat eggs, I was feeling bad about soy products, etc. So I ordered some kind of breakfast with tempeh that was pretty unsatisfying, and decided I was not into the Vita Cafe. A friend wanted to go last week so I humored her. I got the soup and salad which was tasty, and our server was really cute and silly. Also, above our table was an insane unicorn painting. Much better experience. So why is this five stars? The H.O.G. Homemade Herb and Onion bread with almond Gravy. I grew up on single mom income food-- stuff like creamed tuna on toast. The type of thing I thought I'd never get again... until the HOG. The HOG is the most delicious, comforting meal ever. I went there twice in a week to order it. I want to be eating it right now.
(5)Ben M.
Yuck! Horrible service too. Actually I used to kinda like the sweet potato fries until I ordered them... waited an hour... asked the waitress where my fries were and she replied "don't you know it's good luck when your order isn't put in right away.." she said she would bring me a larger order which when finally came was smaller than a small. Thanks a lot Vita. Keep that penny I left you, you earned it.
(1)Jennifer H.
I was referred to this restaurant by some of my friends in Arizona who had dined here. There was a nice crowd for dinner, but we were able to be seated right away. I love that I had so many vegan options. I ordered a salad and sandwich. My husband had the mac and cheese. Our tummies were full and happy when we left.
(4)Lindsay D.
My husband was vegan for the first several years of our marriage so we used to go to Vita all the time. Then he started eating bacon and our restaurant choices shifted. Last night I made it back to the Vita with some friends. The service was friendly, and at an average pace. Prices are decent, nothing too high. I had a great spinach salad. While everyone at the table tasted my vegan mac n cheese and swore it was really good, I wasn't all that convinced. It was ok - but when I think mac n cheese I think gooey and cheesy, and it was more like noodles sprinkled with a lot of vegan parmesan. I'm SO not a wine snob (give it to me in a bottle or a box, I don't care!), but the pinot noir I had seriously tasted like it was the cheapest wine ever. That would be ok for maybe $3 but definitely not $8. Blah! A friend next to me is from Texas, so her standards of things like gravy are high. I knew she would be disappointed with a fake chicken fried steak but she took the plunge anyway (especially after server recommendation). She ate it because she ordered it, but bemoaned it's complete lack of chicken fried steakness when we got to the car. On a high note, their desserts are damned awesome - and vegans can rejoice on that one. Oh yeah - AND IT WAS FREAKING HOT IN THERE! Those of us in skirts/dresses were sweating all over those wooden booths like no tomorrow. I like an open atmosphere, but dudes get some fans or something!
(3)Isa M.
I have to begin this review by mentioning that I almost died at Vita Cafe. The reason that I have to mention it is that I still go there. At least twice a week. That is how much I love Vita! The service is so much better since they've moved locations, everything comes out fast and the wait staff is super nice and just generally have their shit together. I mention that because in the old place you'd get a sandwich and then 20 minutes later your dining partner would get their sandwich. Now it's like 10 minutes TOPS for everything to get to you, the way you ordered it. So yay. OK so the food. My drug of choice at Vita is breakfast. Awesome almond gravy, excellent scrambled tofu and tempeh, crisp home fries and melty earth balance marble rye. Plus vegan french toast and pancakes! What more could a girl want? Oh, a little thing of nutritional yeast at your table? Yeah, you can have that. I almost always the Vita scramble, it has spinach, garlic and red onion. Can't go wrong. For dinner I have a cardinal rule: stick to the sandwiches! The entrees do tend to be bland and just a little awkward, if food can be awkward. But the sandwiches are the best ever. For some reason the buffalo wrap is listed in entrees, so that is my exception to my cardinal rule, but really it's a sandwich just listed in the wrong section. Anyway, sooo good. Fried hot sauce & firm tofu yumminess, creamy flavorful ranch. Simply slammin'. Other 'wiches I like: fishwhich (outta control tartar sauce) and club (homemade seitan turkey!) The salads are nice too. The quinoa salad with guac and pumpkin seeds and currants, I think it's called the supergrain? Superyum. And the caesar is so good, it's tahini based and you just wanna slurp it up. I didn't give Vita 5 stars because it is so vegan friendly it should just be vegan. Why in the world is there meat on the menu? Also, the biscuit isn't fluffy and flaky, it's kind of muffiny - but I still totally eat it with their awesome gravy. And also, the aforementioned entrees are definitely not 5 star. But a lot of it is, just choose wisely!
(4)Kate B.
I love, love, love this place. The $1 kids menu from 5-7 daily is a steal -- I hesitate to mention it because I don't want it to become too crowded to get a seat. Our kids have food allergies so vegan options typically work best for us. The vegan mac & cheese is really good -- no weird aftertaste and it doesn't look nasty (this is a real treat for kids who cannot eat the traditional version). We always get the mixed veggie plate as well and it's got a great variety, with the usuals (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) as well as the less typical (kale, cabbage, etc.) It's always fresh and the kids love it. I am personally hooked on the buffalo tofu wrap. My husband really likes the Thai coconut soup w/ that heavenly onion herb bread. The beer selection is good (not great) and they also serve cocktails. We live close by so we're lucky enough to be able to eat here often. I have experienced a few of the cantankerous waitstaff but not enough to keep us away. The food is just too good.
(5)Matt D.
I absolutely love this place. Since discovering it about 2 weeks ago, I just can't seem to get enough of it and I've gone four times. As someone who eats a 90% plant based diet (even though I don't claim to be a vegan/vegetarian), this place is zen. I can say with 100% certainty that even the biggest of carnivores wouldn't miss having meat while eating at Vita Cafe. Not only do they have fantastic, high quality meat alternatives, but they prepare them in such a way that you don't even care that there isn't any meat. Some of my favorite dishes: The buffalo tofu wrap is outstanding. It's moist (many vegetarian wraps I've had are very dry), spicy, and quite satiating. I don't even like the taste of ranch, but the vegan ranch they use is quite delicious. It's more of just a dill sauce than a ranch dressing. The cheesesteak is an amazing substitute for the original, except it won't clog your arteries. The vegetables and seitan are seasoned and cooked to perfection and placed on the most delicious roll. Finally, the chili. Before having Vita Cafe's, I always thought that Laughing Planet had the best vegan chili. Though they are quite different, Vita has a slight edge due to the fact that it's much more satiating, complex and spicy than Laughing Planet's offering. It also comes with a fantastic corn muffin. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the service can be somewhat inconsistent. I've had some of the greatest service imaginable here, but other waitresses can be downright rude.
(4)Lid C.
The original Vita left me quite unimpressed and I basically crossed it off my list without the intention of ever going back. After they made the crazy leap across the street (I picture their moving day to look like a game of Frogger), I ended up going back when a friend suggested we meet for breakfast. Everything about the new spot was better: the food, the ambiance, the service, even the location! (kidding) There are a handful of things on the menu that are fantastic time and time again, the chicken fried steak and the buffalo tofu wrap come to mind, and then there are things that are just ok though strangely comforting. That is what Vita is to me: comfort food. Yummy vegan comfort food. I'm a big fan of their Wednesday night happy hour mainly because they have their fishwich for $5 and a habañero infused tequila with lemonade (my creation) for $2. Any place with ample vegan options that has spicy liquor on the well and offers aardvark hot sauce gets a top score from me. I'm just that easy to please.
(4)Sherri M.
Most days the folks at Vita have everything under control. The drinks are well mixed with quality ingredients & potent. The fries are cooked all the way through. You don't have to wait too long for your order and everything arrives at about the same time. Then there are the off days when the only thing you're happy about is that the drinks are well done because the fries are partly raw in the center, you wait 45 minutes for your order and when it comes they've forgotten someone's dish. Oh and the vegan desserts are from the far less tasty Piece of Cake (who use hydrogenated shortening in their goods, or so I was told by a bakery manager at one of the New Seasons shops) Other than that -- The drinks rock, I've only had a couple of soups that were less than stellar, the super-grain salad could only be improved by changing out the guacamole for slices of avocado, when the fries are cooked properly, they are excellent, the corn cakes rock, and their mashed potatos are one of my favorite vegan comfort foods.
(4)Raquel W.
Great atmosphere, great food!! Highly recommend their Thai Coconut Milk Soup. So incredibly yummy!! Yes its vegetarian/vegan, but they also cater to the carnivores, I had (real) bacon on my BLT. Be open minded about food when you go, if you're gonna get snarky about the kind of food they serve, move on, there's plenty of other places to eat on Alberta!
(4)MoDa M.
No, oh no. Coffee was the worst coffee I've had since living in the Pacific Northwest for eleven years. And the food tasted like cardboard - wait, make that bland cardboard. Vegan / vegetarian food does not have to be tasteless like this. Maybe they were having an off day when we visited, but our ick experience was enough to keep us from ever going back again. Luckily, it was a bright sunny day, so the outing made for a good bike ride there and back.
(1)Abby B.
We were the second patrons of the day, but our waitress was already in a foul mood (we think this might have just been her general mood). I ordered their breakfast specialty: corn cakes, and then listened as she told every table after us that they were out of corn cake batter because "someone had already ordered it". I repeat, we were the second patrons of the day! The corn cakes were my first and happened to be tasty, but my companion's thick french toast was not cooked all the way through, so it was the equivalent of two pieces of french toast sandwiching a dry, stale piece of bread. Although neither dish was served with a side, along with our collective breakfast came a swarm of gnats (yes, gnats) that didn't leave until our plates were bussed. The waitress dropped the check on the table without asking if we wanted anything further, and seemed annoyed when we showed interest in dessert (we were using up a certificate & knew we wouldn't return). The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake was from Sweet Pea Bakery and was so dry that it actually crumbled as the fork hit it. The visit was a hot mess from beginning to end.
(1)Angie V.
I dined at this place twice during my stay in Portland. Both times, the food was excellent! Maybe I am just used to over priced Los Angeles vegan food, but the prices seemed relatively cheap. I was happy about that. My only gripe is the waitress on both occasions was a little bit rude. But, hell! I was on vacation, that was soooo not going to ruin my time at Vita. Do yourself a favor and try the BBQ Things! Yum!
(4)Mandy B.
Yum, yum, yum! I have not been to many vegan places in Portland, so not much to compare to, but I had an excellent experience at Vita. The only "bad" thing about this place is there were too many menu options. I wanted everything and had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted. The only logical thing to do was get a combo plate and try bits and pieces of my friend's order. I got the soup/salad combo. My favorite part was the Super Grain Salad with lemon tahni dressing! Party in your mouth! The combination of sweet/tart currants with the lemon dressing and guacamole dance together harmoniously. The one item in the salad I would recommend doing without was the tempeh bacon crumbles...not a fan. My soup was the Thai Coconut soup, which I was anxious to get, because thai soup is usually not my bag baby. However, going off recommendation from our helpful server I gave it a go- what a wonderful surprise! Even better was the fan-frickin-tastic onion bread to accompany the soup. I also had a bite of my friend's Mexican Corn Cake, not bad, but do not get if you do not like cilantro bc it is full of the flavor. Also, I would recommend getting this as a substitute for bread rather than making it your full meal (and be aware they are big corn cakes).
(4)Haylie B.
For breakfast. Pretty standard except for the coffee and corn cakes (instead of pancakes).....yowsers! Excellent coffee (black), and the corn cakes were super tasty...slightly crunchy but not to much. Eggs are farm fresh which always seem to have a tastier yolk...and the bacon...was bacon...yum! Friend got the Faux Tofurkey Florintine. I didn't taste it, but I didn't hear raving reviews. Honestly, I looked like a usual eggs Benedict. I shall return if the mood so strikes, but not itching to go back.
(3)Andrew O.
Confusingly enough, there is a Caffe Vita (no relation) a block down from this place. After finding the right spot (we're dumb), we enjoyed a solid vegetarian dinner. This spot reminds me quite a bit of Watercourse Foods here in Denver. I had the 'turkey' reuben, which was probably the best I've ever had. They used their homemade veggie meat, which was so much better than the tempeh most places use. Service was friendly and quick. I'd probably eat here pretty often if I lived in Portland.
(4)Stephen H.
BEST vegan buffalo wings I've had. Philly cheeze steak and lemongrass noodle bowl are awesome too. Noodle bowl had a fresh, tasty broth, and was colorful as well. Vita is not the healthiest vegetarian food since it is fried and has heavy use of wheat gluten or soy (something I hope will change with the next generation of vegetarian cuisine), but a great take on classic american fare. It's like vegetarian versions of my favorite college food. Great prices too. They have $5 specials every day. Unbeatable!
(5)Rori L.
For my first time there, I had a delicious time. The wait was modest for a weekend, so we were able to get seated in approx. 20 minutes. After sipping on some tasty coffee at our table, we placed our orders and waited. Though we were patiently sipping for a little longer than I expected, there was plenty going on in the place-so I didn't feel too bummed. Once the food did come-woohoo! My cornmeal pancake with hazelnuts and maple syrup was one of the best I had had to date (beats Cup and Saucer around the corner). The mexican corncakes were amazing as well-I'll be back just for those. We didn't get too crazy for our virgin visit, but I will definitely be back with an appetite.
(4)Derek N.
I had heard about the delicious food at Vita Cafe before i moved to Portland so i went in expecting a lot. I definitely was not let down! I've been there several times (old and new location) and have never left unsatisfied. Their vegan selections are some of the best in town and are always filling (but don't leave you feeling stuffed, which is good). The staff is always very nice and accommodating and have never had a bad experience with them. Their giant booths are perfect for a large group of friends you want to share a meal with. The first thing i tried there was the Buffalo tofu wrap. Being a native of Buffalo,NY i'm always weary of Buffalo style things i order outside of Western NY. To my surprise, they did a really good job with the wrap and i couldn't have done better myself. They also have bottles of Frank's hot sauce which is always a plus. Their vegan nachos are my favorite in Portland so far. I could go on and on about all the great dishes they serve, but I'm going to stop rambling right now so you can get up and go try this place for yourself! What are you waiting for?
(5)Jamie E.
Awesome fresh food at a reasonable price. The breakfast burrito was heavenly...
(5)erin g.
I don't think this place needs another review but I can't not Yelp a place that I go to for the first time! Great vegan and vege options. Hand the tofu denver scramble, tofu, onions, peppers and potatoes were awesome. Great flavor, big serving. Top it off with home made bread and I'm in heaven. The BF had the breakfast burrito and said it was "earthy" tasting. I didn't taste it (contained eggs) but he did eat it all... No wait to boot! Will be back.
(4)Bryan W.
The food is above 5 stars, especially the Buffalo Tofu Wrap, but the staff is never personable and seems to always give the shortest answer possible. I understand that it's a busy cafe but even when you sit at the bar you get almost 0 interaction despite being in front of the staff nearly the entire time you're there. Having said that... vegan, vegetarian or not (which I'm not) the food is insanely delicious. We go nearly once a week and we live in Vancouver.
(4)Mike A.
Vita is a great place to eat whether by yourself or with a bunch of friends. Kinda bummed it's not 100% vegan, but it does make it easier to get non-vegan friends to eat out with you. The food is amazing. My personal favorites are the chicken friend steak, Italian pasta, Caesar salad, and the buffalo things! They also have Secret Aardvark hot sauce, which is amazing on anything! The only downside is that the staff can be inattentive quite often, even with an nearly empty restaurant. I don't mind though, but I've heard a lot of people complain about it.
(5)Andrew P.
Best Vegan joint in NE. I come here weekly and have never been dissatisfied. I like going on weekends after waking up late, and just watch people go by on Alberta through the big shutter windows that are usually open. They do a good job with their substitutes considering they have so many, ie almond gravy, cheeses (though it is daiya in some cases), sour cream, lots of that stuff is easy to screw up. I've had nearly everything on the menu, so here are some recommendations: -For breakfast if you get there before 3: Country comfort; chicken fried steak is worth the novelty alone. Mmmm gravy. Stumptown coffee is everywhere but for some reason it tastes especially good here. - Vegan Nachos! Quite good and they don't mess up the vegan part. Their chips are clearly store bought Sanitas or something though. - The Reuben is actually really good (my partner orders it religiously), I recommend it with tempeh. -The fries here are phenomenal chunky things. - The supergrain salad is wonderful if you feel like a healthier side. -I've only ever gotten one "special", I was the first person to ever order one, the waitstaff invented it that morning. It was a burger with hummus, guac and jalapenos in it. The tastes clashed, the hummus (homemade) needed some work, but I admire their creativity. But it was a tiny thing, which is what I disliked most. Their regular mushroom and onion burgers are awesome! -I've had three soups and felt that they have all been on the bland side. -Finally, if you are starving, the Fajitas with "faux-rizo" is a huge dish that comes out on two plates (one for fixin's, the other a steaming hot skillet). Food coma imminent and TOTALLY worth it. Their Bloody Mary is so packed with awesomeness it is a meal in itself. Most folks should be able to find something they like from their rotating list of beers on tap. I'm reading some reviews about the service; I would like to say that I've never felt uncomfortable, ignored or otherwise victim of the "sleep"/"snoot" some folks have mentioned. The waitstaff don't kiss rings but they do greet people warmly and they do their best (it can get super busy here on weekends around brunchtime). They certainly don't stop moving. I leave them regular love letters. Speaking of which, there can be a wait on weekends during brunchy hours. I've found it moves really quick with half the people end up going elsewhere on Alberta, and my partner and I are usually seated within ten minutes.
(5)Katrina B.
Vegan french toast - A+ Fruit Smoothies - A+ Rice and Currants Porridge - B (I discovered I don't like hazelnuts, but it's still really yummy with coconut milk.) Service - A Ambience- A So many delicious looking items on the menu it was really hard to choose. I can't wait to go back and try lunch and dinner.
(5)Jordan P.
Very good and accommodating. I'm new to vegetarianism, but this place has a packed menu that's consistently good. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and have a meatless proclivity.
(4)Elizabeth M.
My husband brought me take-out from Vita, and it was delicious even when microwaved the next day! Call me sacreligous, but I ordered the Spicy Salmon cakes and I put them on a spinach salad for lunch. They were awesome- subtly spicy, excellent salmon flavor, not too much onion. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a salmon cake. My husband (who ate there with a group) said his seitan cheesesteak was excellent as well, and he's not a seitan eater normally. He loved the service, raved about how nice the waiter was (even commenting that the service "wasn't the typical crappy Portland service") and the group he ate with also raved about their food. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)Nicole L.
Gluten-free options for all the celiac-sprue folk. For this, I thank Vita Cafe. May I recommend the Thai Corn-Cilantro-Banana Pancake heavenly breakfast? Mmmm. Yum.
(4)Jenny C.
The moment I walked into Vita Cafe I knew I'd like it. Maybe even love it. It's the darnedest thing really. Normally if I encounter anywhere that offers predominately a vegetarian and/or vegan fare my "do not want" receptors flash and fade like a canary in a coal mine. But stepping into Vita Cafe, it didn't happen. Was my safety bird already long dead? That'd be kind of ironic given that part of the vegetarian point is to save our little winged friends. But I digress... My friends and I slid into a back booth and poured over the pages of dinner options as the waitress poured out the water. After plenty of time to debate I finally settled on a greek salad. It comes in two sizes, the larger of which was perfect for a main dinner entree. Pitted kalamata olives (a weakness) with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and feta, were drizzled with a fantastic basil vinaigrette. It really was an ideal summer dinner. The cafe has the same vibe as many of the other shops along Alberta. While it's probably one of the nicer restaurants on the strip, it's certainly not pretentious. The staff is friendly and customers seem generally happy to be there. We stopped by early on a Friday night, and were just four of the maybe dozen people there. But even if it was packed, I'd still imagine it would feel as spacious as if we had been the only ones there. The high ceilings and smattering of art and old signs on the walls give the place a clean and simple look that is nice to take in for a while. We were in an out in about an hour, just right for a first stop on a night out. And as we were leaving, we passed by a young family sitting down at a table and I could have sworn that I heard a quietly whistled song... ... maybe my canary is singing a new tune?
(4)suzzette f.
My hubby and I eat here, at least once a week. Best soups in town. Yay!
(5)David T.
Great food, good prices. I cannot have any type milk from a cow. I know I can trust Vita Cafe to serve good, safe and nutritious food.
(5)Michelle H.
Confession: I could almost be vegan, and not feel deprived. ALMOST. I do love meat, and I love dairy even more, but there are times I could go on a binge of vegan eating and be content. At work, for ages, they thought I was at least vegetarian. I have no problem ordering up meatless meals. Apparently that threw up red flags, especially when I'm getting these meals on the company dime. I'm not getting the expensive fish? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love fish--it's probably my favorite. Sometimes I just want to try the butternut squash enchiladas. There is something almost more exotic when you get into some of the complex dishes vegetarians and vegans get behind. Call me crazy. I know I do. So when a vegetarian friend wanted to hit up Vita for her birthday (or did I kind of suggest it? I can't remember), I was ready, willing, and able to see what the cafe had to offer. I was sincerely overwhelmed with delicious choices of diner/cafe foods. Oven roasted vegetable lasagna with portobello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, spinach, basil and tofu? Yum. Hell, the seitan fajita platter sounded amazing. They have daily specials, which happened to include a veggie patty melt that almost won me over. Ultimately I went with the supergrain salad which was a huge heaping plate of black and white quinoa, tempeh bacon crumbles, red peppers, currants, pumpkin seeds and guacamole with carrot ginger dressing. I supplemented it with a cup of thai coconut soup, thinking that most salads leave me feeling hungry within an hour or two. BOY WAS I WRONG. That salad, while an amazing and beautiful sight, left me stuffed beyond belief. It's also not a good friend to braces. I was picking quinoa and seeds out of my for ages after. It was a definite gum massage, too. It was still worth every bite. Everything was fresh, grainy, and it just felt good going down. That Thai coconut soup was delicious as well. It came with two pieces of herb and onion bread that were to-die-for. I'd go back purely for more bread, I kid you not. It was so good. It was soft and dense and begged me to eat it. I need to go back for more of those entrees, but more importantly I need to go back for breakfast. I imagine it's a little more crowded than dinner was on that early-ish Saturday night. The breakfast menu looks equally superb, and frankly I'm just a breakfast person. They serve it until 4pm, too! That fits great with my 2pm breakfast time I've been adopting lately. Service was quick. They split our check without an issue. It was a pleasant experience. If we weren't so stuffed, the desserts in the case in the front looked beautiful. They're from local bakeries in town, so you know they're going to be amazing. I enjoyed everything from the confines of this vegan haven. Don't worry though, I'm not getting fully swayed to the dark side. They had some salmon cakes on the menu that were calling my name as well. Some things never change.
(4)Em H.
Soo I've been here a couple times. The reuben is good. the veggie burger is good. the truffles are good. The Bloody Mary is one of the best i've had in town. But it is not that great of a vegan cafe. You could make better for less at home. I was looking forward to the buffalo tofu wrap but its just an unseasoned slab of steamed tofu with some franks red hot in a wrap (not worth $7.50). The Fish n Chips were another unseasoned slab of tofu but the tartar sauce definitely helped (not worth $7.50). The breakfast burrito was god awful and way overpriced. I hear some of the pasta meals are good, maybe one of these days i'll go back and gamble 10-12 bucks away on one of those or maybe i'll just make some good home-made pasta for 3 bucks.
(2)Laura J D.
vegan comfort food is a tough one sometimes. I understand that vegetables are delicious, but so is salt and fat. That's what I ate today: a giant plate of salt and fat and bread. It was good. It wasn't GREAT. I'm a mediocre cook, and I feel like I could have created about the same quality of meal at home. But, it's nice to have someone do the shopping for you, prepare the meal for you, serve it to you, and clean up after you. Worth every penny. Our server was a super-sweet and attentive lady. Even though we were immobilized with gluttony after french toast, biscuits and gravy and a faux-meat french toast towering sandwich, she persuaded us into trying the vegan/raw peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake. So glad she did. We'll be back again!
(4)christy c.
OH MY GOSH there are SO many amazing vegan restaurants in Portland! SO JEALOUS! Go here! We had nachos (yum!), chili (YUM!) and I had a 'fish and tarter sauce sandwich' (DOUBLE YUM!) Food here awesome. Service really cool. And a cool bicycle atmosphere. go here and pig out. easy to do...
(5)Darin S.
This place is fantastic. I'm a full on carnivore, and I'd eat here every day. I realize they serve meat. But their vegetarian and or vegan food is fantastic. Everything is great here!
(5)Del R.
The VIta Cafe and I have had a long, torrid love affair since I first moved to Portland back in '02. They were also my first exposure to vegan fare. I once even posted a I Saw U for one of the wait staff for whom I had a major crush on, but never owned up to it. Now they have long since moved across the street into much better digs, although the lighting is a bit hard on the eyes at times. Their food remains oh so good. My favorites include the New York Breakfast with tofu, steamed veggies and the Thai corn cake; vegan chicken fried steak, tofu fish and chips. There portions are great and their prices are reasonable.
(4)Carina J.
The food was great, the waitress was amazing. The manager? He was the most passive aggressive person EVER and to just come up to our table, nag at us about something and then when we pointed out that there was a 50¢ discrepancy (one we were not caring about paying and said so) in their menu prices and what they charged, he sarcastically offered to get a manager, said he "didn't like" me pointing at him (I was pointing down the list of different prices) while he pointed at me and then stormed back to drop 50¢ on our table. Bravo. I'm never going back. The waitress brought us cake. She's the best.
(2)Sam M.
Great vegetarian / vegan food with good service. The food here is so good, they really know how to do vegan food right. The menu has a huge selection of delicious food, too bad we only got to eat there twice during our trip to Portland. The second time there, the waiter accidentally forgot to take our order as it was 4th of July weekend and very busy...but he apologized immensely and gave us a small discount on the meal since we had to wait so long. Next time we are in Portland we will definitely be back here to enjoy an awesome meal.
(5)Snow F.
Surly server, and a small portion of salad on a dinner plate cost $10. I left hungry and feeling ripped off. Also, the food here is basically like first-wave vegetarian food, that crappy "pretend bacon" and tempeh shit. Spend your money at Blossoming Lotus or Harlow instead. Even Laughing Planet is better quality than this.
(1)Yvette B.
Awesome experience during the dinner crowd on a Friday. When I came in the tables were full so I sat at the bar. The servers kept my glass full of water, I was thirsty I had done a lot of walking. As a southern gal turned vegan I've had chicken fried steak before so I was interested in trying a vegan version and it did not disappoint. The gluten free coating they surround the tofu with is spot on! I enjoyed it and the mashed potatoes and gravy. Customer service was great.
(5)Adam B.
Portion size was huge. Kids each got a vegan grilled cheese and could have easily split one and been filled. The large fries was as big as my head. My burger was very satisfying and my husband's special makes breakfast burritos look like tiny ants in comparison! Waiter was attentive abd friendly despite us going at a Sunday lunch rush.
(5)Maybritt R.
My husband wanted some burger so we found this place in the Internet. The sun was shining and we eat outside. The service was perfect, I ordered a burger but asked if we could get him gluten free. Perfect, he was not sure if the tempeh is completely gluten free so I got a burger with a gluten free party and the tempeh extra if I want to try it. The burger was so good, that we forgot to take a picture. The fries also are really good. If you want a good vegan burger go here!
(5)M A.
So I've been back in Portland for less than a week and I've made it to Vita at least 3 times. I don't know if it's a recent addition to the Alberta area or if I was just living on another planet when I did live here, but this place is AWESOME! I've only had breakfast when I go but the Country Comfort is super filling, flavorful, and makes me want to come back over and over again. The almond gravy is the winner on that one, and is totally worth pouring over everything else on the plate (even says my meat-loving mother). She also says the chicken Apple sausage is totally worth it. Additionally, the jam is fab and the scrambles have massive amounts of super fresh veggies! The service has been up and down the couple times that I've gone but I've always left satisfied with the customer service AND food. Plus it's a super cute neighborhood spot so extra star for that.
(5)Kristi F.
I mean honestly...totally worth all five stars. This place has epic vegan brunch food! I had a massive (I mean ginormous) stuffed burrito with loads of potatoes plus a coffee with almond milk cream. My friend had the fried 'chicken' with gravy...heavenly! I think it was battered tempeh? It was so crunchy and so yumm! I'm definitely returning here. Portions are huge and prizes are comparable! Update: So this is like my favorite vegan spot now. Third visit and I had mimosas with a colleague. She had raspberry cider and mine was with grapefruit juice - amazing mimoas, woah! The juice tastes so fresh. I'm not a drinker so I'm picky! Still 5 stars in my book.
(5)Avishek S.
I'm not vegetarian so this may bias my results but I only give this place 3 stars because I was still very hungry after my meal and was not satisfied with how much I paid for my meal. I arrived in a party of eight after a long hike. Of course a vegetarian cafe might not be the best place to go when you're really hungry. And of course it might be better to eat meat to feel full. However since I know the basics of appetite regulation, I knew that carbs are key to feeling full by causing the greatest leptin release which is the hormone that tells your hypothalamus you're full. So I at first was interested in the burger but I don't like eating white bread so I thought about the buffalo tortilla wrap. I noticed there were no carbs inside the wrap so I decided to order the broccoli tempeh dish instead because it comes with brown rice. When it arrived I noticed that there was very little brown rice but a lot of vegetables. I was very pleased with the tangy taste- it was very saucy and having an Indian heritage means I like sauce with rice. However it was the smallest serving of rice I have ever been served so I barely felt like I ate anything afterwards. So I ordered a basic burger which was as the name suggests very basic. No cool sauces or anything unique came with it; I just got some well-done meat, lettuce, and tomatoes, with bread that was a bit burnt. It's not grass-fed to my knowledge and it's not worth $6.50. Also they use Hunt's ketchup which I don't like; I only like the local good ketchups like what they serve at little big burger. I would have paid $7 for the broccoli and tempeh instead of $10.5 and $4 for the burger instead of $6.50. It's important for serious vegetarians to obtain enough calories in their diet. Not eating meat doesn't really make that difficult either but deciding to eat lots of vegetables to feel full and avoiding more calorie dense foods like rice will leave one hungry and lead to health problems down the line. I'm glad I tried this place out, but I would only recommend it to vegetarians that are small and require fewer calories. On the plus side the service was pretty fast.
(3)Ronn S.
Love the corn cakes different from our fl grits all around great food Ronn just the Ronn The hole in the wall food guy
(4)Kerri J.
I felt like this place was very mediocre. I'm not sure if its because I'm not vegan, or because this place is just mediocre. Pros: They have a good selection for a variety of eaters, gluten free, vegan, vegitarian, omnivores, etc. And it was pretty easy to combine gluten free with a lot of the options. Alot of dishes had options to add meat or pick a vegan option - so things weren't off limits most of the time They had breakfast and lunch/dinner food all day We were seated immediately and were able to pick our own table Portions are big Cons: Service was really slow. The wait staff only came back once or twice, and was rarely within reach if you needed them - they were congregated in the back chatting or out of sight. Some things are pricey. Ok 10 dollars for an entree doesn't sound bad, but if you want a burger and fries you have to pay extra for a side of fries. I ordered the lemongrass noodle bowl which was around 10 or 12, and then an extra 4 dollars for spicy shrimp. 4 dollars got me 5 shrimp, and they weren't spicy. They were cooked perfectly though - not overdone like a lot of places, so I will give them that. For some reason I didn't like my noodle bowl. There was nothing wrong with it, the veggies were cooked just right, there were plenty, it all looked really pretty, but for some reason it just left something to be desired. I thought I would love it based off of the description but I just didn't enjoy it and I can't put my finger on why. It could have easily fed me for two meals if I had wanted to bring it home. I got out of there for around 30 bucks for me and my friend which honestly wasn't too bad. My friend loved their entree. With my entree costing around 14 or 16 dollars with the shrimp though, I wish I had spent my money on something else - thats too much money to feel meh about what I'm eating. I think if you have a really diverse crowd with different dietary/eating needs then this place might be a good place to stop. With the combination of slow service, being a pricey for what you're getting/being nickel and dimed for add ons that shouldn't be add ons, and not being a huge fan of what I got, I don't think I'll come back here without trying a lot of other places first.
(3)Karissa B.
My boyfriend and I came to Vita Cafe for a weekday breakfast while staying in Portland. I ordered the PDX breakfast with tofu, breakfast potatoes and a corn muffin. My boyfriend got The Denver with breakfast potatoes as well. The potatoes were delicious and cooked perfectly. But the tofu was really greasy and bland. It didn't have any sort of sauce or seasoning other than pepper. Then the corn muffin was extremely grainy and dry. My boyfriend seemed to enjoy the scramble he got so I think he liked this place a little more than me. Although he agreed about the muffin not being very good. After we finished our meal we had to wait quite a while for our bill because our server was eating breakfast which was kind of odd to me. Overall the breakfast potatoes were great but I thought everything else was mediocre.
(3)Taisiya S.
This place looked cool and we walked from 15th to 30th to get here and we were super hungry and thirsty. Unfortunately, it said to seat yourself at a clean table and we did! But alas, after 5 min of sitting there without so much as a "We'll be right with you!" We got up, looked around at the 2 girls (dark hair and pinkish blonde haired) and decided to leave. Oh well!!
(1)Mark C.
We had a great experience. The veggie burger was good, not great, the soup and fries were amazing. Kale salad was tasty....our server Shelby who is brand new, was excellent
(5)Joaquin G.
Vita is a great brunch spot with awesome vegan options. I do feel however, that although their breakfast is excellent and ambiance pleasant, their fries are really "hmmm" and their cake..is way too expensive.
(3)Emily E.
I don't know how this happened, but their vegan cakes are easily as good as non-vegan. I'm confused, scared and a little excited. The service is slow. slow. slow. But who the heck cares? Enjoy the company you're with. Which should probably just be a piece of cake...you're going to want some alone time.
(5)christina g.
Delicious vegan brunch! They give you a lot of food as well. They have a pretty good cocktail selection as well. The service could be better. Our waitress disappeared for long periods of time and it took a while to get more coffee and such.
(4)Melissa S.
Mexican corn cakes and Thai corn cakes were phenomenal. Rich in flavor and calories (that's a good thing). Left satisfied. Would easily return if I were ever in the area
(5)Virginia D.
stopped here on my way to Salem for a late lunch. ended up getting the combo plate with vegan biscuits & gravy, housemade sausage & potatoes. It was AWESOME! and only $10. took a slice of vegan pumpkin cheesecake ($7.50!!!) for the road, which I did not realize was also raw. NOT a fan, I was so bummed when I dug into it later that night :( but their non-raw cakes & pastries look tasty, plenty to vegan options. laid back vibe, hipster servers, very Portland
(5)Barbara D.
The vegan buffalo hot sauce tofu wrap was a mouth explosion. Better oral by hot sauce is inconceivable. As good as great sex and much less complicated.
(5)Samantha H.
I've been here many times, and it wasn't until tonight I had thought about writing a review. Tonight I realized I've never had anything here I didn't like. You seriously cannot go wrong with anything on any menu... Unless you add daiya cheese.
(5)Krystal F.
I adore this little vegetarian/vegan friendly cafe! I have been here many times and have been meaning to write an awesome review for a long time. Recently I have been coming to The Vita when I am needing to study and also want lunch. They have free WiFi and many tables with lots of room to spread out. The service here has always been fantastic. Even when they are slow and I am just sitting with coffee and getting some work done they always keep my coffee full and hot. (Organic Stumptown) Everything I have ordered from here has been super tasty and is above my expectations. My favorite so far was when they had a vegetarian French dip on special. I wish this was a regular menu item because I often dream about how amazing it was. Vegetarians never get au jus!!!! I believe they have some great deals offered on Wednesdays as well.
(5)Warren J.
The food is delicious but most of the staff (with a few exceptions) treats you with contempt. A lot of the folks who work here seem angry and hungover. They have been down right rude. They need to get a new attitude. The food is good though.
(3)Dani O.
Tasty food. Lots of gluten free, vegan, healthy options + a burger and fries for the ones who want it.
(5)Sophie L.
If you're vegan/vegetarian, and have a craving for comfort food, this is the place for you. My picky Vegan friend just love the chicken fried steak here after our day of hiking. I got the wraps, and it was as good as VeggieGrill and Native Foods. I also love their reuban sandwich and chicken strips. They even have happy hour menu if you just want to sample a little of what they have.
(4)Monica K.
From the moment we arrived, it was as if we did not exist. We came into a half full restaurant and waited 15 minutes with no acknowledgment. Staff were waiting ten minutes to clear tables and didn't seem to know how to stack plates. There was much shuffling about and the same table was wiped down five times by different people- at least it's clean. While making these observations, we still received no eye contact from anyone there. Once we had finally been seated, we waited another 15 minutes at the table. No water, no eye contact, but a lot of texting servers. Once I finally waved someone down and asked politely for water, they just rolled their eyes at us and asked us to wait for our server (who was leaning against the wall texting). After that happened, we left. Don't know why we were treated so poorly. It was as if we were an annoyance. They should work on friendliness- it's a big deal
(1)Katie L.
Wow! Just wow! Vegan Mac-n-cheese. Check! Thai Curry Soup and Super Green Salad with Herb onion bread. Check! Eating here forever. Check!
(5)Jk G.
Am not Vegan and loved this eatery. Hard to decide on just one dish, tasted the dishes others at our table ordered and they were excellent too. 5 stars
(5)Tonia B.
Loved everything about NE Alberta Street. You have got to add this to your Portland visit. Our waiter Just Dave was great! The food was incredible! Corn cakes are all the rage in Portland and they are delicious. Their house made sausage was amazing. It was also really cool to have a cup of coffee. No espresso machines here. Another memorable vegan breakfast!
(5)Sara O.
Oh yummy!! Great food, nice atmosphere!! Must check out. Especially if you have food allergies, or special eating habits.
(5)Josh P.
Large, diverse menu. Excellent vegan selections. Just close your eyes and point. Can't go wrong here!
(5)Mega M.
If you are going here and expect a vegan establishment you will be pissed. They serve meat and dairy. Fack off
(3)Hayden N.
It was a lazy Sunday morning, took awhile before my friends and I decided it was time to venture out for some food. One of my friend had a visitor that joined us and she is vegan. After discovering there's nothing she could really eat at Sweedeedee, we went over to Vita Cafe. We arrived around 1:30pm and the restaurant was packed with people still waiting to be seated. Needlessly to say, there was a bit of a wait and we were starving since it was a late lunch for us. Once seated and the waiter came by, I ordered a fruit smoothy--I wanted something instantly filling with minimum effort. That consisted of mixed berries, banana, fresh juice and yogurt. It was refreshing, however, I thought $6 was a little steep for something that I could have made at home. I oped for the breakfast burrito: scrambled free range eggs, veggies and chili, wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla, topped with vegan cheese sauce, salsa and guacamole. Came with a side of potatoes. I thought the breakfast burrito was interesting, it had broccoli and red cabbage which aren't typical vegetables in breakfast burrito--it was good. The chili bought it to a whole different level of goodness. The portion is quite large and I barely made it through half of my meal. They have a lot of options for vegetarians and vegans--the food is extremely hearty but a little on the greasy side.
(3)Michelle L.
Great place for herbivores and omnivores alike! I came here for both lunch and breakfast on separate occasions, and both meals were great and reasonably priced. I really liked the ambiance of the place as well! Much of their food is organic, and though the menu consists of almost all vegetarian/vegan options, they provide you the option to add meat without antibiotics or hormones. For breakfast, I got the Country Comfort with free-range eggs (tofu and tempeh also available), which was delicious. Biscuits and almond gravy were great. I find regular meat-based gravy to be way too heavy, so the almond gravy was perfect - creamy without being overwhelmingly greasy. We also got a Fruit Smoothy with tofu instead of yogurt. I was a little skeptical at first since I have never heard of anyone adding tofu to smoothies, but it actually turned out pretty nice! I imagine the tofu was only used for consistency so it didn't interfere with the taste. Overall, I highly recommend this place for breakfast/brunch/lunch, regardless of your dietary choices. (They also serve mimosas!)
(5)Brian C.
Very good restaurant. Quite a variety, quick service, great food.
(5)Angie R.
Amazing! You don't have to be vegan, veg, or even health conscious to find this food utterly delicious! Try the spinach salad and the buffalo tofu.
(5)Harry T.
First time here and I was very happy! I had the breakfast biscuit sand which dish. It was yummmmmy! I'm more of a mushroom gravy kinda guy, but the almond gravy was good! My fellow she-squatch had the "chicken" fried steak. My only criticism was that you got the aftertaste of bland tempeh. All in all though, I will definitely be back!!
(4)Breylan D.
Stopped in on a wet and rainy day to have soup and a BLT. This place rocks it! The BLT is done just right; toasted sourdough, fresh and delicious tomato, and of course crunchy bacon (they also offer a vegan option). As for the soup, pretty standard but tasty - I had the vegetable quinoa and would recommend it to a friend. Solid four-star dining experience. Check it out!
(4)Amy L.
SO many positives, I don't know where to begin. Everything here is amazing! Breakfast foods are on point. I'm from the South, and their biscuits and gravy are no joke. Their chicken fried steak surpassed all of my expectations. Their sandwiches are phenomenal, and the service is great. There's a reason that there's always a wait here, and it is so freaking worth it!
(5)Xiaomin Z.
totally love this place. the Thai curry soup is super, the vegan club sandwich is filling and delicious, the veggie version of Reuben sandwich taste like heaven. this is the only true vegetarian friendly place I've been to that does not treat veggie food like an after thought or an inferior version of meat dishes. they treat the veggies and beans with love and respect. the outcome is super delicious food that's good for you and for the environment.
(5)Charles S.
Ordered the daily vegan soup, which was indian lentil and the tempeh broccoli. The soup was good at $6 the portion size was ok. Comes with a side of bread not sure what kind of bread it was but it was good. Now the tempeh broccoli was good flavour however not enough broccoli or veggies. Also for 10.50 the portion was extremly small. The plate was not full. Honestly to me i feel ripped off. That plate should have been full to the top. Especially paying $10.50 the broccoli florets were tiny and their werent that many. Also the sauce over powered the dish. I mean the small amount of brown rice ended up being saturated with the sauce so it became to sweet to enjoy. I will come back, ill be sure to try some thing else.just hope i dont reget my next visit Atmophere is very nice. Waiter and waitress were very attentive and firendly.
(3)Ross A.
Great price for portions. The food is terrific. If you're visiting the Portland area, and looking for a vegan/veg-friendly place...this should be on your list.
(4)Jess M.
My husband and I split a veggie cheesesteak sandwich and salad for lunch. The seitan in the cheesesteak was amazing and the bread was really tasty. It was also pretty large, so splitting it worked well. The service was friendly and very fast for a noon time meal on a Saturday. We sat at the counter which has metal bike gears inlayed into the bar top. The smoothies also looked pretty tasty as we got to watch several of them being made.
(5)Eric S.
So many good things. Lots of booths- Lots and lots of bathrooms (with high powered air dryers) - Good coffee with refills - Friendly attentive service Tons of vegan or veggie options Great old country/singer songwriter music - I had the country comfort with biscuits and gravy it was good not great but I am very excited to come back and try more things here.
(4)Jake W.
Very neat place. I'm a vegan, I get the vegan food. But most if not all of my friends are non vegans, so this a good place to go. They can get their meat.... Haha, while I get my tofu and stuff. Went for a birthday, and the waitress was super nice. We had 11 people. Very cool atmosphere. GO THERE NOW! Con: they only allow two cards per table.
(5)Jason K.
Not bad. I had their BLT with fakin and really liked it. Also tried their chili cheese fries and they were fine. I wasn't blown away. Only three draft beers on offer. The pilsner was decent. Looks like they have a bunch of cake type desserts. They looked great, but I fought the urge. Many vegetarian and vegan options, but anyone with just about any kind of diet could find something to try on this eclectic menu.
(4)Ashley M.
So sad that I had an experience warranting me lower my five star rating to a two star rating. My fiance and I were out to dinner here one night, and came into the restaurant at exactly 9pm, with an hour of business left. I am a server myself, and understand how frustrating it is when people come in close to closing time. However, it is the servers job to make the costumers feel comfortable, the costumers are the ones paying for the food that they're eating and are most likely tipping you. That being said, I felt bad already going in an HOUR before they closed. We received our food at approximately 9:25. At this time there were still about 3 or 4 groups of people in the restaurant STILL EATING, not just camping at a table, still eating the food they paid for. The servers began to stack chairs on tables, they turned the music off and then, at 9:40, 20 minutes BEFORE they close, They SHUT OFF THE LIGHTS! They shut off the entire middle section of lights. There were several people now eating in the dark. Including my fiance and me. I was shocked. We left, and tipped because the food still tasted good. But, we will probably not come back for a while. Which is a shame, because we came here very regularly. Servers, if you hate your job so much, give it to someone who will give a damn. Sincerely, a sad costumer.
(2)Ben C.
Vita Cafe is one of the best places to convert your vegan hating friends into a full blown veg head! Their entire menu looks like it could be smothered in meat, but it's vegetarian's dream!
(5)Jarrod S.
I love this place. The staff is awesome, always recommending things or complementing my beer/brunch pairings, but hey its 12 and your menu is impossible to choose from. The Benedicts are awesome and I have tried many things, but nothing compares to the downright decadence that is a vegan country fried steak with almond gravy and potatoes. HOLY HELL! it's the best vegan gravy I have had yet! The place seems to be more of a neighborhood spot than a place trying to be the next sizzle and fade. Most seem like they are regulars. Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan, and they have specials every time I have been there. I find myself coming here more often even though I moved further away. I can't wait to try more "not breakfast' options, but they do it better than I know how, Until then I'll keep eating the same thing over and over and over.
(5)Sara P.
My first stop into Portland, was to Alberta street. My friend and I were both starving and headed straight to Vita Cafe. My friend got the mexican corn cakes made with red bell peppers, topped with vegan sour cream, guac and salsa. Very good! Vegan nachos, best vegan nachos I've had to date. Tortilla chips topped with beans, brown rice, black olives, salsa, guacamole and vegan cheese sauce. Four beers on tap, a wide variety of hard alcohol and some wines. Happiness for all. Service was lack luster, I mean they could seriously care that you decided to eat there. Maybe it's because it was two in the afternoon and they rather not have to work at all?
(3)Jasmine S.
Last time I got the veggie burger LOVED it with the bloody marry yummy! This time the vegan club with coffee DELISH! This place is great friendly staff friendly customers just a very great positive atmosphere. #teamvitacafe
(5)Alison M.
I came in for a lovely breakfast with two of my friends who are both vegan and gluten free, this was a perfect option for all of us to find something we would like. I was a big fan of the corn cakes with hazelnuts. The furniture and decor is rather eclectic, right in line with the neighborhood. Most recently I ordered takeout for my friend who took me the first time and had a baby, it was easy and efficient.
(4)Connor D.
As I traveled through Portland this time around I did my customary search for vegetarian friendly places for lunch. Not too easy to narrow down as Portland has a phenomenal array of vegetarian restaurants, food trucks, and places with veggy options. This time I stumble upon Vita Cafe, mostly based on it being in the neighborhood that I needed to go. The cafe was easily walked to from mass transit lines and easy to find. Note, there is a coffee roasters/shop a block away that has a similar name, Cafe Vita. Atmosphere at Vita is a rough vegan grunge one. I mean this in a nothing-but-positive way. As such, I was greatly looking forward to the food. The server was very kind and helpful in recommending tea options for me. I was not hungry enough for this meal (which bummed me out) but I was content to share a meal with my boyfriend. We got the "chicken" fried steak and oh I can't even explain how wonderful it was! It was made with tempeh, although the texture was fairly smooth more like seitan and lightly breaded on the outside; covered in vegetarian gravy (almond base) and served with breakfast potatoes. There aren't any vegetables served with it, so I added a side of steamed veggies. They are seasonal but this time included broccoli, cauliflower, beets, cabbage, and carrots. For simple steamed veggies, this little side dish was a major win. I am happy I added it! All of the members of our party were happy with their meals. Note, most of the fake meats on the menu are tempeh (including the fake bacon). Please keep this in mind if you are not a fan of tempeh. Five stars for great options, good service, and the best "chicken" fried steak and gravy I have ever had!
(5)Holly R.
I'm not even a vegetarian and I can't stop thinking about the chicken fried steak and almond gravy. Mm-k?!
(4)Mary M.
My husband and I went to Vita Cafe a few different times while visiting Oregon and each time the experience was great. There food was absolutely wonderful, staff were friendly, prices are more than reasonable, and atmosphere is laid back and inviting. Although I can only speak from the short time we were there, I feel it's safe to say that this place will not disappoint those who go and it is definitely worth going to.
(5)Lori P.
This is going to be a place I return to over and over again. The tofu lasagna with pesto and marinara was amazing. It made two full meals but could have made three. My husband got the pasta with Kale and sausage and loved it both then and leftover. We split the carrot cake and didn't even notice it was vegan. The service was outstanding! A keeper.
(5)Laura H.
I'm giving this place 3 stars because I eat meat. My roommate would probably give it 4 because she's a vegetarian. I've only had the burger and it was good. I have sampled my roommate's fare and it was ok. Fresh ingredients that are organic are used here. Don't mistake this play for Cafe Vita which is half a block away and is a coffee shop. WHY WOULD SOMEONE EVER OPEN UP TWO ALMOST IDENTICALLY NAMED FOOD PLACES 40 PACES FROM EACH OTHER????!!!!!!!!
(3)Dave A.
Vita is an absolutely great brunch bet for vegans, vegetarians and diners of all varieties thanks to a large, flexible menu that should easily satisfy everybody. The neighborhood hipsters with their young families were willing to brave 20min table waits while I was there so they must be doing something right. I tried the vegan "chicken fried steak" (which is actually tempeh) served smothered in a rich vegetrarian gravy which is accompanied by a massive order of breakfast potatos and both were fantastic, although I did notice the potatoes were no longer piping hot by the time the plate hit the table. Not so fantastic was the house Bloody Mary which was oddly thick and frankly somwhat gross, even so I chugged it down to curb the hunger during the 20 min. wait for the main order to arrive. I also returned the side of thick whole grain toast which just didn't work for me in flavor or texture and the kind staff took this off the bill with no questions. Overall I enjoyed the meal and I'm curious about some of the other vegan dishes but I probably wouldn't return until trying a few other breakfast joints while visiting Portland next time.
(3)Heather C.
Yum! Vegan food galore! I had the reuben with tempeh. I also ordered the side of fries, which can definitely be shared between 2-3 people ... so I didn't eat all of my fries. Anyway, plenty of options on the menu, beers, non-alcoholic beverages, desserts! The service was great, the food came out fast and when it's warm outside, the windows are open! Definitely coming back here!
(4)Khem C.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner here is great for group and dates! Chill spot to get something in your system before a night out on the town or just out on Alberta's bars! Service is great to say the least, and oh yeah... did I mention it's a vegan joint!
(4)Nikki H.
I got my lazy ass on two bus rides across portland to come here because the food is just that fucking good. i highly recommend everything. You seriously cannot go wrong with any of the dishes here. My girlfriend says that eating the sloppy biscuit sandwich made her a better man. Go forth and enjoy!!!
(5)James A.
Ive been visiting and touring on the west coast a lot for a couple years.now so im used to a laid back attitude. That being said, this was probably the slowest service I have ever received. From being seated to getting orders in, to waiting 25 mins for coffee. The two stars are for the kitchen staff who killed it. Food was awesome. The waiting made me want to flip tables or fly back to the hustle of the northeast asap. Cant decide.
(2)Campbell B.
I dined here with a friend for lunch on Saturday. The negative: It was very crowded, but the wait was only about 15 minutes. The service was a little slow and inattentive and people kept knocking into me as they walked by our table. The positive: The cafe is cute, the food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are pretty cheap. This is the place I will be taking my foster mother from Chicago when she comes to visit since everything about this place screams Portland and she doesn't believe that vegan food can be delicious.
(4)Carl B.
Bottom Line at the Top: A good choice if you have various food needs among a group of people. Menu is a nice balance of vegetarian v. omnivore. I might have gone up another star but this is my first time in this place and had a slow service. Food was starting to get cold as it was set down at the table. We arrived close to 1 on a Saturday and while a good amount of people were at tables most had already received orders. Took about 20 min for a waiter to take an order and a good 30 min after that for food to arrive. Food was good, enough for my friend to take home half of her wrap. For myself I got a breakfast plate (2x2x2) of eggs sausage and corn cakes. Never having corn cakes before I thought I would try them and they were a good choice. Their sausage is chicken apple and has good flavoring for the breakfast minded. The tables they have chosen at the restaurant are too squarish for what I think is optimum for conversation with others. I felt I was sitting too far away to hear well and with the small dishs I am not sure why provide all the space between. This is what I believe leads to some others to talk about the loud atmosphere. Overall after looking at the menu I will have to give this place another chance and try it at some other time and day to see what changes.
(3)Archie R.
SUPERGRAIN SALAD: So so so tasty .Eat it with the lemon tahini dressing to bring out the flavor even more. The home mad herb onion bread was so tasty. A wonderful place, with a very nice vibe to it .
(5)Rehan K.
Just flew in from San Francisco and had dinner at this cafe. The Italian pasta was outstanding and the buffalo tofu wrap was fantastic!! Highly recommended!
(5)Thom D.
Portland BLT review: If it's all about bacon for you, Vita taps highest pig content. Lean too. I was so impressed with the bacon, I really wanted to overlook the mushy tomato. Alas, I can't. Rules are rules, and to make 4 stars for me, the ingredients have to be on-spot. Too bad, because everything else was amazing. Crunchy lettuce, and perfectly toasted and tasty sour dough. Fast service too. Took less than 10 minutes and I was on my way. Nice relaxed vibe. I'm sure if I try other things on the menu, I'd be forced to raise my rating... or just review Vita under different light, other than in search of the best BLT. Big plus, these guys are right across from the Alberta Rose where I spent the evening listening to Matt Brown and Naomi Laviolette. Fantastic venue.
(3)Graycen A.
The staff is always friendly, awesome and go out I their way to help you. The food is great, full bar!!
(5)Robin Z.
Great brunch here, which the wife and I hit up all the time. A myriad of hearty vegan/veggie dishes to cycle through... the menu stays consistent but it never seems to get any less satisfying for us. Go for the "chicken" fried steak, "turkey" florentine (what kind of crack do they put in that vegan hollandaise sauce btw), tofu "fishwich"... they're all great. And as a french fry connoisseur, Vita has awesome ones. The staff is super friendly, and they keep the coffee flowing.
(4)Ralph M.
This is the best brunch place on Alberta. It is by far the best if you are vegan or vegetarian. Every dish is money, I've been here enough to try them all. Pro tip: country comfort is a ton of food if you are ready. Dinner is good too here. The buffalo tofu wrap is great and the club sandwich is unreal. Go here and eat food.
(5)Erin B.
Mm yummy. Oh my nummy. YUMMY. Did I say yummy? Seriously the BEST vegan food I have had. Extensive breakfast, lunch and dinner menu., I highly recommend the breakfast burrito with tofu, and for dinner the tempeh fish and chips.It can get crowded, but the wait is never too long. Only small gripe is the waiters are hard to flag down and they don't check up on you much to see how your doing, offer refills, dessert, etc. But this will not stop me from returning!!!!!! NOM!
(5)Parker T.
The service over our last ten or so visits since August has been much more prompt & friendly. The food quality & consistency is as good as it's ever been in our opinion.
(4)Terra F.
*3.5 stars* We love the large private booths, relaxed environment and friendly service. We ordered (all vegan and gluten free) the tofu-based "buffalo things," tofu-based "fish n chips," and tempeh-based "chicken fried steak." All three items were good, but not great as they were a bit too fatty/oily for us (comparing to Cornbread in Eugene that serves similar comfort foods). We wished the "buffalo things" were more crisp and it would have been nice if the "chicken fried steak" came with a side of veggies to balance everything out. Also, I've had better vegan ranch sauce at other restaurants and the tartar sauce was a bit off. Overall, there are just some minor things that could be better, but we did enjoy our meal and would likely come back.
(3)Martha C.
You won't be disappointed! Mexican corn cakes are yummy! The staff is friendly and happy to answer questions no matter how busy they are. Get there early to sign up for weekend food otherwise you'll be waiting for awhile.
(5)Ally J.
I was having a glorious morning and wanted to go out and grab some mid day breakfast! So I ended up choosing vita because the menu looked dank! I ordered the vita scramble with tempeh with brown rice and house made toast! And holly cow it was so so amazing! The portion was just right and filled me up with out the way down of being full! The toast was to die for so yummy and made perfectly and I recommend getting there house made jam! Wow was that tasteful! Yes a five star from me because im still smiling from how great the food was! And the service was really good had two friendly faces to serve me how special! And the food came out quick! Ahhhhh its a must to go here! Ill def be back! O and the biggest plus breakfast is served till 3! Ow ow
(5)Valerie N.
After a day of touring wineries in the Willamette Valley, I needed some deep fried comfort food, but it had to be gluten free and it had to be vegan. Sounds impossible, right? Not at Vita. Vita offered at least a few options that met my requirements. I ordered the vegan gluten free fish & chips expecting something sad, but it was surprisingly great. Somehow they made deep fried breaded tofu taste like a fish substitute, and it was magically gluten free. The vegan tartar sauce was pretty good, but would have been better with some capers in it. It was exactly what I wanted. The service was pretty fast and friendly. I will definitely return the next time I'm in Portland.
(4)Christopher O.
I love Vita Cafe. The staff is always friendly and as a vegan triathlete, the portion sizes are exactly what I need! Whatever the special is - get it - you won't be disappointed.
(5)Eve V.
The staff was super friendly, the atmosphere was laid back, and the food was delicious! We all loved our food: vegan nachos, philly cheese steak, fries, vegan lasagna...great stuff!!
(5)Eliana S.
best best food ever!!!! every single employee is outstandingly nice, great drinks and super cool atmosphere. i live far far southeast and i drive up here at least once a week. also, *ahem* THEIR HOUSE MADE HERB BREAD IS SERIOUSLY THE BEST BREAD E V E R. i order 2-3 sides of it every single time i come.
(5)Mayra C.
Went here on a Friday morning for breakfast, very tasty. Loved the potatoes. Went back on a Sunday evening for dinner and it was delish! Coctail was also very good.
(4)Chiemi N.
Vita Cafe was more of a 3.5 stars for me, but rounding up because they offer a wide variety of creative vegan/vegetarian dishes. A tip: don't confuse Vita Cafe for Caffe Vita that is about a block away. Lucky for me, I was a little early for a breakfast I was hosting, and I was able to secure a table for my party of seven. I had been having a craving for biscuits and gravy. That used to be one of my breakfast favorites. I have given up pork, so no more biscuits and gravy from most of the breakfast joints I frequent. I did a search of places that have vegan biscuits and gravy, and Vita Cafe came up. I was a little disappointed with my biscuits and gravy, the gravy was like a brown gravy instead of the country gravy I had been craving. I know I've had vegan gravy similar to the country gravy that I was seeking...I need to remember where! The other breakfasts that my fellow diners ordered looked delicious, so I am inclined to go back and try again! Oh, another tip: I thought this cafe was strictly vegan or vegetarian, but I discovered they serve bacon and meat sausage, so you can bring your omnivore friends here! The picture I am posting is my fellow diner's breakfast!
(4)Randy S.
We've only gone for breakfast, but everything I've had here is amazingly good. We try to make it a weekend ritual. If you're looking for good quality vegetarian and/or vegan grub, check this place out. I've also noticed they usually have pretty good beer on tap as well. Word to the wise, if you don't want to wait for a table at breakfast, get there before 9am (which is true for any decent breakfast joint in PDX).
(5)Kim J.
This is one of my regular neighborhood spots. Yes, I'm vegetarian, which as we all know is an old Indian word for "bad hunter." As with any place you go, you'll like it more if you don't expect it to be something it's not. Here's a few hints of what to expect: - Good food, much of it veggie or vegan, at a reasonable price. - Authentic wait staff, by which I mean they're being themselves and you might just find out if they're having a challenging day at work (don't we all?). You'll also know if they're having a great day, and your day will probably be brightened as a result. - Their menu is eclectic, but seems to have a basis in diner/American fare, with a veggie/vegan twist of course. - In my experience they're usually fairly busy around mealtimes (it's always reassuring when a restaurant has diners in it) but rarely are they packed. I recommend this place for both the food and for the atmosphere. Not a five star, but a solid four.
(4)Lance B.
Excellent - I can't say enough about this place. The vegetarian cheeseburgers and fries are awesome. Everything is. The veggie chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy is awesome. I love it all. Their house drinks are great. The staff is always excellent. The prices are right where they should be. Check it out...
(4)Vincent R.
This place is pretty great. I mean, I eat here anywhere from 2 to 10 times a month, so I'm obviously a fan. If you've ever been to Chicago Diner, think of this place as slightly less variety with the menu, throw in a decent amount of real animal meat options, add a Portland twist on the service and you get this place. It's great because it's like high-er quality diner food with some healthy options and some meat options. A good place for people that are afraid of vegetarian food. A great place to bring a meat eater because they can order a hamburger and I can order the buffalo tofu wings (The Buffalo Things are like this super addicting, probably unhealthy, tofu thing that's marinated in a sauce that must have some sort of addictive substance in it), lentil soup and a fried tempeh steak all in the same place. If you have a partner that eats meat and you don't, this place can be a great band-aid on a strained relationship, unfortunately the band-aid always ends up falling off. Wow this just got dark fast. haha Like most places in Portland you never really feel like anyone working here is excited that you just walked in, but that doesn't mean the service is bad or the people are rude. It's always prompt and efficient. You'd think the staff was being curt, but really that's just how it is here, it's like a nicer version of curt. I secretly love that about the place, I can read a few articles of the NY Times or the WSJ on my smartphone or my laptop, take my time eating and forget I'm even in a restaurant. It's nice. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I feel like on Sundays it's really the only place I can go to that doesn't have a 2 hour wait list, so I love coming for a nice brunch and Mimosa. The place has a good mix of straight couples in their 50's who drive a Prius who just had their first baby, as well as hipsters, anarchists, and then the occasional random chick who accidentally ended up here because she thought she was meeting her match.com date at Caffe Vita (a coffee shop with the inverse name a block away.) If you're down for some casual vegan/veg comfort food check this place out. If your'e dating or friends with a heathen that still eats meat, this is the place for ya as well. Enjoy!
(4)J H.
Great all vegatarian menu.. raw food dish also. Very good amount for price....much better deal then snooty place next door.
(5)Gina B.
So you decided to give yourself a tip on a to go order? Could not believe the nerve of some people. Giving themselves tips on a to go order! **Warning!** Watch your receipts and compare them to your bank statement. These guys like to give themselves tips when you get to go orders. Who knows what they do when you sit down to eat there. On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 20 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, I checked my bank statement and saw that my card was charged an additional $2. Both my other co-worker checked their receipt and bank statement again. They too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. I called to speak with a manager (Ryan) and get it corrected on my card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before saying they would adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. Vita, your food was AWESOME but your service and the scamming drove me and my co-workers away. I will make sure that this is viewed here and Facebook. Get your act together people!
(1)Madame M.
I finally was able to visit Vita and it was not too shabby. Good 1. Parking was easy to find (strange for Alberta) 2. Large Menu 3. Tasty Veggie Burgers 4. Nice local artwork on the walls Bad 1. Loud as everything in there. PLEASE, if you have an already crowded restaurant, TURN OFF THE MUSIC! People go to restaurants to eat and enjoy the company they are with or have a nice meal in peace. If I want loud music, I will go to a nightclub. Shouting at my lunch guest is not a relaxing experience. 2. Kind of lame when fries (which were oil sponges) are a separate charge from burgers and sandwiches. Most restaurants sell those together. 3. Service was lackluster. Not very personable and they messed up on our order and were snarky about it. With a few tweaks they could be awesome. Then again, no restaurant is perfect. I will give it another try, just will bring my earbuds.
(3)Miranda O.
I saw other reviewers say they wanted to give this place less stars for the service, but caved because they like the food. If I wanted delicious food, but didn't want to take service into account, I'd eat at home. This used to be one of my all-time favorite places to eat when I first became vegan. Presently, I've been vegan for about 3 years, and now that Dovetail isn't next to Vita Cafe anymore, it's lost a lot of its initial appeal for me. They serve breakfast until 3 PM, which is pretty awesome. I like the Faux Turkey Florentine, Vegan Breakfast Burrito, and anything smothered in that almond gravy of theirs. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap, Vegan Club, and Veggie Burger are good for lunch or dinner. Having said all that, I don't plan on going back here. I used to come very regularly with my boyfriend and, with just the two of us, the service was usually okay. The staff is usually nice, but some are not super attentive when it comes to refills or getting a check. Over time, the service and food have become very inconsistent. Even though the setting suggests that they would encourage you to bring large groups there (big booths and a bar), every single time we've had to split a check with more than three people it's been a huge ordeal. The server will always make some sort of comment about it before hovering over the register for 15 minutes with at least 2 other employees. This used to be my go-to spot for eating with omni friends and family because they offer salmon, beef burgers, bacon, real cheese, and eggs. Unfortunately, every time I brought someone, something went amiss. The server would seem visibly put off by something or the food would be inconsistent and would take a long time. In conclusion, the food is pretty good if you know what to order, but there are better places to spend your money.
(3)Wyndra A.
I appreciate the options. Their mixed drinks are dynamic. The prices are pretty good. I always expect more from the food. It looks beautiful but when I get it it's always over spices in someway. The salsa for example overwhelms whatever it's on. Their gravy which I am a connoisseur of is way to salty and otherwise lacking. But today I had the BEST server!!! I always appreciate the skills of a good server but this lovely human was beyond, a Master of service! Her name is Shannon and she wears glasses and she is a reason to eat at the Vita Cafe!
(4)Anne K.
I don't rate service, ambiance, cleanliness and wait times; they are too variable. I can put up with anything if the food is good. It is all about the food- that's it. All of my ratings are based on vegan options only. Notes: Some dishes are amazing. Some are not at all. Depends what you get. Best vegan nachos in Portland. Worst cheesesteak ever- It's mostly bread. This place is less good version of The Chicago Diner.
(3)Vi E.
Delicious! I'm not vegan but I've been a couple times and am so pleased. I've had the caeser salad both times which was very saucy and has a LOT of croutons, but its very good. Both times I went during happy hour which is all Wednesday night I believe. I've had a Mojito and the Blue Jay. Both delicious and recommended! The mac and cheese is gooey, cheesy and delicious. and the vegan gumbo is awesome! Good service, little slow some times but worth the wait. I will be back! They also had a full case of vegan desserts. I will have to try the key lime cheesecake (raw) next time!
(4)Elizabeth M.
Fantastic, absolutely fantastic!!! This is a fabulous place for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike... Went for the first time today (finally!) and met my Dad for lunch. I ordered the vegan club, which was amazing and he ordered the Reuben w/ tempeh and real Swiss cheese, he said it was good and different LOL! We shared a basket of humongous fries and dipped them into the homemade vegan ranch dressing ~ so good! Also, we used some of the homemade Dijon mustard for our sammies which has the most perfect amount of kick to it. The show stopper? Their "quick pickled cucumbers" ~ OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! But sadly, they do not sell them :o( Wait staff was wonderful and very helpful. The location is actually much larger than I was expecting and pleasantly surprised with how available street parking was. Overall, exceptional experience and will most certainly be making return visits!
(5)Gregory Z.
I had a great Reuben sandwich that came with some homemade tasting pickles. Good service.
(4)Elizabeth R.
The only thing that this place has going for it, is it's mostly vegan. The food isn't great, the portions are small and it's over priced. Throw in a snobby server and you have the perfect hipster vegan restaurant. Its a good place if you want vegan and a drink but don't expect great food and be prepared to spend more than what the food and drink is worth.
(3)Tommy T.
Vita cafe is a great choice for lots of options on the menu, probably most all of them being delicious in their own way. I've had many things on the menu like the mac and cheese, the fishwich, the salmon burger, the lemongrass noodles, etc. My girlfriend and I agree that their fries are some of the best in Portland, if not the best we've had thus far. They seem to be pretty busy most of the time, so that usually speaks for itself. If you're looking to get the service you might have at a high scale restaurant or Outback, this is probably not your cup of tea. You're not going to have a bubbly idiot for a server, but you will have someone who will bring you what you want if you ask for it, and make sure you get your food in a timely manner. I will be eating here in the future for sure, because it has always been a good choice so far and it's nice to have a place with reliable food. My girlfriend is vegetarian, and she likes how many choices she can have for amazing food. Because she always lets me try her food, I think the veggie dishes are delightful. A perk for Portland.
(5)Lili K.
Some of my favorite dishes, in order: -Seitan Fajita Platter: A lot of food, and great for sharing! -Lemongrass Noodle Bowl: Tastes better than the menu makes it sound -Vegan Reuben There are some disappointing items on the menu, but the hits make it worth coming back for. And take advantage of $5 Wednesdays! $5 dinner for certain entrees and sandwiches (check the chalkboard). I usually eat here after 7:30pm on weekdays and I've never had to wait for a table.
(4)Chels J.
A brunch menu that can satisfy meat eaters (you can sub real bacon for the faux meat options), vegetarians, and vegans alike. My vegan friend loved the "eggs" florentine (she had tofu in place of eggs). The rest of our table each ordered the country comfort. The potatoes were quite good, and I love me some biscuits and gravy - but my goodness was this gravy salty!! And my poached eggs were just a tad undercooked. Also, the biscuits were quite dense, like they needed to be cooked a little more to fluff up a bit. I'm not sure if they were the vegan biscuits or not, I wasn't asked for an option so they might have been. I wanted to run over quickly to Pine State Biscuits and substitute those biscuits into this dish. Sorry Pine State, I won't cheat on you again. Lesson learned. Good option though if you're vegan, since Pine State isn't exactly vegan friendly.
(3)RJ H.
The tale of two Portland s...Meat and Meatless....We're Vegan but we're flexible .....seitan or real bacon....you choose. and that's what I like about the Vita. Their are days where Vegan suits me just fine and there are others where I just want a real BLT ..... Seat yourself...there's always seems room at the bar ....The wait staff friendly and fit the description of" Vegan Restaurant" nicely. Come on ...Tempah and free range beef burgers on the same menu???? Brilliant.! The Mac and Cheese, Grilled Cheese ( and choose real fries or steamed Broccoli ....your choice.) A decent wine and beer option......go with one of their rotating drafts ( seems to change a bit often so you'll need to ask or go hipster PBR- Tall boy). I love options and this little restaurant provides the best of both worlds ... whether you are steeped in Portland or just stepped off the plane from Dallas TX., you'll come away satisfied.
(4)Greg B.
Not a whole lot that hasn't been said already. Always friendly service, great food and coffee, and a consistently good, if small tap list. highly recommend it!
(5)Kelly B.
I went here with friends on my first visit to Portland for Saturday dinner during President's Day weekend. I had the 'Flamin' Tempeh, Broccoli & Carrots($9.50): steamed broccoli, carrots, jicama, red onions and organic tempeh with sweet ginger hoisin sauce over brown rice. It was delicious, the first time I've seen tempeh on a restaurant menu (which made me very happy!), the atmosphere was quiet and we had attentive service. I highly recommend.
(4)Amanda B.
I've been going to the Vita Cafe regularly for 7 years. Great vegan food, plus they have options for my meat/dairy-eating friends & family. They make a good, strong margarita and have a solid selection of beers. My husband has several food allergies (gluten, dairy, soy), and they accommodate him, no problem. You can ask to see the ingredients list if you're concerned about allergens. They are kid-friendly, and a couple of times we've had groups of about 10 people there for dinner & had them push together a couple of tables for us, though there isn't a ton of room for larger groups. The staff is friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is fun & relaxed. They have daily specials that have been excellent every time I've ordered one. I'll continue to be a regular and will always bring my out-of-town guests to the Vita!
(5)Tara W.
ATMOSPHERE: casual café, nice big windows, good for small to medium sized groups, kids welcome. SERVICE: ok...a little slow even though they weren't that busy and our server didn't check in after two bites/two minutes. However I've come to expect this in Portland. FOOD: I had soup & salad; Thai Coconut soup and the Spinach Salad. My fiancé had the special, that night vegan enchiladas. The bottom half of my soup was cold (and since our server never checked on us I couldn't get it reheated) and my salad was VERY overdressed, to the point I left most of it on the plate. This was all a real shame because the flavors were all there! So I took the soup home to heat up myself, but sadly left the salad behind cuz there was no saving it. My fiancé said his plate was ok. We shared a side of fries because they looked amazing as they past by to another table. Golden brown, on the thicker cut side...Unfortunately, half of our fries looked amazing and tasted ok, while the other half were the dregs of the fry station. Ya know, those little crust/crisps that have been in the fryer too long. Ironically, I would have cooked the better tasting fries longer. OVERALL: I am hoping we hit this place on an off night. The flavors were all there, and if the place hadn't hyped itself up to be such a "foodie" spot I think it would have been less underwhelming. I will give them another try at it, and I am rooting for them.
(3)Nicole F.
one of my favorite vegan eats in portland. every time i think i have found my favorite item on the menu and that i will keep ordering myself the same delicious dish until the day i die... i somehow convince myself to try something new. and i'm always thrilled that i did. some of my favorites: vegan club sandwich. faux turkey florentine. and anything with the almond gravy is exquisite.
(5)Reymond D.
Vita Cafe is one of my favorite places to chow the f#ck down in Portland. They do vegan food RIGHT! It's just vegan comfort food at its best - delicious and filling. The first time we ate at Vita we brought veggie friends from out of town here and we all lost our goddamn minds. We were passing around each other's plates and freaking out how good the food was. It was the kind of shameless pigging out that you can't even stop from happening. I think the favorite I've tried is the vegan chicken fried steak. I was skeptical at first but woa. It's some kind of wonderful. The service is good - attentive, pretty friendly. Nothing over the top to write home about, but nothing bad or off-putting either. If you are looking for bomb vegan food, this is the spot!
(5)Amy G.
Something for everyone here. We are a family of 2 vegans and 2 vegetarians and Vita Cafe is one of our mainstays. Breakfast is simply awesome, and dinner is a range of comfort foods and more unique offerings. We even bring our carnivorous family here when they visit... A few organic meat options for die hards like them!
(5)Sophia T.
I had a delish mate and vegan benedict that I enjoyed thoroughly. sweet staff. lots of vegan choices which rocks.
(3)Katherine M.
We went there during a last Thursday, and it was, unsurprisingly, very busy. However, our party of four got seated very promptly. The wait was around 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad, considering the amount of people in there. I got the chicken fried steak and the bf got the seitan cheesesteak. Tempeh is probably my least favorite vegetarian protein, but I still like to try it when I go eat out since I just want to see if someone actually manages to make it taste good to me. Vita Cafe managed to make tempeh taste pretty good to me, although deep frying it probably helped. The mashed potatoes that came with it was nothing special though. It was kind of bland and dry. The same goes with the gravy. It had a weird taste to it, although it probably was just because it was the first time I've had almond gravy. My boyfriend's cheesesteak was pretty good. It was a nice, and very convincing, alternative to real cheesesteak. Service was nice and prompt. We'll maybe try out their other menu items the next time we're in the Alberta area.
(3)Emma V.
This is a great option if you have omnivores, herbivores and vegans all trying to eat together. They have great breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Super casual. Full bar. They open the windows when the sun is out, which makes up for the lack of patio.
(4)Shannon M.
One of my favorite places to eat when I visit Portland. Almost everything is vegan and only once did I get something I didn't like, the turkey florentine, and that's only because I'm not a fan of nutritional yeast which it is clearly full of. The nachos are amazing! The fish and chips taste like fish! Love love love this place. Breakfast time? Get the biscuits and gravy ;) You're welcome.
(5)Kelsey R.
I recently visited this restaurant because of a positive review in Portland Monthly. I went with someone who is lactose-intolerant because the magazine highly rated their vegan mac and cheese. It was alright, but it just tasted like noodles with sauce instead of anything like mac and cheese. I got the mushroom and onion burger. I was pleasantly surprised to see some meat on their menu. When the burger came however the patty itself was really rather small. The person I was with thought it was a portobello mushroom. It tasted fine - there was just little to it. We were extremely hungry when we arrived, and left still pretty hungry and made a trip to Popeye's. The waitress was nice and the service overall was decent.
(1)Maddie B.
Terrible service, just ok food and very pricey for what you get. Fries are an undercooked mess, egg scramble was over cooked and not impressive. They waitress charged us twice for everything gave us the bill then never returned. We ended up having to hunt someone down to fix the bill and pay. This is a place to walk right by. If you want amazing vegan food go to And Cafe or Portobello.
(1)Patti F.
Yes, vegetarians love this place - including me. Where do I begin - well, first I waited to go here at least twice before I decided to write a review. My first experience was SO great, that I wanted to be sure and went back again for dinner, and then again for breakfast, and then again for dinner...you get where I'm going here. I am now a regular, and will remain. The menu is quite lengthy - for breakfast, lunch or dinner. There are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the menu. AND if you want "real" meat (hack, barf, spew) - they actually have that on the menu too (which I obviously haven't and won't be trying). So, this is not exclusively vegetarian/vegan - they will give you "real" meat if you insist - but who does that at a Vegetarian place, hmm? I've had the buffalo things - and SO happy I tried them. Tofu sticks covered in buffalo sauce. Why is this a big deal? Because I've never had "real" buffalo wings, for obvious reasons, so I was really excited to finally taste "buffalo sauce" - YUM! I've had the chicken fried steak (tempeh), mashed potatoes with almond gravy (V, GF) and I keep ordering it. I've had the Thai pasta - great! I've had multiple salads, sides, breakfast, etc. and enjoyed it every time. My ONLY gripe (which is likely based upon my own misunderstanding) - when there is a wait, and the bar is empty...I don't get why we end up waiting an hour (staring at the open bar), to finally have our name called....and sit at the bar (which remains empty except for us sitting there). This has happened twice now, at dinner and breakfast - and I just don't get it. Perhaps it's a server issue - and if they're buried they don't want to serve the bar, but twice now that's exactly where they've offered to seat us...and frankly I would have sat there and avoided the hour wait.
(4)Lisa H.
I've eaten here probably three times due to it's convenient location and vegan food. However the total package is not enough to make me make this a favorite place. It is a good place to go for a diverse food crowd, due to having both meat and veggie options. It seems that they are pretty kid friendly too, so it would be a good place for the littles. I've tried the buffalo tofu wrap a couple times. Pretty good- I absolutely love breaded tofu skin. It's also pretty good sized to fill me up. I've also had the supergreen salad, which while tasty, was too drowned in dressing and didn't contain enough quinoa for my liking. The ambiance is pretty cool and comfortable. The road sign decor matches with the road sign recycling bins on Alberta street. However, every time I've been there the service has been inattentive and slow. Like last night, my group had to put our name on a list, and we were number three. Within a few minutes, three tables had opened up, but it still took us 15 minutes to be seated. Not cool. Would I go there again? Sure, if I had plenty of time set aside. But it wouldn't be at the top of my list of favorite places on Alberta. I'd be interested in trying their sister restaurant Natural Selection, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
(3)Kirsten H.
This is one of my favorite brunch places and I am a meat lover! Some people might shy away from it because it is mostly vegan and vegetarian but the soy "meat" products are delicious. I love getting the Faux Turkey Florentine, the almond gravy is to die for. While sometimes there are long waits its usually worth it and the service is good. I will continue to go there often.
(4)Tyler A.
Oh I did. I was in a terrible mental state but one of my besties in the entire world was visiting and all the rich food we had in Seattle was killing her. I ate to soothe my wounded heart but she was about to have a heart attack! So I sat down begrudgingly at this vegetarian joint, then saw the menu. What? What? Normal non-veg options? I still needed to drown my sorrows so she had a kale salad while I had full dairy nachos, grass fed beef burger with bacon and a farm fresh egg, with a side of fries. The fries were the size of small tree branches!!! (It was an emergency! I swear I needed all this!) I couldn't even finish my burger, well, the nachos were flipping amazing. That got my bestie too. Kale salad to the wind, the tasty nachos were topped with cheese, beans, guac and sour cream, and to make my carbo loaded dreams come true, Mexican rice! It was divine and more than enough for 4 people as a main course. I triumphed in this veggie joint. So the moral of this story is if you are consoling a omni-whorish best friend and still want to keep your figure, bring them here. There are ample and delicious options for everyone. Oh and to top it off, service is f*cking awesome! Timely, gracious, friendly - and you can't say that too often here in PDX! 1 star docked cuz my egg was not runny. I know I'm a hard bitch to please!
(4)Taryn E.
Super YUM vegan club!
(5)Jon T.
Vita Cafe was one of the better vegan-oriented places in Portland. In some ways, it reminded me of Herbivore in the bay area, though Vita Cafe is not all vegan (or even vegetarian for that matter.) It had a lot of comfort-type foods and I can surely say after eating an appetizer, club sandwich, and beer, I was more than comforted for the rest of the night. Recommend going here for a funky atmosphere, good beer, and not so healthy vegan food.
(4)Chelsea S.
GET THE BREAKFAST BURRITO! It's HUGE and delicious. You won't leave unsatisfied. A tip for if you order fries, they come in a big enough basket to share. So if it's just you I'd ask for half (unless you want a whole basket of fries to yourself that is!) The only complaint I have is that when it get's busy, it's hard to flag down a server when you need them. Otherwise, excellent.
(4)Carol A.
Delicious vegan options. Good cocktails and the best vegan Italian sausage sub I've ever had.
(5)Sierra D.
I have never had a bad experience at vita. Plus the customer service is already super rad. The food is superb and great for the price. If you're looking for some feel good American vegan food eat here!
(5)Lady L.
Fantastic, healthy breakfast. Mediocre, overpriced lunch. Great atmosphere, cool art on the walls, very cozy. Go for breakfast!
(3)Demi F.
On April 16, 2015, my fellow two co-workers and I, placed separate To-Go-Orders with Vita Cafe. We placed our orders on different calls, so that we would be ticketed separately in order to avoid confusion when paying. While on the phone placing my order, I asked the server a few questions regarding the menu and ingredients that were not specified on the menu for one item. When I asked her about the ingredients of the Daily Vegan Soup, located on the menu, she breathed heavy with a sigh and said, " the base of the soup has a red color, so I'm guessing it has a tomato base." With the attitude and tone of voice she used, I did not ask further questions about that soup. I ordered the Nachos and the 3 Bean Chili. I was asked if I would like the corn muffin or the onion bread with my order. I asked which item taste better in her opinion and she again sighed, stating she would choose the bread. I completed my order and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. I was never asked my name and neither were my co-workers when they placed their orders. My co-worker decided she would pick the food up for all 3 of us and we gave her our debit cards, as well as sticky notes with the items we placed, to make it easier. When she arrived she told the server that she was there to pick up 3-separate orders. She told the server that we all placed our orders separately, to avoid confusion with payment and items. The servers were confused due to not asking our names when we ordered and the food was scattered on counter. They were rushing around trying to understand something that was very simple. My co-worker asked if there was something they were confused about and if there was anything we could do next time to make it easier for them. The male server raised his voice and said "ummm no, next time place one order together." In my experience when placing multiple orders together, on one tab, there is always confusion when it comes time to pay and items are always missing. In my experience, placing separate orders on separate tickets, is the easiest way many restaurants have stated they would prefer it be done. The staff at Vita Cafe rudely completed the order and walked away. On April 22nd, 2015, my co-worker checked her bank statement and seen that her card was charged an additional $2. Both myself and our other co-worker checked our receipt and bank statement again. We too were charged an additional $2. We did not tip due to the rude customer service, so we were not sure why this happened, other than the staff being upset with us. One co-worker called to speak with a manager and get it corrected on her card. The next co-worker called to inform them that it happened to her as well. She was accused of trying to scam the restaurant and the manager argued with her, before adjusting the mistake the restaurant made. It's very unfortunate that we received that kind of service for a restaurant that has good and healthy food.
(2)Cheyenne C.
so I came here not even a little hungry and ordered the country breakfast with tofu, veggies, and potatoes and I finished my plate. I have never had biscuits and have and now I'm there #1 fan. veggies were lovely as well as the tofu. The potatoes were exploding with flavor. clean nice place.
(5)Eve K.
Great tasting, healthy food. Very friendly - although kind of slow - service. Worth the long wait for brunch on weekends.
(4)Min Min T.
Chick'n fried steak is awesome. I don't really understand how it's a breakfast food but the biscuits and almond gravy rocks. I would eat everything and anything that that gravy touches. Brown rice was also great quality and tasty. My only suggestion is that there should be some greens or fruit to balance the meal out.
(4)Devon D.
Revised review: the menu options are still great. The food is usually delish, though I did witness a friend's burger come out looking and tasting like a charcoal briquette with no offers of a replacement meal forthcoming by the surly waitress. Overall, the service is pretty sub-standard. A few of their people are hardworking folks who know what it means to work in the service industry; the rest leave a lot to be desired. Pity they pool the tips.
(2)Lilac L.
We came to Vita's for dinner following an afternoon cask fest, some of us over-sunned from the long walk over, some of us 1 beer too many, and one of us fresh from the tattoo parlour. We got exactly what we wanted at the time. What did we all want? We wanted vegan choices. We wanted comfort food. We wanted to relax and be casual. Feeling indecisive, I ordered a side kale salad, a side of mashed potatoes with almond gravy, and a cup of Thai coconut soup (the focaccia bread slice was soooooo good). All good. Try the Buffalo Things! My partner ordered them and I hesitated being excited about them at first, feeling like I was reaching my fill of fake meat for the weekend, but while the Buffalo Things emulate the bright orange colour and unique seasoning of buffalo wings, they are essentially long rectangles of tofu served with vegan ranch dressing. Don't be surprised if you have to wait a little for a table. We came during dinner rush and had to wait 5-10 minutes. Not bad at all, considering how amazing the food is.
(5)Lizzy P.
So much to choose from as a gluten free vegetarian! I got Tempeh chicken fried steak and it was great! Super cute neighborhood. Would love to return again when I find myself in Portland :)
(5)Crystal R.
I am so jealous of Portlanders and the plethora of vegan breakfast options that await them even on weekdays. Vita Cafe has a great vegetarian and vegan friendly breakfast, lunch and dinner array. I have been twice for breakfast and was not disappointed. The almond gravy is soooo good. I've had it on the country fried tempeh and on perfect vegan biscuits and it is delicious! I almost ordered the country fried tempeh on my second visit, but wanted something that felt a little more healthy, so I ordered the Denver tofu scramble with potatoes and it too was great. I love that their tofu scramble is cubed tofu and not a tofu mush like most places I order it at. Between Vita and Juniors, I wish I could fly to Portland whenever my friends want to do brunch. St. Pete is seriously lacking in vegan breakfast options.
(5)Amy L.
Great vegan bar and comfort food. What more can I say. When my craving for greasy food hits I'd return here again and again. My favorites are the faux turkey reuben. Great selection of microbrews. Nice dessert selection Cons: Service a bit slow
(4)Dana G.
Had a surprisingly nice dinner at Vita with a group of six! Waiter suggested lasagna (couldn't make up my mind - too many good looking, healthy looking vegetarian options) It arrived with a little side salad (sweet!) Tasted a delicious glass of sangria (maybe should have ordered one) Two pitchers of water on the table, No sign of grumpiness when we were last to leave, And the carrot cake slice was widely loved and shared.
(4)Paige Z.
This is good if you are a vegan. They make the most delicious vegan comfort food. They also sell really delicious vegan desserts
(5)Aaron P.
As many of the other reviews have already mentioned, the staff at Vita Cafe are not the most efficient and organized bunch. I went with three other people on a Saturday evening so it was pretty busy. We waited about 20 min for a table, which was not so bad for a Saturday night. The annoying thing was that there was an empty table for four open for 10 min before someone finally realized they could put us there. They have a good sized menu that can accommodate most peoples dietary needs which is awesome. The prices are also decent. I wasn't blown away by any of the food but it was good for what it was. I would consider going back sometime.
(3)Jade B.
Adore this spot and just about everything I have tried (many many things).
(5)Gabrielle H.
Day 20 of my 21 day Daniel Fast was so extra special, so extra crunchy, and so extra spicy because of my visit to Vita Cafe! One of my best girlfriends and I headed there to accommodate my rather limited diet, and even though she's a full on carnivore, we both left with very full tummies and happy hearts! I ordered the BBQ Tofu Wrap with extra buffalo sauce on the side & a small order of Thai coconut curry soup. My friend ordered the "Chicken" fried steak (it was actually seitan!) with mashed potatoes and a delectable almond gravy. We had an absolute food blast! The ambience is casual, chill and the service is top notch. I hear they have rockin raw/vegan desserts too! That was the day I fell in live with PDX, and oh I can't wait for my return...
(5)Jessica Y.
I am not a vegetarian... or a vegan... not even close. BUT I have nothing against people who are, and I am also a big fan of tofu. I was perusing the Albert District on a Sunday, and had some time to eat lunch. Vita Cafe caught my eye on Yelp due to the great reviews (don't accidentally go to Caffe Vita... which I did, and ran out of). Once I arrived, there was really nooone guiding me where to go. I figured out (monkey see, monkey do) that guests have to sign in themselves (no real host/hostess). It seemed like there were a lot of empty spots at the bar before I got seated (party of 1). Anyway, I finally got my seat, and I ordered the buffalo wrap, and man - it was tasty! I mean, I could totally tell that it wasn't chicken, but I did not mind one bit. I would love to go back and try some of their other items. I can see why this is a favorite spot; would've gotten 4 stars if it hadn't been for the spotty service at the door.
(3)Ellie B.
Holy seitan, I love this place. We came for a late lunch and were seated right away. I ordered the buffalo tofu wrap and keep wishing I could have it every day. Now that I am 1700 miles away, I might have to try to make a version at home. Sigh. I also ordered the Ginger Rogers drink - it is minty, gingery goodness. My Greek salad was good but my friend's Caesar was even better. The staff was friendly and attentive and checked in on us at the right moments while also being unobtrusive.
(4)Christa D.
I love this quirky place. We drive down from Seattle and our first restaurant we go to is Vita Cafe. The drinks are great and I love the fish sandwich, which is breaded tofu and is so yummy. The fries are awesome! We usually end up going here a few times on our trips because it is so good. Breakfast is also great.
(5)Olivia T.
We had buy 1 entree get 1 entree 50% off coupon from Chinook Book. We decided to try this place for dinner. There were family with kids and apparently kids eat free there. I think that's super cool. We got a table right away. I ordered the Vegan burger and Jesse ordered a Buffalo Cikin wrap. Our food were good. Nothing special, but nothing bad. Their fries are steak fries style and just my personal choice, I love the skinny fries better than the steak fries. Good food. Good service. The three stars sums it up. It's A-Ok place. Nothing stand outs, but sometimes it doesn't need to.
(3)Tim A.
Oh my, the Lasagna is so fine. I love to dine out where I have several choices on the menu, and this place has that. My wife loves the Thai Coconut soup and the super grain salad. Their corn muffins are really good.
(5)Dylan R.
Vegan gluten free chicken fried steak is amazing as are the corn cakes. Sometimes the service is kinda rough, in that typical Portland way so I haven't left too offended. I wish places would ditch Stumptown for some of the other great coffee roasters around. I wanted to give three stars in acknowledgement for some of the service experiences but the food is so good and the service is ok most of the time and not terribly offensive so four it is.
(4)Misha A.
Yummy, but about what I'd expect in Seattle -- including margarine that had butter in it. Still happy with the "chicken"-fried tempeh and spoonsful from a friend's bowl of rice porridge.
(4)Kpc S.
I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant whatsoever. Their food / vegan options were amazing and the servers were very nice. Highly recommend them!
(5)Molly C.
I visited the Vita Café because they offer vegan and non-vegan food and both are prepared well. I like the large selection of items on the menu. The vegan biscuits and gravy were every bit as good as any non-vegan, I have to say I was pretty amazed at how good the vegan food was! My daughter had the biscuits and gravy and the mac n cheese and my husband and I had burgers. Everything was great, our server was friendly and efficient. We will be back again! I almost forgot! They make the most delicious and beautiful desserts. The vegan peanut butter chocolate cheesecake was to DIE for!!
(5)S V.
Large, delicious menu. Wicked deals on Tuesdays!!! An absolutely amazing buffalo tofu wrap!! Great servers and good breakfast, lunch or dinner.
(5)Inna B.
This might sound crazy, but I *love* my Campbell's tomato juice, and this is just the tomato juice they serve. THANK YOU! I was in Portland and we were looking for a vegan/gluten-free friendly breakfast joint. This is the spot that stood out for having both of those options, so this is where we went. It was quite busy at about noon on Sunday morning (also Mother's Day), but we were able to get a spot at the bar (or a table, it was our choice) in about 5 minutes. To drink he had the fruity smoothie with tofu, which was pretty good, and I had two glasses of tomato juice. I love that stuff! From my first sip I was pretty sure it was my favorite kind (Campbell's), and my suspicions were confirmed when I saw the waitress pour two cans into my second glass. We both had the PDX breakfast with tempeh (instead of egg or tofu). He had brown rice and a gluten-free corn(?) bread as his side and bread, and I had the potatoes and sourdough. The tempeh and potatoes were pretty tasty (I enjoyed their hot sauce option!), and rather similar looking. It was pretty strange to me to get a plate of what looked like almost all one thing. I still got really full, though, and really enjoyed that sourdough toast. I'm not sure why exactly, but it was quite possibly the best tasting sourdough I've ever tried. We also got a side of veggie patties, which kind of reminded me of falafel. They were a bit crispy/hard, but pretty good. Our total before tip was about $21. The waitress we had didn't seem very friendly or interested in us, but she took our order and brought us food, so I guess she did her part. I'd definitely go back again, and would love to try their lunch options!
(4)Rob C.
I've gone to Vita Cafe off and on for a while now, and each time I find that the actual experience is less impressive than memory leads me to believe. It's not bad - especially for a cafe that specializes in vegan and gluten-free food, but it's not as good as it could be. The service is always a little too hipster (i.e., a little too cool for school) and the place itself has a slightly schizo feel to it, as if the staff isn't well trained. Or at least isn't trained in efficiency. The food is decent, especially considering a lot of it seems made in-house. The vegan sausage I had was more hockey puck-like than I loved, and the gravy was more like mushroom flavored glue. But their Thai corn cakes were pretty killer, and the coffee is nice and strong. However, last time I checked, salt and most spices are vegan/GF, so feel free to use a little more. I do appreciate having vegetarian-friendly options for breakfast (not there's anything wrong with bacon), and this will remain on my "maybe" list for the future.
(3)Ellen G.
I love any place where I can order anything on the menu. They do really solid fake meat here. The food never blows me away, but is reliably tasty and well-priced. Bonus: This is one of few places on Alberta where you can be seated promptly. Leave the Tin Shed for slow weekdays and come here on the weekend instead.
(4)emily r.
I am sorry Vita Cafe. I have to average my past 5 star experiences and the 1 star experience I had the other night. The lasagna is AMAZING. Get it with both red sauce and pesto sauce. SUPER GOOD. The fries are wonderful. Get them seasoned! Super good drinks. But the other night, I ventured from my usual meal. I had vegan macaroni, and I have to say... it was absolutely inedible. The noodles were so overcooked they were mushy and the sauce tasted like someone threw a bunch of the overcooked noodles in a blender and poured them over the top. I almost sent it back, but we couldn't get the attention of our waitress... so. yeah. i just pushed it around on my plate and it was packed up to go before I could say "no!" Vegan mac and cheese can be really good if done right. I was really disappointed. Also, our service the other night was terrible. I was really sad because I brought my brother there to show him one of my fave restaurants. blah. I will still go back to Vita Cafe, but maybe I won't bring guests there, and I'll stick with my regular meal.
(3)Anneka N.
This was my first nearly-vegan restaurant experience, and I really enjoyed it! The food and drinks were fun and delicious, and my boyfriend and I noticed lots on the menu that we want to go back to try. I should mention that until a little over a month ago he was a staunch meat-eater, but he got really excited about Vita's menu, and about his dinner in particular (fajita plate). Food and drinks are really reasonably priced, and good all around. Ambience is relaxed and artsy. Service, like others have pointed out, is not great. They don't greet you at the door, but instead have you write your name down on a waiting list, which is fine. But, I don't think a single person checked the list for the next 15 minutes, even though there were several couples waiting, and several open tables! It seemed like the staff chose to clean or set up the vacant tables only when they felt like it, doing a little here and there, then taking a break to take some orders and chat with guests who were already seated. This whole thing was mildly annoying, and probably sounds like a bigger deal than it actually was. Once we were actually seated, our server was great.
(4)Mary G.
Best breakfast ever! I drive at least twenty minutes just to come out here and I am never disappointed. The staff rocks. The atmosphere is comforting while all the while relaxing and inviting. And the menu is full and plenty with amazing food just waiting to be had.What can I say, these guys have their shit together and they are ready to serve you nonstop awesomeness. Thanks for being here Vita Cafe!
(5)Joe J.
I am religiously an omnivore, but, have to say, I had a great visit. It was a hangover Saturday, but, my meal (brunch special of corn cakes with SW style toppings platter) was awesome. It was quite memorable. I'll definitely return.
(4)Madeline W.
I have been to the Vita Cafe many time over the past five years. I like that you can get healthy food and there are vegan, gluten fee, and traditional options. My favorite breakfast is the New Years Breakfast with a delicious corn cake and veggies. I went yesterday and I was very frustrated with the service and quality of food. My wife ordered the 2,2,2 breakfast and wanted to sub fruit cup for the French toast. The server said this would be too expensive and he would have to add to the price of the meal. So she got a tiny pile of plain scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon, and a small fruit cup with pineapple and grapes for $11.50 instead of the regular price of $9. I thought that was appalling.
(3)Linda C.
Went there to meet up with friends over Sunday lunch. They are vegan and we are vegetarian so figured this place provided us all with lots of good options. The interior decor is laid back and casual with plenty of seating, and large windows across the front. The waitress who took our drinks order was polite but not very friendly and she didn't offer a smile. I ordered the Vita herbal tea and hubby ordered an IPA. Both were fine (well I think he enjoyed his a little more than I did mine). We ordered a Thai Corn Cake to share as a starter (sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup) which was interesting...kind of like a grits pancake but a little sweeter. It was big enough that we shared with all four of us. Next up, I ordered the Vegan Club Sandwich (organic tempeh 'fakin', homemade faux turkey, vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread) and hubby ordered the Greek Scramble (feta cheese, spinach, tomato and red onion). Hubby said his was nice, nothing special but enjoyable. I devoured my Club Sandwich - although messy to eat, it was really tasty. Overall, I think we'd venture back again sometime since there were plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu.
(3)Dani G.
Very delicious cocktails and food. I ate the Buffalo wrap and club sandwich. Both were very tasty. They have a habanero margarita that is on point. All of their cakes look delicious but I was too full to try a slice. The red velvet and black forest looked the best. I'm not usually into meat substitutes but the meat on the club was so freaking good. The service is fast, friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back.
(4)Wolf L.
It's been a while since I actually got up and left a restaurant because it was taking so long to get some service. Arrived for breakfast and they weren't exceptionally busy. I got a cup of coffee when we were seated but 25 minutes later, no one had taken our order. People who arrived AFTER we did were getting their orders in and I was starting to get grouchy. My wife tried to wave a waiter down but was ignored. I guess we just didn't have enough tatts or something. Well, I had a wallet full of cash and I walked out the door without leaving any of it in Vita Cafe's register. I guess they're so rolling in dough that they don't need my cash. I did plunk down a couple of bucks for the coffee. We will never return. I'll also never patronize that new vegetarian place they opened next door, and I'll tell everyone I know to avoid this f**king place like the plague. Oh, yeah, then there's this well-deserved one star review. BOO-YAH!
(1)Suzy K.
Fabulous menu for a vegetarian cafe! Excellent faux buffalo chicken, salads, soup, sandwiches - everything we had was delicious. Very nice, comfortable location and decor. We will definitely stop in again next time we are in Portland. Absolutely! But - only 4 starts because the servers seemed a bit .... not put out, I can't quite put my finger on it. It wasn't that they were snooty - maybe it was that the customer was kind of an afterthought? I don't know - we waited a long time for someone to come by and clear our table, we were waiting to ask for containers to take our leftovers. Then we waited a long time for the check to come (and it was not because the place was very busy). They were very nice when they came to the table - it was just as if they were getting around to remembering we were there - and it appeared the same for the other few tables of people in the joint. Really just a delicious dinner though!
(4)Suzann B.
I hate waiting for no reason. You can watch the staff talk. They don't even bother with iced pitchered water, they bring over a pitcher of warm water and leave it. Like, why even tip, these people are not servers. The food is really like 3 different items served in three different ways over and over. I would rank it worse but its not that bad, and it really is what it looks like. Don't go here unless you are so cool you hate good customer service.
(3)Loli L.
I almost made my doctor proud with my breakfast. I got the Vita scramble and loved it! I can never get enough veggies in the morning and for once I got them without having to peel off any disgusting avocado*. My eggs were happily cage-free (which always amuses my mom) and when it came down to pick either brown rice or potatoes, I had to go with the potatoes. Sorry, doc. It was so good! -and super reasonably priced. * My thoughts on avocados: yelp.com/biz/avocados-sa…
(4)Katie M.
I love going to restaurants that can accommodate vegans/vegetarians, meat-eaters, and gluten-free folks. No-one has to compromise, everyone leaves happy. Vita is such a place, and the food and service are awesome. There are options for everyone-- not just one gluten-free or vegan dish, but several to choose from. Even when they're busy, service is typically fast and food comes out quickly. The servers are friendly and welcoming and quick to top off your bottomless coffee. This is a great place to take out-of-town visitors, as there is a definite "Portland" vibe without being pretentious or annoying.
(4)Ainsley D.
I've been on the hunt for vegetarian soul food/southern comfort and it has been a struggle. While visiting Portland a friend had mentioned that Vita did some sort of "chicken" fried steak... First we had the buffalo things and they were the best hot wings I've had the pleasure of eating. For dinner I got the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy, but opted for their awesome fries instead of mashed potatoes. Delish!
(4)Stuart F.
Vita Cafe is another establishment I visited in a short trip to Portland that makes an incredibly strong case for uprooting my life on the east coast and moving to this vegan utopia. Loved all the vegan options.
(5)Elizabeth W.
Granted I have only been there twice and haven't tried many of the food options other then the vegan biscuits and gravy and the chicken fried steak, but i must say they were both absolutely delicious. I didn't know you could even make things vegan this good. The service was friendly and chill. I like places like this with a chill vibe and a good food. definitely my favorite place in portland and will definitely come back for a visit.
(5)Matthew S.
One of the best vegan/vegetarian menus in town. The seitan cheesesteak is everything it should be. I recently had the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and went back the next day because it was SO GOOD. The only thing that's a little disappointing is the fries: they're a little mushy for me. I usually get takeaway, but the staff are pretty good about getting stuff done. I've always had a pleasant experience here.
(5)Rebecca R.
We had out last Portland dinner here, and it was wonderful. Our server was attentive and friendly, and the menu is very diverse, and really offers something for everyone. We started with the buffalo "things" with vegan ranch, and they were SO good. My fiance isn't even a vegetarian, and I had to fight him for the last one (not really). He got the biscuits and gravy as an entree, which was a very generous portion, and I got the "chicken fried steak," which was tempeh served with mashed potatoes and all covered in the same gravy as his. This is where I wasn't as impressed. The gravy wasn't especially flavorful, nor was my tempeh. I would have liked a little more kick or something. All in all, a good experience, though, worthy of the 4 stars.
(4)Andy B.
Don't let the casual decor and laid back atmosphere deter you- it fits right in with Alberta. Being a vegetarian, I'm glad I read the menu thoroughly because almost every dish has a vegetarian option. From the BLT to buffalo "wings" appetizer. Ask the server for any suggestions or any questions- they are friendly and are honest and knowledgeable. Vita is definitely in my short list of restaurants to repeat soon. Thanks!
(4)Richard M.
I used to go to Vita fairly regularly years ago, and just fell out of habit for whatever reason. I returned today and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if I forgot how delicious everything was, or if they've fine-tuned their recipes, but each dish was impressive!
(5)Katelynn P.
Great vegan cheeseburger and delicious mojito! Server was friendly but a little distracted. Only waited a bit for a table at 7:30 on a Friday night! Open air feeling but not super noisy. I noticed they had highchairs but active children might have trouble as there is not much space to roam without being right in the way.
(4)Brian B.
Top 3 vegetarian/vegan food in town. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, all great. Best vegetarian chicken fried steak I have ever had.
(5)Aaron W.
I ordered the Seitan Cheese Steak ($7.50): sliced seitan (meat substitute) with sauteed peppers, sauteed onions, sauteed mushrooms, and melted pepper jack cheese on a baguette. All in all, a very good "cheesesteak." The seitan was moist and tender, a lovely substitute for the usual ribeye or top-round meat that a traditional cheesesteak would have. The sauteed vegetables were cooked perfectly, retaining a little crunch for a nice texture contrast. The pepper jack cheese provided the must-have gooey awesomeness in this sandwich. Nice flavors all around. For me, though, I felt this sandwich did not have enough filling...more seitan, cheese, and sauteed veggies, please! I also did not see a hot sauce option on Vita Cafe's menu, which could have added more dimension here (perhaps I'll ask or look harder next time). A good meal with good service, just not a mind-blowing experience.
(3)Logan T.
The sad thing about this review is that the food was actually great, especially as a gluten free non-meat eater; however, our server made an ass out himself and destroyed my image of the meal. When he wouldn't put bacon in my friends' burrito, but couldn't provide a good explanation (just kept saying he couldn't), I knew we were off to a rough start. Then his kitchen forgot the toast for his meal until he'd almost finished the breakfast, rendering it useless. He also never came back to see how we were doing, a pet peeve of mine. By the end of the meal I wasn't thrilled about the experience, so we decided not to leave a tip since he hadn't earned it. How did he react? Well instead of taking this life lesson as a chance to improve, he ran after us as we left the restaurant demanding a tip. When we said he didn't earn it, he yelled at us and said to never come back...all in front of his staff and customers, yelling that "I don't work for free!" forgetting that we know he doesn't, minimum wage is still paid to him. I suggest that he look for non-tipping jobs if he's going to get so upset when he's called out for not being good at his job. Overall, good food bordering on great food, but TERRIBLE service if your waiter is a greasy haired whiner.
(1)Daniel H.
I may have to give these guys another chance. I wasn't terribly impressed with my first trip. Went with my girlfriend here to meet some friends. Ordered the "chicken" fried steak with almond gravy. Had almond gravy several times before but this was pretty bland. The steak was decent and the potatoes were good...just wished they had topped it better. And the prices were quite steep, even without fries or any other sides. Plus my stomach didn't feel so great following the dinner. Who knows for sure if Vita was the cause of that, but like I said, I may have to try again. Service was very friendly though and the place was clean and well-decorated.
(3)Marcia S.
My Mexican Scramble was great, and the Nachos even met approval of a very fussy 13 year old BUT the Hamburger that was served to one of my guests was mouth dropping eye opening insulting! The patty was not much bigger than a frozen Jimmy dean sausage and I was not aware that they make buns that small, keep in mind I eat out 7 days a week due to my work. When I looked at the bill and saw that THAT plate with not even a chip was 8.00 I felt insulted. Very trendy, great service and what the Chef does well they do very well but if you want an all American Burger do NOT go there. Unfortunately the day we were there my son's pants were wet from the toilet leaking. As I said, what they do well it is great but they are having some growing pains!
(3)Dave B.
As a person who travel a lot for work, I'm always on the lookout for a good Vegan meal. While in Portland this week I happened upon Vita Cafe. What an awesome little place. I ended up eating here two nights in a row for dinner, and even squeezed in a business lunch. The atmosphere is pretty casual and locals rule the joint, but I totally felt welcome. The food has been absolutely fantastic. If you are a starter type person, I'd highly recommend the Buffalo Things. These are the closest I've has to the "real" thing, and I loved them. For the dinners I've ordered the specials both nights. First was One Giant Burrito. It was stuffed with vegan chorizo and a little bit of love. Tonight was the veggie pot pie. Yummy! Both came in at $10 and the portions were humongous. At my lunch meeting I opted for the Cheez Steak sandwich. Pretty incredible in itself. Anyhow, food is delicious, portions are huge, and atmosphere is great. I'd give it five stars anytime and it'll be a regular stop for me every trip to Portland.
(5)Juniper K.
So much yummy! They have great food that is gluten free and vegan and they have natural sodas, and yummy desserts, and the servers are generally friendly! The art is kinda silly sometimes. I really enjoy it and would recommend.
(4)Bliss D.
I want to like Vita. I usually love low-key vegetarian/hipster hole-in-the-walls. But I don't. I don't like it and it makes me sad because I know the potential is there. Also, the hostess has fantastic swagger and looked stunning in her jeans and sparkly shirt. I ordered the huevos rancheros with tofu and fauxrizo. The red sauce that came on it totally overpowered the dish. It's all I could taste. It was so intense and distracting that I couldn't finish. My other half ordered a Thai corncake and I tried a bite. It tasted like I was chewing on the HABA section at Whole Foods. Way too much perfume and far too bland. It needed a tiny little kick of some kind. Not sure what, but it lacked pizazz. Also, this is minor, but our iced teas weren't refilled until the waitress brought over our check. They went empty for about 20 minutes. Sad face. I would go again if I was in the neighborhood and with someone else who wanted to go. I would order the veggie burger. If it was amazing I might reconsider the 3 stars. If not then I doubt I would ever go again.
(3)Margaret R.
One of my favorite dinner spots in Portland. They have great options and even a couple with meat choices for non-vegetarian friends. My favorite is the vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes with almond gravy! I miss old-fashioned comfort food and this is my vegetarian version of it! The service is great and the wait is never too long.
(5)Chericka A.
The Thai coconut ginger corn pancakes with bananas were uniquely pleasing to the palate and a great dish to share. The veggie omelet was equally pleasing and the potatoes that accompanied were perfectly cooked to be crunchy on the outside while staying moist on the inside with just the right amount of salt. Service was slow because the waiter admitted our ticket slipped behind an appliance but we didn't mind the wait. The space was clean, lots of happy, hippy chatter and nice open windows allowed the summer morning air to keep it comfortable and bright.
(5)Randy H.
Vegan chicken fried steak, cool vibe, yummy coffee, rad service. Love it
(4)Rick H.
Vita has been a decent alternative for when my Vegan wife wants to have more then one or two menu choices and is tired of dealing with my decidedly pro-carnivore eating habits. In the past I have never really been impressed with them. I've had a variety of choices from the menu, from the BLT (bacon,) to the Vegan Chili, the Mac and Cheese (vegan,) Nachos (vegan,) Burger (Vegan and Beef,) Seiten Cheese Steak (Vegan,) and the 'Chicken' fried steak (Vegan.) Probably about a dozen visits in total over the years from when they were across the street to their new(er) location. Coincidently Vita is where I was introduced to Portland's own Aardvark Sauce. But today they really redeemed themselves with breakfast. We were headed to the Tin Shed, but arrived after 9am so found a 30+ Minute wait. Being hungry like, now, we kept cruising down Alberta peering in door after door and dodging long lines outside of places like Pine State. Neither of us knew that Vita was opened for breakfast, but decided to stop by after spotting the Open sign, and the lack of a line. I ended up having the Huevos Rancheros, a dish I fell in love with while in San Antonio and being forced to dine in cheap and dirty Mexican Diners. Even with out any beef or chorizo, this turned out to be one of the tastiest versions I've ever had. I can attribute this 100% to the Chili. Now as a Chili, their vegan Chili has always just been kinda "eh." But when covered with some salsa and eggs, it transcends mere inclusion as a gag in a Mel Brooks movie. The Corn Cakes are another great item. It takes a few bites to get around the fact that they're corn meal based, but once you do... holy cow! Them are some good 'cakes. There are several other breakfast menu items too, not to mention the standard eggs/meat/bread platter that you can get just about anywhere. Oh, and even though almond gravy sounds weird, the biscuits and gravy are actually quite good. Speaking of, the Almond Gravy is actually pretty good for breakfast. It doesn't work well on the 'Chicken' Fried Steak though, but on biscuits.... So if you're not 100% Vegan or at least willing to pretend to be, try to hit Vita up for Breakfast and avoid their lunch and dinner.
(4)Tess H.
Amazing little restaurant! Just made the switch to vegetarian diet about 10 days ago and stopped in here for dinner last night. I ordered the "chicken" wings, chili, "chicken fried steak", and "fish" and chips. My husband is a huge carnivore and even admitted his fish and chips and wings were divine. The atmosphere is trendy, dim lit, warm, and the waitress was super awesome. Can't wait to go back and try some other entrees off the menu.
(5)Tony T.
Came here a few months ago after a coworker recommended it. That's the last time I go with that person's recommendation. I had a Thai noodle dish with a peanut sauce, that was probably my first mistake. Why come here and have Thai noodles? Well, I go to the Cheesecake Factory and get the Thai Chicken Pasta and I love it (not claiming that to be authentic). I was in the mood for something sweet and tangy. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the dish, it tasted like noodles with sprinkled peanuts on it. Ambiance was nice but a pretty typical Portland restaurant type of set up, nothing too crazy. From what I hear, they do have a pretty extensive vegetarian menu so maybe that's why my coworker recommended it. Perhaps that was where I went wrong... I'm a crazy carnivore and I need meat. Some I suppose would love this place because of the selection and options, I did not.
(2)Navi T.
I was hungry when I touched down at PDX and I had to do 3 things - find the place where I'm staying at, rent a bike for the day since mine was in transit from Oakland, and find my roomie. After I picked up my rental bike from Everybody's on 19th and and Going, I met with my roomie and we were roaming Alberta St which almost reminds me of Temescal back home. But enough of that. My roomie for the week is a vegetarian and I'm pretty open minded to that. I'm a pretty indecisive person but after roaming the streets for a while, we settled on Vita. And I think we made a fine choice. He had the vegan Reuben, I had the vegetarian cheesesteak with a side of fries to share. I can't speak for my friend, but my veggie cheesesteak was pretty damn good, how the seitan was prepared gave it a indistinguishable taste and feel like the real thing. I got almost reminded of a certain one I've enjoyed at Bender's in the Mission. The fries were good but nothing to write home about. We washed it down with a Ninkasi ale of which I don't remember. And the total for 2 with beer and NO TAX was around $21. Well done.
(4)Shantesh P.
if you have those days where you cant have meat but wish you could have meat... Vita cafe is a good option. Chicken fried steak was delicious, satisfying. Buffalo tofu wrap was also worth trying out. The ambience was a cool hangout place for meeting friends and something unusual for Portland Visitors. I highly recommend!
(5)Veronica D.
We stopped in for a light dinner, got the vegan veggie burgers. I got mine with mushrooms and onions. It actually tastes like a burger because of the ketchup and pickles I noticed, so I'm sure even omnis would like this burger. I really liked adding the mushrooms and onions to the burger. It improved the taste. They could be sautéed in some sort of flavouring though to be even better. I was surprised all the desserts were vegan, they didn't label them as such. We tried the vegan carrot cake, because I'd never see vegan carrot cake before. The cake was pretty good, had nice flavour, was moist had some raisins, but the icing was too much. It was like a buttery sugar icing and really thick and rich. Looks nice, not nice to eat. It gave me a sugar headache. I regretted eating that cake immediately after. I would skip the dessert next time, too much of a fat and sugar bomb personally. They have a lot of stuff on their menu, I would probably return to check out something else. There's so many similar vegetarianish restaurants here though it's hard to tell from the menu who would be the best.
(4)Miss L.
After I pulled a hair our of my mouth, my husband spit out a huge chunk of clear, sharp plastic. No joke. I had the grossness of disentangling the hair from my food and mouth, and my husband, at the same time, had some sharp industrial plastic in his food. Other than that, the food's mediocre at best.
(1)Kelsey J.
I've been to Vita Cafe twice for breakfast and was satisfied both times. The first time I ordered the Mexican-style corn cake which was delicious--made with roasted red peppers and topped with guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream. I normally don't like vegan sour cream because it tastes too much like the real thing--but this had a mild nutty flavor and didn't taste like it came from a package. I also ordered a side of steamed vegetables, which were an excellent addition. I tasted the H.O.G. (Herb and Onion bread with vegan almond Gravy) my friend ordered, which was good also--and a half order was only $3! The second time I ordered steamed vegetables with lemon-tahini sauce on the side. The veggies were a mix of broccoli, purple cabbage, carrots, and cauliflower if I recall correctly. Neither too mushy nor overcooked; tasted great and even better with the lemon-tahini sauce (which is not on the breakfast menu; I ordered it off the lunch menu even though they hadn't begun serving lunch yet). It was cool that our server could accommodate this request. In general the service wasn't bad--a little inattentive when we wanted the check, but nothing to get upset about. Additional Pros: Good coffee, breakfast served until 3pm, lunch from 11am, and open late (until 10pm). Half orders/smaller portions are an option for the salads and soups, and also for a few of the breakfast items.
(4)Dr. Bridghid M.
Plenty of options here for everyone. The staff are all great.
(5)Shawn H.
I've reviewed this place a few times, still have the same complaint....service.
(4)Zeb C.
Keep in mind I am not a vegan. So maybe the charm and quality of the food is lost on me. I got an egg scramble with veggies, and there was 1 carrot slice and 2 sad broccoli heads. The potatoes are so overly spiced that they taste like something you'd find at a fast food restaurant. The eggs were way overdone. The water glass was slimy, but the coffee was good. The folks with me are vegetarians and vegans and they claimed their chicken fried "steak" and vegetarian items were good. Our server had a shirt that was too short and pants that were low-cut, thus our view at the table was his pubic hair and groin. Maybe folks find this charming, but I found it gross. I won't be back.
(2)Tara V.
I came to Vita Cafe with high hopes. My friends had given great reviews so I was expecting a solid, vegetarian dining experience. I was disappointed. First the positives: Atmosphere was pretty good, nice and laid back. Lots of vegan options on the menu, which was great. The challenge: It could have been just an off day for the chef, but all 3 dishes we ordered were extremely salty. We ordered huevos rancheros, biscuits and gravy and corn cakes (at the recommendation of our waitress). We are thrilled that this vegan cafe exists and want to try again later to see if it was just the items we ordered.
(3)Victoria R.
This place is amazing! I have been hearing about it for a few years and I just decided to try it last month. Now, I can't get enough! I'm a vegan and their food is fabulous, but my nonvegan friends love it here too. The bloody marys are great. I have been here for every meal and it's consistently killer. Their service is attentive without being overwhelming and they give excellent recommendations. I did get a weird look when I ordered raw cheesecake at 10am, but I regret nothing.
(5)Dwayne L.
We're visiting from Brooklyn and were looking for a vegan brunch spot today. A couple of people mentioned this place and after reading all the great reviews on yelp, we decided to give it a try. The menu looked awesome, and so did most of the food, but when we actually started tasting it, we were pretty disappointed. The tofu (which replaces their eggs on request) here is minimally seasoned and tastes very bland. Not sure why they aren't preparing scrambled tofu like every other veggie place. It's so easy to make - just add turmeric and nutritional yeast. The biscuits and gravy were bland as well and missing something. Champs in BK adds tofu sausage, so maybe that could help. And finally, the French toast. It looked awesome but tasted very OFF. I realize it's made with sour dough bread but I've had it that way before and it's been good at other places, but here it tasted wrong. Weird after taste and the texture of corn meal? The only thing that helped me get through it was the overpowering cinnamon and maple syrup. Prob the strangest tasting French toast I've ever had. The staff seemed friendly, but I wouldn't eat the food here again.
(2)Robyn A.
This place is a great way for folks to ease into the Vegan world, and offers so much for us Vegans to enjoy. I loved my grain salad with quinoa, as I love to eat mostly raw food. The Coconut soup was very tasty, but not even quite hot enough. (Temp wise) My husband ordered the Veggie burger with the grilled onions and had the chili on the side, and he very much enjoyed both, but he also said the chili wasn't up to serving temp. Service was very nice. and the place was hopping, we had to wait about 15 minutes to get a table on a Wednesday evening, so glad to see them get so much business. Prices are great! We will be back!
(4)Kara D.
We arrived about 8pm on a friday night and the place was pretty busy. We stood at the sign that said "please wait to be seated" for about 5-10 minutes with no one even acknowledging us. Apparently there was a sign in sheet, but how were we supposed to know. At this point I was pretty pissed... When we finally got seated the waitress said it was her first day... Ok, so I'm not pissed at HER for ignoring us anymore. She was nice and got our orders correct, and the food was good and reasonably priced....
(4)Pete L.
I may be somewhat unusual for a reviewer of this restaurant as I am someone that loves meat. Be it Kobe-style beef from Snake River Farms or fois gras, I'm a fan. However, it's hard to dispute the argument that incorporating more vegetarian and vegan food into our gustatory lives is a very good thing: it's largely better for the environment (yes, we use petrochemicals to fertilize grain to feed animals) and (not surprisingly) better for us. I was pleasantly surprised (shocked, actually) by the quality and flavor of the Sizzling Seitan Fajita Platter. I started by accepting the fact that this isn't meat: aspects of the flavor and aroma are meat-like, but to have "meat" on the brain is like living in the past. While slightly saltier than I would have liked, the caramelized flavors of soy and a bit of char from the cast iron griddle tasted wonderful, with the accompanying vegetables (onions, mushrooms) cooked superbly. The acoutrements (vegan sour cream, brown rice, beans, tortillas, et al.) were very good companions, although the beans could have used a bit more dimension in the flavor. The Cooper Hill Pinot Noir (at $6) was, perhaps, one of the best values in glass pours I've had in a while: complex and an appropriate accompaniment to the food as far as my palate is concerned.
(4)Shani R.
The food was just ok the first time I went, but the wait staff definitely took their time with everything - our lunch lasted 1.5hrs, which in my book is ridiculous and we had to flag down the waiter to just refill our water pitcher. I thought I would give them a try again and sure enough, the food wasn't good (not that it was great to begin with) and their service was even worse. We told the waiter to split our check - he gave us a pen and told us to split it ourselves! Not that we can't do the math - but really, would it have been that hard to take our cards to the flippin' register, charge them and give us back the reciepts like every restaurant/ food cart does in this country!!! Let's just say I feel stumped out of my $12.00, that could have gone to something that tasted better, cost less, had great service - like Koi Fusion. One word - HORRIBLE! If you really like to waste your money and your time, go here; because you will wait 50 minutes before getting your food, wait an 40 minutes in totally service time (if you want to call it serve) and the wait staff don't give a hoot about you or your time! It's just to bad that Yelp doesn't have a negative star, because this restaurant is one.
(1)Lindsay I.
We just moved to the area in January and we have been here far too many times. Our favorites are the biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito.
(4)Anjelah S.
Went out to find a good place to have lunch, ended up having a great vegan breakfast. Cute and clean little cafe..Portlandish kind of feel. Very friendly service. I ordered the Country comfort. Instead of the range free eggs, I had the organic tempeh...instead of vegan bacon, I ordered the vegan sausage. And instead of the rice, I ordered the homestyle fried potatoes. Add some fresh buscuits topped with almond gravy to that meal and wow... That was YumMmMmmmy.. And yes...the Almond gravy" was soOoOooo good. I gotta get that recipe. Best Vegan breakfast I've ever had. Great service, great food and I will have to go back again to try thier lunch.
(5)Doug P.
Food usually overcomes angst ridden staff. Buffalo things and super grain salads are the highlight typically with changing soup option always of interest. Used to come often for breakfast but found service and cleanliness lacking.
(3)Sid S.
It's a bad sign when the prices go up and quality goes down- way down. Vita used to be my SPOT. I've been eating the same breakfast item here for years. $8 for everything a vegan could ask for on one plate: biscuit, potatoes, vegan cheese sandwiched between fried tofu, and thinly sliced seitan, all smothered in gravy. There have been subtle changes over the years, and sometimes there would be off days, but my last two visits made things very clear. That favorite dish of mine is in a sad state (and $1 more expensive). I wish I'd taken a photo because it was almost laughable.
(2)Lily S.
I gotta tell you - the last time I ate at Vita was in 2003 and I HATED IT. My meal tasted like sawdust, I felt sick afterwards, had the shits for two days, and refused to go anywhere near their establishment. Fast forward 7 years later and I found myself heading back there for brunch w/ some friends. MY HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED. For the better. Our breakfast was...how you say...EFFING GOOD. We had corn cakes, which we thought were going to be small, but instead were the size of salad plates. We also had the "chicken fried steak" - which is really breaded tempeh, and came w/ biscuits and almond gravy. It was equally as ridiculous. We wound up boxing the food up and sending it home w/ our dining mates. On top of that, we had bloody marys - which were ALSO really good. And of course, Stumptown coffee. Thank you Vita, for not sucking and changing my mind about you! Needless to say, we'll be visiting the next time we're back in town!
(4)Kelli B.
I thought that I had made up my mind about Vita Cafe. I had been there twice and been pretty unimpressed. Up until recently. My roomies and I were looking for a veg-friendly breakfast joint and decided to go to Vita. We had a GREAT experience. Actually, it was the Huevos Rancheros that really pushed us over the edge (the Thai corncakes left a little to be desired, but that didn't matter with huevos in front of us). Awesome. So much delicious food. The service was great, dietary options optimal. It was so great that my roomies took friends there the next weekend, too! Kudos to you for bringing your A game, kudos to me for trying something again. I'll certainly be back!
(4)Christine N.
Oh how i wish i could afford to eat at Vita Cafe everyday! Three words: biscuits and gravy. Vegetarian!! Need i say more? Well, i'm a New Yorker, so it's impossible for me to NOT say more. So here goes... I love their faux turkey, they offer vegan cheese and their fries are super tasty. I've never had a bad meal here! That being said, what's with the superhard uncomfortable seating? I feel like a nun is going to come rap me across the knuckles with a yardstick if my elbow strays onto the table. Also, don't come to Vita if you're planning on having any conversation with your dinnermates. The acoustics in here are atrocious - everything is so loud! Other than those two (very minor) complaints, Vita Cafe is awesome. Go there. Now!
(4)Assaf M.
Great food choices. great vegan options! all was very tasty. good atmosphere. service is a bit slow and sleepy.
(4)Richard V.
Don't know what happened, but the last couple of times I've been the buffalo tofu wrap has been pretty much awful. The tofu has been WAY overbreaded and burned. The best part of that wrap was that it had such a light fry to the tofu that it didn't feel deep fried, but had a slight crunch to it. Now it's like eating a chicken strip sandwich.
(2)Craig C.
Amazing vegan options and the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. I highly recommend this place!
(5)Imaria C.
After coming here 3 times I like this place a little more. The wait staff isn't the most attentive ever. But they are definitely not the worst. The vegan almond gravy is pretty delicious in my opinion. I think I'll be sticking with this place for more breakfast style food, not dinner-y stuff. I'm glad I gave this place a few more chances after my first visit.
(4)Karl W.
I love this place. I really never paid it much attention until one of my friends from out of town was telling me about it. Every time he comes into town he goes to this place and so I would give it a try. IT'S GREAT! I'm a huge fan of the vegan club sandwich. I've strayed from that on the menu a few times and always regretted it. Not that the other food isn't good, it's all good there, but I LOVE the club sandwich. If you're vegan you will probably enjoy this place if you don't already know about it.
(5)Nikki C.
If you want to go to some punk rock cafe where the servers think they are better than the customers. Hey we pay your wage. Get real. My fiancé and I both got extremely sick afterward and get rid of ur teenage mutant ninja turtle shirt old man. Wash ur hands & clean ur restroom. Go next door instead to natural selection at least they look clean and more upscale. I guess if ur broke and want a bad stomach ache and diarrhea then go for ur punk rock lame dirty cafe.
(1)Booker P.
oven roasted vegetable lasagna is wonderful! fair price. this could be my "go-to" place in pdx.
(4)David L.
I thoroughly enjoy their breakfast. Seem to always have a good special breakfast item that's not on the menu.
(5)Dawn-Ashley H.
The vegan Chicken Fried Steak will make you slap your mama. It's the best chicken fried steak I've EVER HAD - and I'm including non-vegan ones. The Buffalo Tofu Wrap is amazing. and I do have a weakness for the gin drink... something 75? can't remember the name, but it's amazing.
(5)Grant S.
I love giving this restaurant four stars. I'd give it five and here is why this veggie is happy. We have arrived sufficiently to have a fancy/casual place with snooty service. Service aside, food is creative, and will fulfill diner and cafe cravings. Veg chicken fried steak is tops, so is the buffalo wrap. Sit at the bar to enjoy the cheeky mason jar light fittings, and come for lunch to groove on the super grain salad. I mean, quinoa, pumpkin seeds, and avacado with greens all in one salad? Hell yes.
(4)Daniel Levis K.
4-star vegetarian diner faire. Server recommended the cheesesteak sandwich for my first Vita experience, which did not disappoint. Although perhaps not the best seitan I've ever had, the swiss cheese and peppered veggies on a soft and fresh bun allowed the sandwich to transcend the meh-level of many veggie meat dishes to true deliciousness. They even have a few meat-meat dishes for non-vegetarian friends and family. Carnivorous intelligence has informed me that the burger is a bit on the thin side, but the bleu cheese helps to make it rock. The buffalo tofu appetizer was the only dissapointment here. Not fried chewy enough, so that the breading and overall consistency was a bit on the mushy gross side.
(4)Jen I.
i was only in town for 1 and a 1/2 days and i came here twice. that says something. friday night we choose vita cafe since we had a toddler and a baby in tow. it's kid friendly and vegan friendly so a majority of of my party of 6-7 people were accommodated. i was awash with so many vegan choices that my brain exploded and ended up ordering the italian pasta. which was excellent. the pasta itself, it's definitely from the box but the combo of red pepper flakes, tomato, garlic, breadcrumbs, kale and this delicious delicious vegan sausage made the dish filling. after a long drive, this hit the spot. i also sneaked some of the dr's spicy fries and some of the thick cut bread that came with his tomato soup and both were tasty. the tomato soup was just meh. we came back for pre dinner appetizers the next day as we were wandering and shopping in the area and i was anticipating an hour wait at dove vi vi for dinner later on that evening. we ordered the buffalo things, the fried tempeh sticks and i got a side of the vegan mac n' cheese. my favorite was the buffalo things. the buffalo sauce and the fried on the outside of the tofu was just right. the fried tempeh was indulgent but not greasy but i thought the peanut sauce lacked flavor. the vegan mac n cheese was just ok. nutritional yeast to the rescue! i'm glad they have nooch on hand for moments like their not so cheesy mac n' cheese. the dr. said the reuban was a close second in the running for best vegan reuben he's ever had.
(5)Michael V.
It probably would've taken me a lot longer to try this place out, but seeing as how my friend is vegan, I got to experience what he goes through on a day-to-day basis. I had the vegan club sandwich which is organic tempeh and homemade faux turkey, with vegan mayo, guacamole, lettuce, and tomato between 3 layers of toasted sourdough bread. The food was actually really good and with my eyes closed, I probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between real meat and fake meat. The nice thing about Vita is that it's not strictly vegan, so if for some reason you absolutely positively cannot without a shadow of a doubt live without animal flesh, they have that option for you as well! If you're here though, you might as well try something new!
(4)Erica S.
This place is so overhyped. I live nearby, and whenever I go past I always feel sorry for the people waiting to eat there. Do they know what they are getting themselves into? For a vegetarian restaurant, it is surprisingly difficult to get a vegetable based meal. Their menu is full of super processed soy faux meat drenched in various sauces. I guess some people go crazy for that, but I prefer to eat real food.
(1)Jeffery F.
I love their food. I bring my omnivore friends with me and they love it as well. I recommend their specials and soups. Nice friendly service with great cocktails. Should be a staple for any vegetarian.
(5)Don B.
Vita Café is a solid NE neighborhood joint offering up nouveau diner-style vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous food to the throngs of Albina types that flock for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a daily basis. With numerous healthy options (steamed veggies instead of hash browns) paired alongside stiff cocktails and plenty unhealthy meat dishes, Vita is a great place for groups that have both animal lovers and animal eaters alike. The food is solid... good but not outstanding. Everything I have tried I would order again, but I don't find myself rushing to drive back over to NE any time soon for anything in particular. I have only been in for brunch (sampling breakfast and lunch items), so that's all I can really comment on. Were this your standard restaurant, I would probably be dropping 3-stars. But with the plethora of healthy, conscious, and vegan/vegetarian options, Vita comes out on top with a solid 4-star rating. The interior is sort of a cobbled-together hipster meets MacGyver chic. It's nothing fancy, but it doesn't want to be. I think you're supposed to feel like your friend put a diner in their house, and has invited you over for a healthy breakfast (and maybe a stiff cocktail alongside). That works for me. Now comes the phrase that's so loaded that everyone hates to read it: I have the feeling that were I vegetarian or vegan, I would be a lot more stoked on this place. It's not necessarily because of the food, per se, but the options on the menu. The ability to easily find numerous options on a menu for the veg-head members of the group while still some meat options for us carnivores is a great thing. it takes the stress and frustration out of pleasing multiple people in a diverse group. Having lived with an on-again-off-again vegan, pescetarian, vegetarian, whatever-atarian-du-jour, coming to a place that has plenty of options for any style and willingness to make anything work is a major plus. It really is easier than doing battle with a server to try and get some subbed-out, added-on, veganized version of something on the menu. There is really something to be said for that. So all in all, Vita is solid stand-in for breakfast or other meals when the *-atarian and I are trying to find a mutually agreeable place. It's not usually my first choice, but it'll do just fine, thanks!
(4)Francis C.
Went back again and same story. Pretty terrible service - if they bother to stop by at all. I got a soup and it was pretty terrible. Overcooked veggies and some cheese that smelled like it went rank. Left with a terrible stomache ache and didn't even finish the food. With a MILLION other vegetarian places in town - there are SO many better options out there. Vita burned down once, I can only hope something closes it down for good. I know I'll never go back and never recommend it.
(1)Will S.
This was my last meal for my first visit to Portlandia. The food was fresh and excellently prepared. I played it safe and ordered meat, my brother ordered off the vegan menu and I'll be damned if his food wasn't better than mine!! I'm usually highly critical of vegan fare, but he ordered a special and it was delicious- it left me regretful that I hadn't embraced the true nature of this place. Their beer list was great for such a small family oriented restaurant (I discovered that all of Portland has great taste in Beer!). When I return to Portland I want to revisit this place and explore more it's vegan/vegetarian dishes.
(4)Nik R.
I've got a list of dietary restrictions that make eating out an exercise in futility most days: gluten, dairy, and nightshades. Not so when visiting Vita; there are enough options that I'm often found taking my time, wondering what to eat, instead of giving up and ordering the salad (after making sure that all the additives are acceptable) or just getting something to drink. The waitstaff are generally cheerful folk, and it's become a regular hangout and place to get something very like quality fast food -- in that food is usually served quickly, is piping hot, and tastes delightful, while being reasonably priced! The only downside is that it's .so. good that the place is often filled to the rafters with parents and their noisy children, and finding a seat can be a futile effort. Since moving to the new space, Vita has expanded their interior, but sadly lost the outdoor seating which was so dear to my heart. It's also fairly poorly lit, and noise carries a long way, often making it clamorous. That said, I love me some Vita, and look forward to grabbing another vegan gluten-free chicken fried steak next time I'm up in PDX.
(3)Kayarrhea P.
Pro: Buffalo Tofu Wrap. Mindblowing. The perfect lunch. Pro: Seitan Fajitas. They're vegan and come with a terrific cilantro-lime sour cream sauce, peppers, onions, beans, rice. Pro: VEGAN CAESAR. Wish they sold bottles of this dressing, it was shocking. Pro: Philly Cheesesteak - had this a long time ago but even my meat-eating bf loved it. Con: No sister store in Southeast.
(5)Kevin S.
The Philly cheese steak was crazy good. The faux turkey florentine was good but tangy. The biscuits and gravy were pretty bad. The "fish" and chips was pretty good. Over all a pretty good vegan place, but Portland has better.
(3)Stanley T.
And my 100th review goes to... Vita Cafe. After perusing many Yelp reviews, I had pretty much decided to order the chicken fried "steak". My only real concern was that at least one reviewer opined that the almond gravy was too salty (a major pet peeve of mine), but that was not the case. The gravy was amazing! We're wondering if the stuff is available by the quart. The mashed potatoes were fine. The chicken fried "steak" was the tastiest tempeh dish I've ever had. Crispy coating (yeah, how do they do that?), just right combination of moisture, texture and flavor within. I had a cup of the soup of the day: spicy tomato fennel. While it was closer in texture to a marinara sauce, the flavor worked for me. And the herb-onion bread accompaniment was yummy. Topped it off with a couple of glasses of Parducci Cab Sauv. Happiness. My wife had the seitan fajitas. I only tried a piece of seitan, which was very good. Overall, I don't think her meal was up to the level of mine - could certainly have used more in the way of vegetables - but, hey, I'm reviewing mine here. Service was very good. Ambiance was kind of tacky, but who really cares? Several more things on the menu I'm looking forward to trying.
(4)Beth C.
So, my lovely brother has been living across the country for me for a while. What does this have to do with Vita? Well, when I miss him I go to places that he likes. On my trip here I went with my DH, MIL, and my hunny's grandparents. (Norma and Roy are in their late 80s.) We had no trouble getting seated right away and we decided to go with a hummas plate to start. It was good stuff. Not too much, not to little. I ordered the buffalo "chicken" wrap. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I loved the sauce. It was well done with good textures and crispness. Norma had the lasagna. I am not a fan of mushrooms but everyone at the table liked it. My hunny had the spicy shrimp thai pasta. Cleaned his plate. We all shared some fries. I can't remember what my MIL or Roy ordered but we really enjoyed the food. The things that I didn't like. The staff has zero charisma. I like to be nice and friendly to people I interact with. The staff here was blah. No amount of politeness or silly jokes could get them to crack smiles. It made me feel like I was not welcome. The seating in the booths is NOT COMFY!! You are sitting on plywood with 90 degree angled backs. My butt hurt when we left. I will be back. I just will sit in a chair and hopefully get someone with pizazz.
(4)Ben F.
Service here is bad, easily some of the worst I've had in Portland. You want to experience that aloof hipster attitude people love to complain about? Go here. Waited 30 min on a Saturday for a counter seat for brunch. The wait was pretty average for a popular brunch place. Took a good 10 min for someone to acknowledge our presence after being sat, which is inexcusable considering we were sitting right in front of all the servers at the counter. Finally got an order in, waited another 30+ min for our food to arrive, all the while watching the parties on either side of us, who were sat and ordered quite some time after us, get their food. The food itself was boring and under seasoned. The almond gravy I had heard so much about was like a bland gluey paste. The chicken sausages were pitifully small. Again back to the service, it was horrible. The woman who served us was cold and aloof, never once apologizing for the ridiculous wait on our food or even checking in on us once the order was placed. Keep in mind she was 3-5ft away from us nearly the entire time puttering around behind the counter doing busy work. Vita Cafe = Fail.
(1)Madhu R.
Fresh food and great outdoor area. Big portions for not that much money. Service can be hit or miss. Hit (if you get the cooky waiter with dreds and sleeve tatoos who's sortof like Tommy Chong), or miss (if you get the waiters/waitresses with fewer tatoos and who are "too cool" to be friendly).
(4)Evelyn M.
I can't believe I haven't already written a review for Vita Cafe. To start with the Bloody Mary is per-fect:spicy and delicious with any meal. What do I love to eat here? the vegan club!!! the reuben!!! ahhhh the "fishwich" !!! the seitan cheese steak!!! biscuits and gravy! The fresh cut fries are real and crispy and generously portioned-I ask for a side of veganaise when I'm not feeling like ketchup. One thing though, my companion had a burger once and was sorely disappointed. Too bad. I've only been for lunch but look forward to trying brunch and dinner. I suspect I'll have a hard time choosing among the wide variety on the menu.
(4)Kedar D.
Vita Cafe has a cool vibe and feels like a rustic diner where you could chill with friends, get a beer or a cup of coffee, and talk about life. It's a laid-back joint. I wasn't impressed with the food, however. I had a half order of vegan french toast ($3.50), a Denver tofu scramble ($8) and also tried a few bites of my friend's vegan biscuits and gravy ($5). First, the french toast was not good. While I like that the bread had heft (as opposed to being made with sandwich bread, they make it with sourdough at Vita), the bread itself was too sour for my likes. The syrup didn't help much. Also, the texture of the bread came across as chewy, rather than moist and fluffy. The tofu scramble was really basic: tofu, seitan, bell peppers and onions sauteed in oil and served with some fried potatoes and toast. The scramble itself could have used more spices (maybe I ordered the wrong one? they had multiple scramble offerings) an the portion size wasn't particularly large; most of the calories seemed to come from the potatoes. I loved the spelt toast, however. My friend's biscuits and gravy were okay, but not the best I've ever had. For one thing, the biscuits were too dense and hard, and not flaky-soft. Also, the almond gravy is a nice bit of experimentation, but as others have noted, mushroom gravies just work better than anything else. Lastly, the dish could have used more scallions and maybe a nice heaping of diced tomatoes just to freshen up the plate and bring out some other flavors. Kudos to Vita for serving loose-leaf teas, by the way. The service was friendly but not particularly fast; we waited at least 15 minutes for our order, which was strange given that there weren't many people in the restaurant. All told, Vita isn't great but I suppose its vibe and solid number of vegan offerings make it a keeper. That said, you can get better vegan brunch foods elsewhere (Sweetpea Bakery comes to mind).
(2)Carlin S.
My favourite breakfast on the Alberta strip by far. TONS of vegan/veg options and really good about the gluten-free thing too! Really friendly staff, and all the food is super fresh and doesn't feel greasy. Have been mostly for breakfast, and love all the tofu scrambles, gluten-free corn muffin, and huevos rancheros. I love this place!
(5)Ludo N.
Tried breakfast at Vita the other day and it just isn't very good. The service was nice but the food just isn't great.
(3)Hilary B.
The vegan, veggie & gluten-free selections are great at this newly located restaurant. I have always been a big fan of the corn cakes, scrambles and sandwiches. Vita's new home brings a bit more (indoor) seating and increasingly surly service. The last few visits I have experienced less-than-pleasant servers but the food keeps me coming back. I hope they are able to get that 4th star on the way with some simple changes with their FOH staff.
(3)Jess P.
I think I shed a tear when I first saw vegetarian chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes on their menu. Combined with a beer and some mint chocolate cake, I ate and drank myself into a beautifully blissful comatose state. I was in my own little vegetarian nirvana. On my second trip I tried the buffalo chicken wrap and my friend had the club sandwich. The wrap was very good and I was surprised by what they managed to do with that tofu- but I suppose cardboard would be delicious if it were fried and smothered in sauces. The club was also good, albeit a little plain. My main complaint is that even the entrees are served more a la carte style. I'm not a huge french fry peson, so I wasn't disappointed that those weren't on the side. However, I would have loved to have a green salad or one of those other customary sides. But in order to do so I would have had to pay an extra $3.50. At already $8 for the wrap alone, it seemed like the charge for adding a side could have been lower. But this is just my student loans groaning. The servers have always been very pleasant- no complaints there. The decor is certainly charmingly off-kilter- we sat behind a painting taken from a long-deceased barber shop of their offered hairstyles/shaves. My personal favorite was the "sideburn that turns into a mustache" look. Sexy, but besides the point. You and I both know as soon as we've found mustache art, we've found a hipster haven. UPDATE: I finally tried their brunch. A little underwhelmed. The huevos rancheros was smothered in a chili- I prefer huevos rancheros to showcase fresh flavors like pico de gallo instead. I'd also advise others to steer clear of the bloody mary's. Too acidic, not enough balance. Sort of had to choke it down.
(3)Kiki S.
First things first, if you've never been here there's a coffee shop - Caffe Vita - about a block and a half away. I didn't realize this on my first visit and walked down Alberta with a sad face until I found the actual cafe. This place is great for vegans, vegetarians and the gluten-free. They have meat-eating options, too, but I don't think they're quite as outstanding as their sans-options. And hey - that's cool with me. There are plenty of amazing places for me to go gnaw on a hunk of meat at, it's about time the alternatives got some rockin' good service, too. My husband is gluten-free and one of his main gripes is visiting a restaurant that will happily turn an order GF by removing any bread, toast, etc. but still charge him the full price, despite the fact that he's getting less. At Vita Cafe, they replace any side of bread with a corn muffin. And it seems like at least 50% of the menu, if not more, is capable of being made GF, too. The fries are fat and crispy. The lemonade comes in a mason jar. The windows are big and the staff is always friendly. We got much love for Vita.
(4)Sheena H.
Tasty vegan eats at this place. My personal favorite was the supergrain salad with the carrot ginger dressing. The nachos were okay, wasn't stoked on the chili bean decision, though. The service was a bit to be desired. Our server didn't check back, had to help ourselves to get utensils and napkins, and our water wasn't offered to be refilled at all. So to sum up, the food was a thumbs up, the service, well, not so much.
(3)Rene G.
I had the Buffalo Wrap, fries and a side of mac & cheeze. The wrap was spicy and yummy, fries were crispy and home-made, and the mac & cheeze was a little bowl of awesome! They carry Stumptown Coffee which is also a real treat. I dig this spot alot.
(4)Suma S.
Hate to update with fewer stars, because this used to be one of my favorite places and I'd come here like once a week. The food is still good, but the service has basically driven my crew's patronage to other veggie-friendly places in town. It's a pity. For the past few months, we by some horrible fate always end up with the same server, no matter what time we come, who always conveniently "forgets" a part of my order. I suppose a cup of soup, sandwich, and oh lord, fries, is basically just throwing both of my feet in the grave, because each time I order, she kind of stares in an expression hovering somewhere between fear and disgust. Uh? Ok? And really, who are you judge people's eating habits? Anyway, she always forgets a part of my order. Whether it's the side of fries or my freakin' entree. Everyone else's food will arrive and mine will either just not arrive at all or she'll forget part of someone else's order at my table to try to convince us to just share it. If the other person mentions it, she often makes a snide comment about how she thought "that would be plenty". News at 11! You're not eating it! It's seriously so rude and embarrassing that I have had to talk people down from confronting this server or calling the manager over on at least three occasions, because, I reasoned, she's "new". Well, she isn't new anymore and we eat at other places now because ordering food that, I assume, is on the menu because the owners of this place would like people's business, which is had by ordering food, has become so emotionally difficult and socially awkward that we just don't want to endure it. Two of the three of us that were regulars are recovering from EDs. Food judgment and attempt to re-portion our orders is the exact opposite of what we look for in a dining experience. Our average bill would usually come to around $40-50/week back when the staff was comprised of friendly people who understood how service works. We aren't crappy tippers, either. That's a lot of money that we're taking to other places now. It's too bad, because we all miss the tempeh.
(2)Merlin A.
Food = tasty. Price = good value. Cloud of flies in the dining room = I won't be coming back.
(2)Cheryl R.
I was impressed by this place! A great stop for vegan food, nice atmosphere, good coffee and great portions.
(5)Lauren G.
Came here for a drink and some nachos. It took about 15 minutes for someone to come greet us and take our order, but after that they had it figured out.
(4)Trevor G.
Wonderful vegan food at its finest. Service was slow (very slow), but our server was great. He gave us great recommendations and was very friendly. There were two other servers as well and it looked like our server was having to work extra hard because the other two were slow to the point of being zombies.
(3)Jason C.
Cute, welcoming decor but service was a little slow most likely because we walked in seconds after they opened. Started with the Buffalo Tofu which was amazing, I think they fry it tempura style before soaking it in delicious, spicy, buffalo sauce. Wife had the Salmon cakes (amazing) and the Philly sandwich. All in all definitely in my top list of vegetarian restaraunts.
(4)Jens J.
PDX sure seems to be a town of weekend early risers! We drove over to Alberta for breakfast before nine this Saturday morning only to find people already waiting for tables at Helser's and Tin Shed. JP is now leery of trying places unless they have been checked out on Yelp first, but I said "Pshaw, let's try Vita Cafe since it is not crowded." C'mon, gotta have a sense of adventure! We proceeded into the restaurant after passing by a fenced outdoor eating area overgrown with weeds and ratty lawn furniture. We were told to sit anywhere. We likes that! Our waitress brought us some yummy smooth rocket fuel-injected Holler Mountain Stumptown Coffee. I could jog from here to Chicago and back again on that stuff. It wasn't until we saw the menu we saw this was a Vegan restaurant. And that's fine, because we have had some very good experiences with Vegan (Papa G's in PDX and Hillside Cafe in Seattle). We both ordered the "chicken"-fried steak ($8.50). JP had the roasted red potatoes with his and I had the brown rice. Either way it was very good and very filling. Gravy was seasoned perfectly. JP also ordered "apple sausage". I really couldn't tell that the sausage was not bona fide meat. However, its seasonings were a little overwhelming. I had a Mexican corn pancake ($3.50). The Mexican corn pancake came with salsa, gauc and a white mayo-ey dipping sauce that was sheer heaven. I told our waitress how much I loved the dipping sauce and that brought a toothy grin to her face. She told us the "sour cream" was made from tofu and chives. Some other menu items: "burgers", soups, salads, Reuben sandwiches, scrambles, "mac & cheese" and Thai pasta. No dessert items though! Note too that Wednesday is their specials night with $2 well drinks, $2 drafts and $5 cocktails (I did see Tangeray on their booze rack, but no Cointreau). Only real minus was that the service was rather slow (not the waitress but the kitchen). But I did notice that another cook and waitress started their shifts about a half hour after we got there.
(4)Orianne G.
Vita Cafe is a very Portlandy place. The booths are made out of plywood and the lights are made out of mason jars. They have tons of vegetarian/vegan options but also quite a bit of meat. Almost everything I've eaten here has been incredibly delicious. The buffalo tofu wrap is devine, and the vegan club sandwich is simply scrumptious. Of the many dishes I've ordered (and the many I've sampled from my boyfriends plate) there are only a few I wasn't wild about. My least favorite have been the "chicken" fried steak and the supergrain salad with the lemon tahini dressing. Oh! I almost forgot the thai coconut soup! THAT is something you have to try. The hipster people that work there are quite friendly, which is refreshing in a town where vegan restaurants are full of judgmental douche bags. In summary, the people are nice, the decor fun, and the food is delish- What more could you ask for?
(4)Ravyn S.
We love Vita Cafe ... We venture out to NE Portland a few times a month just to eat here. I love that their small-ish menu has so many great options for vegans/vegetarians/gluten-free people. There's typically a little bit of a wait, but once we're seated, the service is great and fast. My favorite item on the menu is the vegan nachos ... closely followed by their vegan caesar salad.
(4)Aimee L.
Haven't been here in years so decided to try their breakfast as I'd never had it, as I was craving a good vegetarian breakfast . It was pretty quiet for a holiday morning where there were lines at most places, so nice to get in and get a seat. The Thai Corn Cake was ok - couldn't taste the ginger at all and ended up using the coconut syrup provided to give it a bit of flavor. It's literally the size of one giant pancake, so you don't want to order much more - I'd recommend they make a couple of 'silver dollar' size cakes and serve it with fruits and/or veggies as this got pretty boring after a while to eat with not as much flavor as it could have. I love the idea though so my suggestions are only to make it better! Got a side of fruit which was 90% pineapple and red grapes, and a tasteless fig (sad face). So, I was underwhelmed. Wasn't awful but coulda been better. Service was A-OK as well.
(3)Eric P.
Great place for vegetarians and non-vegs (like me) alike! The buffalo tofu wrap is everything everyone else has proclaimed it to be. The fries are great too, and the side order could feed a small army. I've had the Fishwich (standard fried fish sandwich with tofu instead of fish) and a Seitan Cheese Steak, both were good, but not as good as that buffalo wrap. I'll have to update this review once I've had a chance to try the breakfast.
(4)Sara S.
MORNING POTATOES WITH ALMOND GRAVY. You have not truly experienced all that is the Vita until you've tried the morning potatoes with almond gravy. Also, the Country Comfort platter is very good, I highly recommend it. The waitresses always snicker when I order a Kaliber, though. Maybe it's an inside joke- I don't care, I'll drink my non-alcoholic beer at noon, thank you. ;) I have yet to venture into the dessert case, (usually I have stuffed myself beyond fathomable limits), but one of these days... that toasted coconut cake and I will have a serious confrontation.
(5)Mal C.
I'll start by saying that I'm not vegetarian or vegan. If that were the case, then I'd probably be raving about this place too. I have to say that I LOVED the corn cakes. They were freaking awesome! The eggs and bacon I know are from local, sustainable, organic farms, but they didn't really stand out for me. The cons are the prices are pretty steep - I guess that's what you pay for local, sustainable, organic farm goods (e.g. $3.50 for bacon)? The service was really slow - I thought they were biking to the farm to get the ingredients... that would be very Portlandia. I'd go back though... for the corn cakes!
(3)Hargobind K.
Man this place is awesome! I've been a vegetarian my whole life and so it was thrilling the first few times I came here to have so many awesome menu items to choose from. Not only that, but almost everything here is delicious! I'm a huge fan of their Buffalo Tofu Wrap, their Fishwich, and their Sloppy Biscuit Sandwich. They always seem to be semi-busy, no matter what time of morning or night. Sometimes there's a wait, but it never seems to be more than 10 minutes. There are 4 huge booths that can accommodate 6-8 people easily. They have Wifi too, and great music playing over the speakers. I've stopped here many times to work on my laptop, and all the servers are friendly and fine with you being here. I'm still getting to know the Portland restaurant scene, but so far this place is definitely in my top 5!
(5)Jesha M.
So far I've only come here for breakfast (albeit at 9am or 2pm) and the food is always good and consistent, maybe because I always order the same thing. The service is nothing to thrive about but there are a few staff members who seem to moderately enjoy their job. The food is pretty good and the selection is pretty awesome. The mason jar lights above the bar are pretty cool too.
(4)Brandon T.
The veggie chicken fried steak is delicious and this time around the gravy was actually pretty good. Today they had a special on pecan, strawberry and banana corn cakes and I wish I knew how to make those things on my own because they were delicious, I should have gotten two! I still hold firm on the light bulb thing. This place prides itself on being environmentally friendly and even donate to organizations in the community yet they still use incandescent light bulbs. Just upgrade to CFLS or LEDs or something.
(4)Yolanda Y.
Yummy vegan burritos, perfect for brunch. They've got a bunch of beers to choose from and they make cocktails. This was my first meal in Portland, and it set me off to a good start. I think the service could be faster, but I imagine there were a lot of other hungry people like me who also needed their food. If you're looking for events around town, towards the back by the restrooms there is a table and a bulletin board of things going on in the community.
(4)mister k.
I've got a lot of vegetarian food festivals under my belt, but this year I made it to Portland's VegFest for the first time. I was comforted by the sight of the usual food samples. Picture tiny, imperfect squares of vegan cheese on toothpicks, plastic cups of juice with hemp protein powder mixed in, and lots of cultish rainbow packaging. When we walked up to the Vita Cafe table, I thought I'd stepped through a portal into someplace where the rules had been changed and the game had been upped. Way upped. I couldn't believe it when I was handed a perfectly conceived bite on a skewer: a round biscuit followed by a sausage meatball sitting in a puddle of gravy and garnished with herbs and scallions. Hello! We decided to take it as a sign when the stars aligned and the Yelp app on my Google phone suggested Vita Cafe, and did not regret it. My wife remembered that all I'd been wanting to find was some fancy lemonade, and the sweet server offered up a prickly pear lemonade in a mason jar with a lemon garnish. Ahhhhh. I also got to steal sips of the Rogue Hazelnut Brown they had on tap. I'll be honest, I make a pretty mean almond gravy at home and I'm often disappointed by the vegetarian glue served up at many restaurants. I am always afraid things will go terribly wrong when I order. I decided to go for the chicken friend steak served with mashed potatoes and gravy. The "steak" being made of tempeh was another chance for things to go terribly wrong, but every bite was delicious. I did give up a few bites in trade for some of my wife's buffalo tofu wrap, which was full of pretty incredible flavor. All that and the bill only came to $23? If only we had room for dessert. I will definitely come back for more.
(4)Kimmy K.
This place is great from the vegan to the meat eater. No matter what your taste, make sure to get the buffalo things. I could eat a whole plate myself. And your plate, too. Yes, they are that good. They have a great all night happy hour with cheap food plates on Wed nights.
(4)Jeremy D.
I've dropped in here 3 times now. The first time was late on Easter Sunday. The place was empty, but the staff stayed around to serve me. With no one else in the place, service was prompt and friendly. I ordered the BLT and it was probably the best BLT I've ever had. This first visit probably raised the bar a bit too high because the last 2 visits have been lacking considerably... I returned the following week on a Thursday. The place was probably half-full and the "please wait to be seated " sign was up. I was acknowledged quickly, but after 15 minutes,of not being seated, I left. I decided to give them one more shot for lunch today. I arrived shortly after 11, and it was "seat yourself " quiet. It took at least 5 minutes to get my water and order an iced tea. It took another 10 minutes for anyone to take my food order and that only because I flagged a waitress down. I ordered the BLT and a side salad. It took at least another 15 minutes for the BLT. Seriously, guys, this is bacon, lettuce and tomato. Not only that, but they didn't even bother to bring me the salad first. Refills on the ice tea were slow and infrequent and the bill was snuck onto my table without so much as a thank you or goodbye. I'll be the first to admit I'm not a malnourished bearded gay hipster vegan that frequents a place like this, but I deserve better service. If that damn BLT wasn't so awesome, I'd never go back.
(2)Gina H.
The food here is good! I love the vegan and veggie options. The cost isn't too bad. I have never had bad service there and the wait is never that long. I will be coming back to this place (and I love taking friends from out of town there).
(4)Puanani L.
Just a hop skip and a jump from our door, i have just discovered the glories of Vita Cafe. Service is friendly and prompt. Atmosphere is casual and funky and laid back. It feels cozy. I am a fan of the Multi-Grain Salad. I wake up mornings thinking about it. Everything was fresh and quickly prepared. Late one evening, we took a walk to pick up some sweet treats and french fries, their french fries are GREAT. The sweets were fresh and tasty and gosh, everyone is just so nice.
(4)Jeremy H.
We love this place. I haven't been impressed by everything, but I do love coming here. The Seitan Cheese Sandy is good, but not like others I've had elsewhere. The Lemongrass Noodle dish I had when I decided to go out on a limb wasn't impressive at all. I was disappointed cuz I LOVE lemongrass. But the buffalo wings. Oh damn, those wings. They are spicy and sexy. Hence, also, the Buffalo Wrap is bombnasty. BOMB. Bombtastic. The Caesar Salad is outstanding. The Coconut Soup is pretty good. The desserts here are amazing! Try the carrot cake. Try the oatmeal cake. Try it. Try it. I'd punch a baby for one right now. The service is friendly, and we haven't had to wait too long ever. There's usually a bunch of people with kids there so it's a good place for children. Ok, that concludes my review because I gotta go eat at Vita. Peace.
(4)Mark W.
The food was okay, nothing astounding. The service however was utterly terribly. I sat waiting for my friend getting more and more depressed at the "music" that was being blared out of the speakers. Full volume pop music that I have expected at a 7-11. The place was filled with couples, all trying to have a conversation but needing to raise their voices to be heard over the pumping bass. When my friend arrived (she had been sitting in Cafe Vita..seriously, whats that about?) she immediately asked the waitress if she could please turn down the music. I'm English, overtly polite, so that didn't ever occur to me. The waitress sniffed and left - the music was turned down a tiny amount. After trying to converse over what utterly sounded like Kesha, my friend asked if it was possible to change the station so something a little less taxing on the ears. The waitress replied, "We like this music." Previously I have worked as a server and I find it rather astounding to receive that reply. Not a single customer looked like the type that would enjoy the type of music that was blaring over the speakers - at full volume again. Will definitely not be back.
(1)kelly s.
I don't find this place very impressive. Their service has always fumbled my order, and taken a while. When I have ordered egg items, they come out burnt. I felt like one of their only redeeming qualities was their cute location, but now they are in a cheesy new location across the street. It's like a slightly less fresh and tasty cup and saucer. -The good, they are very gay friendly, not that most places in portland aren't, but I always feel comfortable here.
(3)Adam B.
Vita Cafe did me right for all three meals I ate there: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I was always able to sit down right away and the service was prompt and responsive. It's a no thrills atmosphere inside, and I like Kedar D's description, "a rustic diner." Everything my wife and I ate we enjoyed. A highlight was the breakfast burrito. Rather unassuming on the menu, I was surprised by the behemoth I was served. The huevos rancheros was also a plentiful helping of pure deliciousness. We ate everything vegan style. The buffalo wrap and flamin tempeh dish were on target for flavor and portion size too. Based on my three visits, the service and cooking was consistently great at Vita, and I have no hesitancy in recommending them.
(4)Shana G.
It's so hit and miss. Typically what I have found is that the food is somewhat good and the service is atrocious.
(2)Jenn C.
Disclaimer: I am a carnivorous carnivore who is willing to step over to the dark side for the sake of vegetarian friends. So when my co-worker, freshly back from Hawaii was seeking some NW fare for the veggiesaurus within him I started searching for someplace I had never been. Insert Vita Cafe. Fresh on (that's right it's still going...) a bloody mary kick I ordered theirs to see how it competed with the Observatory (both use wasabi instead of horseradish). Observatory takes that one for flavor and price (Observatory is $7 for a 10oz and Vita is $8 for a kerr jar). Fresh on a stress-binge eating spree I decided I wanted to take the high road and eat something good for me. I ordered the super salad with quinoa, pumpkin seeds, currants and a house made lemon tahini dressing and the soup de jour, a southwest veggie (which I think came in the form of a chili). They also have a house made bread that was fantastic. Servings were generous and the service was great too. All in all it was delish for a meat free meal that came in with a pricetag of $16.50 with a mary. I'd go back for sure with or without a reason to eat a meat free dish.
(4)Tommy T.
Mmmm so many vegan options. The Vita is a great standby that's been on Alberta before most of the hip places were there. The prices aren't that steep and food is fresh. The service is friendlier than other reviewers make it out to be and the place is clean. It's nice that you can get a soup/ salad or a greasy vegan burger at the same place.
(5)Karin H.
Good food, but wow the service was extremely slow and not friendly.
(2)Ryan P.
It's a good sign when you go somewhere on a Wednesday night, an hour before it closes and it's still quite busy. Vita Cafe was like that and with good reason. My usually quite critical over vegetarian and vegan food and their menu is among the best I've had. A great selection of American, pasta, and Thai. Their Chicken Fried Steak was unbelievably tasty. I would drive back down there just for that.
(4)john j.
I judge a restaurant based on their blue cheese dressing, and Vita passes. I dream about being dipped in it. Or having someone else dipped in it so I can lick it off them. Cute decor, and lots of veggie options so you don't feel like a second class citizen.
(5)Sarah S.
We went to Vita Cafe for brunch. I was impressed by the variety of menu options. I couldn't decide! As a vegan, this isn't an experience I have all too often. While the breakfast items look similar to other veg restaurants, they did set themselves apart. They are not stingy with the gravy! I'll admit, for weekend brunch I am basically looking for a gravy vehicle. So don't give me a lot of biscuits with a dollop of gravy. Two ladles of gravy and one biscuit is the ideal, and I feel like Vita achieved that! Go gravy!
(4)Ann M.
In our hometown, there are about four restaurant entrees I can order if I want to have a vegan meal I didn't cook, and half of those require me to ask for modifications. So I'm like a kid in a candy store when a restaurant is predominantly vegan. In order to blunt the pain of actually having to choose, I had the soup and salad combo with the Thai coconut soup and the supergrain salad. The soup was nicely flavored and creamy, but with a bit more body than a Tom Yum with coconut milk added. I didn't ask, but perhaps the soup incorporated some pureed legumes? The supergrain salad was comprised of black and white quinoa, baby greens (including some fresh herbs), red pepper slices, lovely smoked pepitas, and guacamole. The standard choice is between lemon tahini dressing and carrot ginger. I chose the latter, and it was lovely. The combo comes with the onion herb bread, which was easily the tastiest bread I have ever consumed. Ever. My husband ordered the pesto lasagna, which he enjoyed, and which was slathered in a terrific amount of pesto sauce. It was served with a salad on the side, which looked rather basic, but fresh and good. Our son is twelve, and he is making a heroic effort to expand his culinary horizons after a lifetime of preferring plain peanut butter sandwiches. He ordered the Italian pasta--rotini noodles with crushed tomatoes, vegan sausage, and kale. It was a simply prepared dish, and he enjoyed it. Our server was sweet and efficient, but not smothering. My one complaint would be that the music was just a touch too loud. We're all relatively soft-spoken, and it was a tiny bit hard to converse. We would definitely return.
(5)Pam M.
Shame on me for coming here for a special birthday. While the service started out friendly it quickly disappeared after our food arrived. The staff seemed disorganized and unable to check on us at any point to offer a second drink, bill or perhaps a piece of birthday cake. After I flagged someone down I asked for a bill and piece of cake. When it arrived I mentioned I was hoping to have it there, but had to get two toddlers home who were near melt down point (after promising cake for the past two hours) I was told "well we are busy" - ouch!
(2)L. R.
Not much to say except Iove it, vegan friendly, staff friendly as can be and food outrageously good!
(5)Ashley G.
I tried the Seitan Fajita Platter tonight... it was a very ample meal for $10.95... came with a sizzling platter of seitan, peppers and onions (I nixed the mushrooms in my order). I got a whole separate plate with 4 or 5 corn tortillas, guacamole, vegan sour cream (sort of), brown rice, salsa and chili beans. It's a lot of food. I was hoping to LOVE this dish but I just liked it. Actually the seitan fajita part was great...praise seitan! The vegan sour cream was sort of watered down, not so fond of it. The guacamole came mostly with a giant hunk of hard fork bending avocado (when I tried to smash it), but the waitress brought me some more guacamole when I asked. I would've rather had just plain beans over the chili beans (the taste was a bit much combined with the fajitas). I'm sure I will end up back at Vita again with vegan friends. I might order this dish again. I'm sort of inclined just to get a basket of fries, which seems to be the one thing I really like there.
(3)Manda B.
Dammit I love this place. I would've givin it 5 stars but the vegan bloody mary's are too expensive for what you get. Country comfort - ohmahguhhhh.... so good. Savory tofu, perfect potatoes, biscuit & almond gravy and veg sausage = heaven on a plate ya'll. Clean, cool paintings, good beers on tap, crazy amounts of vegan options and great atmosphere. I heart Vita Cafe.
(4)Rosetta S.
Just okay. I've had better elsewhere, flavors were lacking. Tried 6 dishes. "Fish sticks" were just battered tofu, without flavor, fries were blackened, "ranch" dressing chalky, vegan cheese gross. But their thai coconut soup was delicious. Boring, but not awful food.
(2)Suzie J.
I have been meaning to try out this restaurant located on Alberta for close to 6+ months. I had the opportunity to go just the other night. As you can see from a lot of my reviews with food, I love noodles...I adore them! I decided to go with the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which consisted of a variety of veggies (cauliflower, red and green cabbage, red peppers, kale, mushrooms,etc) in a lemongrass, ginger broth accented with cilantro. You could definitely taste the lemongrass. I wanted this dish to be bottomless - fabulous dish! My friend had the Savory Seitan Stew. It was homemade seitan and veggies served over vegan mashed potatoes. For someone who is not vegan, I tried a bite of the dish and thought it was great as well. It's good to try dishes that you wouldn't normally have at home. If you are around the Alberta district, I would strongly suggest that you try out the Vita Cafe. One place you'll continue to come back to. I know that I will!
(4)Calvin E.
Since moving to Portland over 2 years ago, this place has become one of my favorite places to eat. I truly enjoy going somewhere and being able to eat everything on the menu. It is heaven. I have tried a good majority of the menu, and while not everything is vegan bliss, it is usually quite tasty and filling. Yes, it is a tad on the pricey side, but I feel the ability to not have to search out food I can actually eat is worth it. My favorites are the Buffalo Tofu Wrap and the Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken Fried Steak. Both delicious and super filling. Also, the raspberry apple cider is my all time favorite fruit beverage. My only real serious gripe with this place is some of the servers tend to act annoyed that they have to do their job. I'm sorry if I need another drink, but I am a lush who is more than happy to tip, if treated with respect. Get over yourself.
(4)R W.
Vita is a solid three and not one star more. The food is hit and miss, usually a hit. The ingredients are always great, but some things just don't work out. For instance, I will never order soup there again, it's just too risky. Service is very slow and it is not a good lunch place during the week, and on the weekends it's slammed for brunch. Condiments are doled out by the servers who check in infrequently. I really hate that. Refills? Not so much. But you do get a big pitcher of water so that helps. I've gone to the Vita about two dozen times over the last seven years, while it has improved some it still is the same old vegan hipster hole-in-the-wall. That's the good and that's the bad.
(3)Laurie D.
Nothing to bring me back. Very surprised at the ratings.
(2)Geanna M.
I go here so often that it's hard to leave an un-biased review. Need a place for non-vegan and vegan family members and/or friends to have fun? Check. Need a place to enjoy a nice cocktail or domestic brew on tap? Check. Need a place for really tasty comfort food at decent prices? Check. Need a place that has a really wide selection of gluten-free items? Check.
(4)Strea T.
Pretty disappointing. I'm a vegan on a foodtour of Portland, and I must say that much of the food at Vita Cafe was hum-drum, especially for the prices. The macaroni & cheese tasted like there was nothing but soymilk on pasta and was way too expensive at $4.50 for a tiny thimble. The sandwich was alright but also flavorless and something I could have made at home. I got the peanutbutter chocolate cheesecake and it wasn't a big piece but costed $5.50. I make better vegan cheesecakes than they can. At least it didn't taste like silken tofu... It just tasted like firm tofu plus flour. I liked the soup, but that's pretty standard. Our waitress, while smiling and nice, was absent a ton. She never gave us a refill on drinks (soda), didn't ask about a bread choice for my soup, just gave me one the one I didn't want and didn't even split the bill! We will be going back to better places rather than going there ever again.
(2)Grace B.
My first impression of this place was with my vegan friend who ordered some corn cakes... they were pretty good. I came back here after I started reading the book Eating Animals and was feeling REALLY crazy about food. I had no idea if I still wanted to eat eggs, I was feeling bad about soy products, etc. So I ordered some kind of breakfast with tempeh that was pretty unsatisfying, and decided I was not into the Vita Cafe. A friend wanted to go last week so I humored her. I got the soup and salad which was tasty, and our server was really cute and silly. Also, above our table was an insane unicorn painting. Much better experience. So why is this five stars? The H.O.G. Homemade Herb and Onion bread with almond Gravy. I grew up on single mom income food-- stuff like creamed tuna on toast. The type of thing I thought I'd never get again... until the HOG. The HOG is the most delicious, comforting meal ever. I went there twice in a week to order it. I want to be eating it right now.
(5)Ben M.
Yuck! Horrible service too. Actually I used to kinda like the sweet potato fries until I ordered them... waited an hour... asked the waitress where my fries were and she replied "don't you know it's good luck when your order isn't put in right away.." she said she would bring me a larger order which when finally came was smaller than a small. Thanks a lot Vita. Keep that penny I left you, you earned it.
(1)Dana S.
BUFFALO TOFU WRAAAP. SHIT'S LEGIT. I had vegan ranch all over my face because I was eating it like an animal. Felt the need to share that. It was awesome. I want to eat it for life. Also got the vegan club. A double-decker 'wich on sourdough with tempeh bacon, homemade fake turkey and other thingies. Mad good! The fake turkey was ridic! And no, I did not eat both of these by my lonesome, but I probably could have. I could also eat all those desserts in the case. I will definitely be getting a slice of chocolate mint cake next time.
(5)Lindsay D.
My husband was vegan for the first several years of our marriage so we used to go to Vita all the time. Then he started eating bacon and our restaurant choices shifted. Last night I made it back to the Vita with some friends. The service was friendly, and at an average pace. Prices are decent, nothing too high. I had a great spinach salad. While everyone at the table tasted my vegan mac n cheese and swore it was really good, I wasn't all that convinced. It was ok - but when I think mac n cheese I think gooey and cheesy, and it was more like noodles sprinkled with a lot of vegan parmesan. I'm SO not a wine snob (give it to me in a bottle or a box, I don't care!), but the pinot noir I had seriously tasted like it was the cheapest wine ever. That would be ok for maybe $3 but definitely not $8. Blah! A friend next to me is from Texas, so her standards of things like gravy are high. I knew she would be disappointed with a fake chicken fried steak but she took the plunge anyway (especially after server recommendation). She ate it because she ordered it, but bemoaned it's complete lack of chicken fried steakness when we got to the car. On a high note, their desserts are damned awesome - and vegans can rejoice on that one. Oh yeah - AND IT WAS FREAKING HOT IN THERE! Those of us in skirts/dresses were sweating all over those wooden booths like no tomorrow. I like an open atmosphere, but dudes get some fans or something!
(3)Isa M.
I have to begin this review by mentioning that I almost died at Vita Cafe. The reason that I have to mention it is that I still go there. At least twice a week. That is how much I love Vita! The service is so much better since they've moved locations, everything comes out fast and the wait staff is super nice and just generally have their shit together. I mention that because in the old place you'd get a sandwich and then 20 minutes later your dining partner would get their sandwich. Now it's like 10 minutes TOPS for everything to get to you, the way you ordered it. So yay. OK so the food. My drug of choice at Vita is breakfast. Awesome almond gravy, excellent scrambled tofu and tempeh, crisp home fries and melty earth balance marble rye. Plus vegan french toast and pancakes! What more could a girl want? Oh, a little thing of nutritional yeast at your table? Yeah, you can have that. I almost always the Vita scramble, it has spinach, garlic and red onion. Can't go wrong. For dinner I have a cardinal rule: stick to the sandwiches! The entrees do tend to be bland and just a little awkward, if food can be awkward. But the sandwiches are the best ever. For some reason the buffalo wrap is listed in entrees, so that is my exception to my cardinal rule, but really it's a sandwich just listed in the wrong section. Anyway, sooo good. Fried hot sauce & firm tofu yumminess, creamy flavorful ranch. Simply slammin'. Other 'wiches I like: fishwhich (outta control tartar sauce) and club (homemade seitan turkey!) The salads are nice too. The quinoa salad with guac and pumpkin seeds and currants, I think it's called the supergrain? Superyum. And the caesar is so good, it's tahini based and you just wanna slurp it up. I didn't give Vita 5 stars because it is so vegan friendly it should just be vegan. Why in the world is there meat on the menu? Also, the biscuit isn't fluffy and flaky, it's kind of muffiny - but I still totally eat it with their awesome gravy. And also, the aforementioned entrees are definitely not 5 star. But a lot of it is, just choose wisely!
(4)Kate B.
I love, love, love this place. The $1 kids menu from 5-7 daily is a steal -- I hesitate to mention it because I don't want it to become too crowded to get a seat. Our kids have food allergies so vegan options typically work best for us. The vegan mac & cheese is really good -- no weird aftertaste and it doesn't look nasty (this is a real treat for kids who cannot eat the traditional version). We always get the mixed veggie plate as well and it's got a great variety, with the usuals (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower) as well as the less typical (kale, cabbage, etc.) It's always fresh and the kids love it. I am personally hooked on the buffalo tofu wrap. My husband really likes the Thai coconut soup w/ that heavenly onion herb bread. The beer selection is good (not great) and they also serve cocktails. We live close by so we're lucky enough to be able to eat here often. I have experienced a few of the cantankerous waitstaff but not enough to keep us away. The food is just too good.
(5)Matt D.
I absolutely love this place. Since discovering it about 2 weeks ago, I just can't seem to get enough of it and I've gone four times. As someone who eats a 90% plant based diet (even though I don't claim to be a vegan/vegetarian), this place is zen. I can say with 100% certainty that even the biggest of carnivores wouldn't miss having meat while eating at Vita Cafe. Not only do they have fantastic, high quality meat alternatives, but they prepare them in such a way that you don't even care that there isn't any meat. Some of my favorite dishes: The buffalo tofu wrap is outstanding. It's moist (many vegetarian wraps I've had are very dry), spicy, and quite satiating. I don't even like the taste of ranch, but the vegan ranch they use is quite delicious. It's more of just a dill sauce than a ranch dressing. The cheesesteak is an amazing substitute for the original, except it won't clog your arteries. The vegetables and seitan are seasoned and cooked to perfection and placed on the most delicious roll. Finally, the chili. Before having Vita Cafe's, I always thought that Laughing Planet had the best vegan chili. Though they are quite different, Vita has a slight edge due to the fact that it's much more satiating, complex and spicy than Laughing Planet's offering. It also comes with a fantastic corn muffin. The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because the service can be somewhat inconsistent. I've had some of the greatest service imaginable here, but other waitresses can be downright rude.
(4)Lid C.
The original Vita left me quite unimpressed and I basically crossed it off my list without the intention of ever going back. After they made the crazy leap across the street (I picture their moving day to look like a game of Frogger), I ended up going back when a friend suggested we meet for breakfast. Everything about the new spot was better: the food, the ambiance, the service, even the location! (kidding) There are a handful of things on the menu that are fantastic time and time again, the chicken fried steak and the buffalo tofu wrap come to mind, and then there are things that are just ok though strangely comforting. That is what Vita is to me: comfort food. Yummy vegan comfort food. I'm a big fan of their Wednesday night happy hour mainly because they have their fishwich for $5 and a habañero infused tequila with lemonade (my creation) for $2. Any place with ample vegan options that has spicy liquor on the well and offers aardvark hot sauce gets a top score from me. I'm just that easy to please.
(4)Sherri M.
Most days the folks at Vita have everything under control. The drinks are well mixed with quality ingredients & potent. The fries are cooked all the way through. You don't have to wait too long for your order and everything arrives at about the same time. Then there are the off days when the only thing you're happy about is that the drinks are well done because the fries are partly raw in the center, you wait 45 minutes for your order and when it comes they've forgotten someone's dish. Oh and the vegan desserts are from the far less tasty Piece of Cake (who use hydrogenated shortening in their goods, or so I was told by a bakery manager at one of the New Seasons shops) Other than that -- The drinks rock, I've only had a couple of soups that were less than stellar, the super-grain salad could only be improved by changing out the guacamole for slices of avocado, when the fries are cooked properly, they are excellent, the corn cakes rock, and their mashed potatos are one of my favorite vegan comfort foods.
(4)Raquel W.
Great atmosphere, great food!! Highly recommend their Thai Coconut Milk Soup. So incredibly yummy!! Yes its vegetarian/vegan, but they also cater to the carnivores, I had (real) bacon on my BLT. Be open minded about food when you go, if you're gonna get snarky about the kind of food they serve, move on, there's plenty of other places to eat on Alberta!
(4)MoDa M.
No, oh no. Coffee was the worst coffee I've had since living in the Pacific Northwest for eleven years. And the food tasted like cardboard - wait, make that bland cardboard. Vegan / vegetarian food does not have to be tasteless like this. Maybe they were having an off day when we visited, but our ick experience was enough to keep us from ever going back again. Luckily, it was a bright sunny day, so the outing made for a good bike ride there and back.
(1)Abby B.
We were the second patrons of the day, but our waitress was already in a foul mood (we think this might have just been her general mood). I ordered their breakfast specialty: corn cakes, and then listened as she told every table after us that they were out of corn cake batter because "someone had already ordered it". I repeat, we were the second patrons of the day! The corn cakes were my first and happened to be tasty, but my companion's thick french toast was not cooked all the way through, so it was the equivalent of two pieces of french toast sandwiching a dry, stale piece of bread. Although neither dish was served with a side, along with our collective breakfast came a swarm of gnats (yes, gnats) that didn't leave until our plates were bussed. The waitress dropped the check on the table without asking if we wanted anything further, and seemed annoyed when we showed interest in dessert (we were using up a certificate & knew we wouldn't return). The Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake was from Sweet Pea Bakery and was so dry that it actually crumbled as the fork hit it. The visit was a hot mess from beginning to end.
(1)Angie V.
I dined at this place twice during my stay in Portland. Both times, the food was excellent! Maybe I am just used to over priced Los Angeles vegan food, but the prices seemed relatively cheap. I was happy about that. My only gripe is the waitress on both occasions was a little bit rude. But, hell! I was on vacation, that was soooo not going to ruin my time at Vita. Do yourself a favor and try the BBQ Things! Yum!
(4)Mandy B.
Yum, yum, yum! I have not been to many vegan places in Portland, so not much to compare to, but I had an excellent experience at Vita. The only "bad" thing about this place is there were too many menu options. I wanted everything and had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted. The only logical thing to do was get a combo plate and try bits and pieces of my friend's order. I got the soup/salad combo. My favorite part was the Super Grain Salad with lemon tahni dressing! Party in your mouth! The combination of sweet/tart currants with the lemon dressing and guacamole dance together harmoniously. The one item in the salad I would recommend doing without was the tempeh bacon crumbles...not a fan. My soup was the Thai Coconut soup, which I was anxious to get, because thai soup is usually not my bag baby. However, going off recommendation from our helpful server I gave it a go- what a wonderful surprise! Even better was the fan-frickin-tastic onion bread to accompany the soup. I also had a bite of my friend's Mexican Corn Cake, not bad, but do not get if you do not like cilantro bc it is full of the flavor. Also, I would recommend getting this as a substitute for bread rather than making it your full meal (and be aware they are big corn cakes).
(4)Haylie B.
For breakfast. Pretty standard except for the coffee and corn cakes (instead of pancakes).....yowsers! Excellent coffee (black), and the corn cakes were super tasty...slightly crunchy but not to much. Eggs are farm fresh which always seem to have a tastier yolk...and the bacon...was bacon...yum! Friend got the Faux Tofurkey Florintine. I didn't taste it, but I didn't hear raving reviews. Honestly, I looked like a usual eggs Benedict. I shall return if the mood so strikes, but not itching to go back.
(3)Andrew O.
Confusingly enough, there is a Caffe Vita (no relation) a block down from this place. After finding the right spot (we're dumb), we enjoyed a solid vegetarian dinner. This spot reminds me quite a bit of Watercourse Foods here in Denver. I had the 'turkey' reuben, which was probably the best I've ever had. They used their homemade veggie meat, which was so much better than the tempeh most places use. Service was friendly and quick. I'd probably eat here pretty often if I lived in Portland.
(4)Stephen H.
BEST vegan buffalo wings I've had. Philly cheeze steak and lemongrass noodle bowl are awesome too. Noodle bowl had a fresh, tasty broth, and was colorful as well. Vita is not the healthiest vegetarian food since it is fried and has heavy use of wheat gluten or soy (something I hope will change with the next generation of vegetarian cuisine), but a great take on classic american fare. It's like vegetarian versions of my favorite college food. Great prices too. They have $5 specials every day. Unbeatable!
(5)Rori L.
For my first time there, I had a delicious time. The wait was modest for a weekend, so we were able to get seated in approx. 20 minutes. After sipping on some tasty coffee at our table, we placed our orders and waited. Though we were patiently sipping for a little longer than I expected, there was plenty going on in the place-so I didn't feel too bummed. Once the food did come-woohoo! My cornmeal pancake with hazelnuts and maple syrup was one of the best I had had to date (beats Cup and Saucer around the corner). The mexican corncakes were amazing as well-I'll be back just for those. We didn't get too crazy for our virgin visit, but I will definitely be back with an appetite.
(4)Kevin E. F.
Like the staff. Like the selection. Unfortunately, it is phony. Phony because they have no integrity regarding the ingredients but can have corn syrup in sauces and condiments. Confronted the owner on this, his reply was "The good news is you don't have to eat it." He said it twice! So I suggest you take his advice. You might want to know that Mr. Woo is also the owner of Natural Selections.
(1)Derek N.
I had heard about the delicious food at Vita Cafe before i moved to Portland so i went in expecting a lot. I definitely was not let down! I've been there several times (old and new location) and have never left unsatisfied. Their vegan selections are some of the best in town and are always filling (but don't leave you feeling stuffed, which is good). The staff is always very nice and accommodating and have never had a bad experience with them. Their giant booths are perfect for a large group of friends you want to share a meal with. The first thing i tried there was the Buffalo tofu wrap. Being a native of Buffalo,NY i'm always weary of Buffalo style things i order outside of Western NY. To my surprise, they did a really good job with the wrap and i couldn't have done better myself. They also have bottles of Frank's hot sauce which is always a plus. Their vegan nachos are my favorite in Portland so far. I could go on and on about all the great dishes they serve, but I'm going to stop rambling right now so you can get up and go try this place for yourself! What are you waiting for?
(5)Jamie E.
Awesome fresh food at a reasonable price. The breakfast burrito was heavenly...
(5)erin g.
I don't think this place needs another review but I can't not Yelp a place that I go to for the first time! Great vegan and vege options. Hand the tofu denver scramble, tofu, onions, peppers and potatoes were awesome. Great flavor, big serving. Top it off with home made bread and I'm in heaven. The BF had the breakfast burrito and said it was "earthy" tasting. I didn't taste it (contained eggs) but he did eat it all... No wait to boot! Will be back.
(4)Bryan W.
The food is above 5 stars, especially the Buffalo Tofu Wrap, but the staff is never personable and seems to always give the shortest answer possible. I understand that it's a busy cafe but even when you sit at the bar you get almost 0 interaction despite being in front of the staff nearly the entire time you're there. Having said that... vegan, vegetarian or not (which I'm not) the food is insanely delicious. We go nearly once a week and we live in Vancouver.
(4)Mike A.
Vita is a great place to eat whether by yourself or with a bunch of friends. Kinda bummed it's not 100% vegan, but it does make it easier to get non-vegan friends to eat out with you. The food is amazing. My personal favorites are the chicken friend steak, Italian pasta, Caesar salad, and the buffalo things! They also have Secret Aardvark hot sauce, which is amazing on anything! The only downside is that the staff can be inattentive quite often, even with an nearly empty restaurant. I don't mind though, but I've heard a lot of people complain about it.
(5)Andrew P.
Best Vegan joint in NE. I come here weekly and have never been dissatisfied. I like going on weekends after waking up late, and just watch people go by on Alberta through the big shutter windows that are usually open. They do a good job with their substitutes considering they have so many, ie almond gravy, cheeses (though it is daiya in some cases), sour cream, lots of that stuff is easy to screw up. I've had nearly everything on the menu, so here are some recommendations: -For breakfast if you get there before 3: Country comfort; chicken fried steak is worth the novelty alone. Mmmm gravy. Stumptown coffee is everywhere but for some reason it tastes especially good here. - Vegan Nachos! Quite good and they don't mess up the vegan part. Their chips are clearly store bought Sanitas or something though. - The Reuben is actually really good (my partner orders it religiously), I recommend it with tempeh. -The fries here are phenomenal chunky things. - The supergrain salad is wonderful if you feel like a healthier side. -I've only ever gotten one "special", I was the first person to ever order one, the waitstaff invented it that morning. It was a burger with hummus, guac and jalapenos in it. The tastes clashed, the hummus (homemade) needed some work, but I admire their creativity. But it was a tiny thing, which is what I disliked most. Their regular mushroom and onion burgers are awesome! -I've had three soups and felt that they have all been on the bland side. -Finally, if you are starving, the Fajitas with "faux-rizo" is a huge dish that comes out on two plates (one for fixin's, the other a steaming hot skillet). Food coma imminent and TOTALLY worth it. Their Bloody Mary is so packed with awesomeness it is a meal in itself. Most folks should be able to find something they like from their rotating list of beers on tap. I'm reading some reviews about the service; I would like to say that I've never felt uncomfortable, ignored or otherwise victim of the "sleep"/"snoot" some folks have mentioned. The waitstaff don't kiss rings but they do greet people warmly and they do their best (it can get super busy here on weekends around brunchtime). They certainly don't stop moving. I leave them regular love letters. Speaking of which, there can be a wait on weekends during brunchy hours. I've found it moves really quick with half the people end up going elsewhere on Alberta, and my partner and I are usually seated within ten minutes.
(5)Katrina B.
Vegan french toast - A+ Fruit Smoothies - A+ Rice and Currants Porridge - B (I discovered I don't like hazelnuts, but it's still really yummy with coconut milk.) Service - A Ambience- A So many delicious looking items on the menu it was really hard to choose. I can't wait to go back and try lunch and dinner.
(5)Jordan P.
Very good and accommodating. I'm new to vegetarianism, but this place has a packed menu that's consistently good. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area and have a meatless proclivity.
(4)Elizabeth M.
My husband brought me take-out from Vita, and it was delicious even when microwaved the next day! Call me sacreligous, but I ordered the Spicy Salmon cakes and I put them on a spinach salad for lunch. They were awesome- subtly spicy, excellent salmon flavor, not too much onion. Pretty much everything you could ask for in a salmon cake. My husband (who ate there with a group) said his seitan cheesesteak was excellent as well, and he's not a seitan eater normally. He loved the service, raved about how nice the waiter was (even commenting that the service "wasn't the typical crappy Portland service") and the group he ate with also raved about their food. I would definitely eat here again.
(4)Nicole L.
Gluten-free options for all the celiac-sprue folk. For this, I thank Vita Cafe. May I recommend the Thai Corn-Cilantro-Banana Pancake heavenly breakfast? Mmmm. Yum.
(4)Jenny C.
The moment I walked into Vita Cafe I knew I'd like it. Maybe even love it. It's the darnedest thing really. Normally if I encounter anywhere that offers predominately a vegetarian and/or vegan fare my "do not want" receptors flash and fade like a canary in a coal mine. But stepping into Vita Cafe, it didn't happen. Was my safety bird already long dead? That'd be kind of ironic given that part of the vegetarian point is to save our little winged friends. But I digress... My friends and I slid into a back booth and poured over the pages of dinner options as the waitress poured out the water. After plenty of time to debate I finally settled on a greek salad. It comes in two sizes, the larger of which was perfect for a main dinner entree. Pitted kalamata olives (a weakness) with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and feta, were drizzled with a fantastic basil vinaigrette. It really was an ideal summer dinner. The cafe has the same vibe as many of the other shops along Alberta. While it's probably one of the nicer restaurants on the strip, it's certainly not pretentious. The staff is friendly and customers seem generally happy to be there. We stopped by early on a Friday night, and were just four of the maybe dozen people there. But even if it was packed, I'd still imagine it would feel as spacious as if we had been the only ones there. The high ceilings and smattering of art and old signs on the walls give the place a clean and simple look that is nice to take in for a while. We were in an out in about an hour, just right for a first stop on a night out. And as we were leaving, we passed by a young family sitting down at a table and I could have sworn that I heard a quietly whistled song... ... maybe my canary is singing a new tune?
(4)suzzette f.
My hubby and I eat here, at least once a week. Best soups in town. Yay!
(5)David T.
Great food, good prices. I cannot have any type milk from a cow. I know I can trust Vita Cafe to serve good, safe and nutritious food.
(5)Michelle H.
Confession: I could almost be vegan, and not feel deprived. ALMOST. I do love meat, and I love dairy even more, but there are times I could go on a binge of vegan eating and be content. At work, for ages, they thought I was at least vegetarian. I have no problem ordering up meatless meals. Apparently that threw up red flags, especially when I'm getting these meals on the company dime. I'm not getting the expensive fish? Really? Don't get me wrong, I love fish--it's probably my favorite. Sometimes I just want to try the butternut squash enchiladas. There is something almost more exotic when you get into some of the complex dishes vegetarians and vegans get behind. Call me crazy. I know I do. So when a vegetarian friend wanted to hit up Vita for her birthday (or did I kind of suggest it? I can't remember), I was ready, willing, and able to see what the cafe had to offer. I was sincerely overwhelmed with delicious choices of diner/cafe foods. Oven roasted vegetable lasagna with portobello mushroom, zucchini, eggplant, spinach, basil and tofu? Yum. Hell, the seitan fajita platter sounded amazing. They have daily specials, which happened to include a veggie patty melt that almost won me over. Ultimately I went with the supergrain salad which was a huge heaping plate of black and white quinoa, tempeh bacon crumbles, red peppers, currants, pumpkin seeds and guacamole with carrot ginger dressing. I supplemented it with a cup of thai coconut soup, thinking that most salads leave me feeling hungry within an hour or two. BOY WAS I WRONG. That salad, while an amazing and beautiful sight, left me stuffed beyond belief. It's also not a good friend to braces. I was picking quinoa and seeds out of my for ages after. It was a definite gum massage, too. It was still worth every bite. Everything was fresh, grainy, and it just felt good going down. That Thai coconut soup was delicious as well. It came with two pieces of herb and onion bread that were to-die-for. I'd go back purely for more bread, I kid you not. It was so good. It was soft and dense and begged me to eat it. I need to go back for more of those entrees, but more importantly I need to go back for breakfast. I imagine it's a little more crowded than dinner was on that early-ish Saturday night. The breakfast menu looks equally superb, and frankly I'm just a breakfast person. They serve it until 4pm, too! That fits great with my 2pm breakfast time I've been adopting lately. Service was quick. They split our check without an issue. It was a pleasant experience. If we weren't so stuffed, the desserts in the case in the front looked beautiful. They're from local bakeries in town, so you know they're going to be amazing. I enjoyed everything from the confines of this vegan haven. Don't worry though, I'm not getting fully swayed to the dark side. They had some salmon cakes on the menu that were calling my name as well. Some things never change.
(4)Em H.
Soo I've been here a couple times. The reuben is good. the veggie burger is good. the truffles are good. The Bloody Mary is one of the best i've had in town. But it is not that great of a vegan cafe. You could make better for less at home. I was looking forward to the buffalo tofu wrap but its just an unseasoned slab of steamed tofu with some franks red hot in a wrap (not worth $7.50). The Fish n Chips were another unseasoned slab of tofu but the tartar sauce definitely helped (not worth $7.50). The breakfast burrito was god awful and way overpriced. I hear some of the pasta meals are good, maybe one of these days i'll go back and gamble 10-12 bucks away on one of those or maybe i'll just make some good home-made pasta for 3 bucks.
(2)Laura J D.
vegan comfort food is a tough one sometimes. I understand that vegetables are delicious, but so is salt and fat. That's what I ate today: a giant plate of salt and fat and bread. It was good. It wasn't GREAT. I'm a mediocre cook, and I feel like I could have created about the same quality of meal at home. But, it's nice to have someone do the shopping for you, prepare the meal for you, serve it to you, and clean up after you. Worth every penny. Our server was a super-sweet and attentive lady. Even though we were immobilized with gluttony after french toast, biscuits and gravy and a faux-meat french toast towering sandwich, she persuaded us into trying the vegan/raw peanut butter chocolate chip cheesecake. So glad she did. We'll be back again!
(4)christy c.
OH MY GOSH there are SO many amazing vegan restaurants in Portland! SO JEALOUS! Go here! We had nachos (yum!), chili (YUM!) and I had a 'fish and tarter sauce sandwich' (DOUBLE YUM!) Food here awesome. Service really cool. And a cool bicycle atmosphere. go here and pig out. easy to do...
(5)Darin S.
This place is fantastic. I'm a full on carnivore, and I'd eat here every day. I realize they serve meat. But their vegetarian and or vegan food is fantastic. Everything is great here!
(5)Del R.
The VIta Cafe and I have had a long, torrid love affair since I first moved to Portland back in '02. They were also my first exposure to vegan fare. I once even posted a I Saw U for one of the wait staff for whom I had a major crush on, but never owned up to it. Now they have long since moved across the street into much better digs, although the lighting is a bit hard on the eyes at times. Their food remains oh so good. My favorites include the New York Breakfast with tofu, steamed veggies and the Thai corn cake; vegan chicken fried steak, tofu fish and chips. There portions are great and their prices are reasonable.
(4)Meredith P.
My favorite time to come here is for dinner. I don't come on the weekends for breakfast because there are too many damn hungry, hungover hipsters, and I don't like to wait 1.5 hours for a table. With that said, come on a weekday night for dinner, and you'll be very pleased. Service: some of the waiters have come off like asses, but some are really nice, so it is probably affected by the mood of the staff on any given day. Food: absolutely best diner Vegan food in Portland. Not too expensive. Ambiance: very nice, I like.
(4)Zachary L.
I was rather impressed with this place. It was frequently busy, so I figured they must be doing something right and their food definitely conveyed that thought. Out of my whole vegan tour of Portland, this was home of what I believed to be one of the best vegan tempeh sandwiches I've ever had. They even have vegan ranch dressing, which got me pretty excited. The appetizers were also top tier. When I tried their vegan buffalo things I flipped out! There was this one waitress who really impressed me. I said I had a question about one of the local beers and if it contained honey, she said "oh no, it's vegan!" It's knowledge like that which makes customers, especially vegan customers, want to keep coming back.
(5)Mayte D.
Love this spot! Yum. Been here a few times in the past 5 years or so...can't wait to go back : )
(5)Marsha Z.
I'm sorry I wasn't able to come back, as there were so many things on the menu I wanted to try. But when you're trying to do the whirlwind veg tour of PDX, it's hard to go back to the same spot twice. Since I doubt I was going to get another shot at this place soon, I went for the favorite: chicken fried steak (deep fried tempeh, with mashed potatoes and almond gravy). While very tasty, dare I say, it was too much "meat" and potatoes for my liking. They shouldn't charge extra for sides; there certainly was enough room on the plate for some greens (or mac and cheese). It really would've balanced out the dish more. All in all, they seemed to be a standard veggie cafe of largely American fare that serves b-fast, lunch, and dinner. Staff were laid back and friendly, prices, reasonable.
(4)Kitt J.
I used to come here a lot with a boy who very recently (read: today) shattered my heart into a thousand pieces. So you can be sure I mean it when I give the place four stars. The peppered bacon and biscuits here could almost mend my broken ticker. Almost. That's some pretty serious breakfast.
(4)Jennifer H.
I was referred to this restaurant by some of my friends in Arizona who had dined here. There was a nice crowd for dinner, but we were able to be seated right away. I love that I had so many vegan options. I ordered a salad and sandwich. My husband had the mac and cheese. Our tummies were full and happy when we left.
(4)Ash. A.
So, I finally made it to Vita Cafe! It seemed sort of inevitable since I work nearby and I am a pescatarian. Well, firstly let me just say...the drinks here are fantastic. I got the Blue Jay which consisted of a vodka soda with some blueberry puree and orange. I actually felt healthy drinking it since I was putting the toxins in but countering them with the antioxidants from the blueberries.....right? Secondly, the food was very good. The menu ranges from simple sandwhiches and soups ...... to stir-fries and creative Italian dishes. On this particular evening I opted for the Lemongrass Noodle Bowl, which is a glorified Pho dish. It was pretty good after a heavy dowsing of hot sauce and had a great selection of veggies swimming in the lemony broth. My friend got the Flamin' Tempeh dish. It looked great, but I was too busy eating and drinking my own things to ask for a bite. I will definitely return at a later date for the cheap $5 menu (served all night) and a piece of the wonderfully, delicious looking cakes.
(4)Kathy P.
I've heard great things about this place, so when some friends needed a spot near Alberta to eat and catch up on our lives, we went to Vita Cafe. Wait staff were kind and helpful without being overbearing. I had the Fajitas Platter which could satisfy even a meat eater...it was fresh, tasty and Vegan! It came out on a skillet sizzling and smelling yummy. I also had the greens salad which was fine. And I enjoyed the IPA beer on tap as well. They serve items that meat eaters can enjoy which is nice...so we all get what we enjoy. Popular, busy, tasty and a fun place to eat.
(5)Mishel F.
Yum! amazingly delicious breakfast. I highly recommend the rice porridge and housemade seitan sausages - they are absolutely delicious. The "huevos" rancheros were also great, with a housemade, spicy ranchero sauce over tofu and mixed veggies - delicious. Service was slow and inattentive, but they were packed. I'd definitely be back for more.
(4)jeni s.
came here for the first time and made the difficult decision to order the buffalo tofu wrap. my companions ordered some of the other things i wanted so i tried a bit of the reuben and the super grains salad too. everything was super yummy, but the fries were surprisingly good. they tasted like homemade french fries, but crispier (though still thick and potatoey on the inside). within 2 days i was craving to go back and get the buffalo tofu wrap again. i'm so excited about this place. good job folks.
(4)Anthony D.
I've visited this place a number of times over the past 6 years or so. I appreciate the number of vegan options - the food has generally been great. The staff, not so much. I've found them often to be inattentive, and this past week when I was in one was wearing a cutoff skirt so short that her ass cheeks were hanging out above her torn fishnets. In a proper context I'm all for scantily-clad women, but at lunchtime in a restaurant that purports to be family-friendly?
(3)Lena W.
I am neither vegan nor vegetarian, but I am a fan of both the vegan and vegetarian food that Vita Cafe has to offer. For those who can't bear to eat without meat, they have food with meat and cheese in it as well, so there really is no excuse to not try this place out. Their Mac and "Cheese" is really addicting, and their vegan burger (I added cheddar cheese to mine) had one of the best vegan patties I'd ever tasted. Yum! This place has such a hip-yet-down-to-earth vibe that it's impossible to feel stressed while dining, and just to complete the Portland signature, the coffee they serve is Stumptown...complete with your choice of real cream or soy milk.
(4)Kerri H.
Vita is a great place to go on Alberta. They have a new location, and I'm sorry to see that outdoor area go!! :( The new location had front windows wide open, we'll see how that goes when hot, hot weather gets here. Things I love about Vita: great menu for vegans and carnivore's alike. And the way they tease you with the dessert case as you walk in the door. Those desserts are scrump-deeeliecious!!!! Things I can do without: fruit flies in my (otherwise fresh) drinks, and the smell of dirty dishwater after they clean a table. Service is always great, and it is well worth any wait on those busy days.
(4)D. B.
Love this place! Home-style, comfort food, vegan heaven. Order half the menu and share. Delicious!
(5)M M.
Good vegan comfort food! The service is good. I appreciate the restaurant because I can bring my friends that aren't vegan or vegetarian there to dine without complaint.
(4)Jana S.
Probably the best Vegan food I've had..granted that has not been much. They have everything from yummy food, great drinks and deserts. My favorite, by far, is the buffalo wrap. Vegan ranch??? Come on people! That's awesome. I will say that the prices are a bit steep, and I would like to have a side of fries with my burger or wrap. Stay away from the peanut sauce - probably the heaviest ever. Seriously, you might as well take peanut butter and put in on your food. Boo hiss! Overall a good place. Some items on the menu will blow you out of the water, and others blow out of the...you know..other end.
(3)Brett M.
Vita is the place to go when a) everything sounds good, b) nothing sounds good, or c) you have a large, hungry, picky group. They have a bar, huge booths and intimate tables. It really works for any group and any occasion. The vita menu is deceptively small looking, but packed with choices. Burgers, sandwiches, Italian entrees, Mexican entrees, Southern comfort food - its all here and its all *delicious*. The Pesto Lasagna, Chicken Fried Steak, & Seitan IPA Stew are favorites, but none match the epic Turkey Club. A double decker masterpiece of hot tofurkey, savory tempeh bacon and guacamole on yummy toasted bread. Add a side of vegan ranch and that'd be my death row dinner choice. The appetizers are equally noteworthy and often eaten as meals themselves. The buffalo "wings" (crispy tofu strips - also available with BBQ) are delicious. The vegan nachos are enormous. They have a great selection of beers on tap (HUB!) and awesome happy hour specials on Wednesday. The mac and cheese is hit or miss, but you really can't go wrong with the rest of the menu. Staff is friendly and fast even when the place is packed with noisy, demanding groups (of which I've often been a part). Just a great place to dine on all accounts.
(5)Michael L.
The last time I went to Vita Cafe, the service was less than stellar. New location, new attitude. The staff were friendly and professional. And prompt. Which is very nice. I could tell that something was new. But on to why we actually came here - food. My wife and I started a gluten-free/dairy-free diet a few weeks ago, for health reasons. Combine that with the Hawthorne Aveda salon for a Mother's Day massage and we have a near-required Vita-Cafe visit. The food has always been good; tonight, it was superb. My wife had the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes. I tried some and it was delicious. I had a chili burger (sans bun) and a small Greek salad. Oh.My. Just incredible all the way around. The salad had usual salad fare - lettuce, tomatoes, cukes - but also olives, red onion, olives, red peppers, olives, and a green pesto-like dressing. And did I mention olives? My daughter had the kid's mac and cheese with broccoli and, while *she* didn't like it, I tried it and it was pretty darn good. She might not have liked the texture, which was a little on the gritty side, but it was good. But hey, she's 4 :)
(4)Kenny H.
The Veggie Reuben Sandwich is THE BOMB. No one makes a better one! Hopworks Beer Washes it down perfectly. The Spicy French Fries are Kick Ass to! One thing I had that was "Meh": The Seitan BLT sandwich was uneventful. Fakin Bacon is where it's at. Just make that at home. People here are way nice as well. Update: Went yesterday night to the recent location. Food was subpar, the server was really rude, the fries were all burnt yet greasy... they ONLY have happy hour on Wed night (WTF?) $4 was pricey for a less than ideal poor of local beer. wha happen?????? I would make this review a 2, but I do not want to lose faith too fast.
(4)Evil Vegan ..
Please open a Vita Cafe in North Park, San Diego
(4)Patrick T.
Disappointed this lunch visit, but will definitely be back to try the other tasty-looking items on the menu...my experience this visit: I ordered the mac n cheese with chili. I assumed the chili would be on the side not mixed in throughout the bowl...I prefer to manually mix myself so I can compare the individual flavors of the chili and macncheese. With the chili and mac premixed this lunch was relatively uninspiring and the flavor of the mac-cheese-chili mixture just ordinary. I also wasn't hungry hungry and specifically asked how big the bowl of mac was. The response I received left the impression the bowl wouldn't be too big. The portion size was huge and could easily satiate two people. In conclusion, the portion size is great, the pasta cooked perfectly, but because it was premixed it didn't work out as good as I was looking forward to and as good as the other patrons' meals looked and smelled. I'll be back but will ask more specific questions next time.
(2)Phillip V.
I thought this place was really good. I got some sort of vegan bean soup that was rich, flavorful, and filling. I got some kinda vegan BLT that was great, but my companion's quinoa salad took the cake. I ignored the pretentious party seated next to me, sizing up my order and discussing philosophy. Maybe I was just used to cheap bar food, but I felt like I had to be careful with my spending here.
(4)Ann K.
Date Visited: Sunday 7/20/08 (Lunch) Nine of us decided to have a nice leisurely lunch at Vita Cafe. We were lucky enough to get outdoor seating, though the table was a little too small for all of us and the umbrellas only managed to shade some of us. As organizer of my group, I sacrificed myself to the sun and took a sunny spot. I survived. The food may not be worth the cancer I could get as a result of that sun exposure, but it was pretty darn good. I have never had a regular BLT sandwich in my life, so it seemed weird to have a vegetarian one. I really enjoyed it and if my work computer didn't crash everytime I tried to access the Vita Cafe website, I would tell you more about it. Let's just say that I really enjoyed it and my guests all really enjoyed what they ordered as well, so I have a feeling that you will probably enjoy the food there as well. I plan on going back many, many times and update this pathetically short review. Date Visited: Saturday 9/6/08 (Dinner) It's one of the rare times that I'm kinda glad my original plans fell through. I had to change my rating for this place thanks to this night. I had a 'Chicken' Fried Steak meal that came with mashed potatoes and it was all smothered in an almond gravy. OH MY GOD. It's been over a week since I had it and I'm still craving the darn thing! I want it day after day! I've been having some stomach issues and I distinctly remembered that I was not only terribly energized after eating this meal, but my stomach felt fine! I hope it stays a 5-Star place for me and that it's around for years and years to come.
(5)January M.
Excellent Bloody Mary. Damn. Even just thinking about it. So so so good. I'd go back for another, but unfortunately I did not dig my meal at all. I ordered the tofurkey Florentine (bacon subbed) so, it was actually eggs benedict. The most perfectly poached eggs, super tasty bacon and fresh spinach were unable to make up for soggy English muffins and chalky coagulated vegan hollandaise sauce. Our plates had obviously been sitting for a while before they were brought to us. Inattentive service became the theme of our meal which took nearly 3 hours to complete. I know what you're thinking, "Portland+Breakfast=Wait" Waiting 45 minutes to an hour for a table to become available is something we've all come to expect. But in my experience, once you sit down, you're taken care of. The place was not full, but our server was no where to be found. I got kind of fed up after a dog (that was allowed in the patio) took a shit right next to our table. It's really unlikely that I'll go back.
(2)Lizzie V.
Note: I haven't visited their new location, but will very shortly. I went through this faze of being intolerant to just about every food item that had taste and during this time of darkness Vita was a God send. I almost cried the first time I went there. The most amazing vegan nachos ever. I love their Thai corn cakes. I love the H.O.G. H.O.G. 3 / 5 homemade Herb and Onion bread topped with almond Gravy I love the price, I love the portions. I love that you can order half sizes. I love Vita cafe.
(5)Aleksandra E.
Love Vita Cafe! I'm no connoisseur to vegan dining, but this food is delicious. The fried risotto balls are amazing- ricey on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and the "chicken" fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy... I'm still coming down from that one. Go. Eat well. Be happy.
(5)Kat L.
Oh, to be vegan in Portland... A veritable smorgasboard of options. I just spent a week here, and this was one of my favorite (of MANY) places that I ate. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here on various days, so I got the well-rounded experience. I liked the diversity of choices on the menu, and particularly appreciated the abundance of gravy-slathered home-style options. No surprise... I really liked the chicken-fried tempeh w/ potatoes and gravy. My bf had the mac n' cheese, which was pretty good, but not the greatest. The BLT sandwich was straight-forward but good. They had vegan ranch dressing for the salad, which was pretty sweet. As for my breakfast...Coming from a place where I have to drive far to score vegan breakfast, I was initially stoked on everything in PDX, but I started to get spoiled by the end of my stay. Vita was good, but definitely not the best. My bf got the french toast, which was pretty damn good. I had the country-style breakfast (wooo more gravy!!)... The "scramble" was just seasoned cubed tofu, which was good, but not very scrambley in the traditional sense. The gravy of course was delicious, but the plate came with two biscuits...Must've been from different batches, because one was good while the other was hard and dense as a rock. Oh well. I still give this place 4 stars because I'm easy to please, and overall my friends and I left feeling satisfied every time we ate here. Unfortunately, I was always too full for dessert, which did look quite delicious.
(4)Brandon R.
I love the Vita Cafe. I've been eating here for about 6 years, and while I've had plenty of less than stellar experiences with the service and food quality, it remains the most consistently dependable vegan restaurant I know of. The staff changes from time to time, and some of them have been a bit less than awesome. But overall, it;s got a great neighborhood feel, and there's something very Portland about the mix of hippie/punk/anarchist/fashion chic people that work here. The menu is so diverse and offers so many vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free and organic food options, it's hard to imagine someone not being able to find something they like here. I've brought many an omnivore to The Vita, and they've all found something they really liked about it. The bicycle themed bar and liquor rack is a definite plus, and the road sign wall hangings and revolving art add a nice cultured flair to the experience. I recommend avoiding the entire Alberta St scene on Saturday and Sundays, especially from 10 to 2, but if you must go, you might be surprised to find the wait at The Vita A LOT shorter than any other hip breakfast joint. The desserts are hit or miss, as Piece of Cake is a large outfit that no longer specializes in Vegan dessert. However, their coconut cupcakes are heavenly, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter will be rich and moist and you might have to share. Bring your friends for dinner and drinks, try any of the daily specials, definitely have the Thai coconut soup and the Buffalo Tempeh wrap!
(5)Joshua D.
Some of the best Vegan food around! I eat meat and love this place!
(5)Mark L.
I went to the Vita Cafe on the recommendation of my roommate, who happens to be vegan. I went with two friends who, like myself, happen to be bloodthirsty carnivores. But it worked out in the end--Vita Cafe does have meat on the menu, although it's known for its vegan offerings. It is a hippie haven---beards and long hair and important conversations--but comfortable. I like hippies ... unless they smell weird. I went with the Vita Scramble ($8), eggs loaded with veggies like spinach, onions cauliflower--there were actually more vegetables than eggs. The herb and onion toast was delicious. The side of potatoes was good, too ... very buttery. The wait was long, typical for Sunday breakfast spots in Portland, but we made friends with a group who had just purchased a statue of Gene Simmons' head and bust at a yard sale for $60. It was beautiful. And when they were seated, Gene came along, too, and sat right on the table. We thought about buying him a beer, but Vita Cafe doesn't offer PBR. Sorry, Gene. My only quibble, and it's a very minor one, is that the gent who ended up serving us was a little sassy with us while we waited for our table. Once he realized he'd be serving us, he was very delightful. But he was very nice to Gene, and brought a glass of water for him to lap up. The prices are very reasonable, and I hear the Corn Cakes ($4.50 for one; $7 for two) are quite a treat. The Bloody Marys and Mimosas also looked good. I like the fact that Vita also serves meat, and doesn't make you feel like a pig if you do order it. Meat is murder, but bacon is best ... just ask any vegan/vegetarian about their taboo dreams of wanting to secretly devour a salty pork product.
(3)Abdul I.
The corn cakes are fabulous! My personal fav: Thai Corn. And gotta love the bloody mary!
(4)Lynne M.
I've been to the Vita Café before and enjoyed it, so I hope my latest visit was an aberration and not a trend. Three of the four people in our party have special diet needs, so the Vita seemed like a good choice for a healthy, tasty meal. The waitress mentioned several times that it was her first night on the job, not necessary as this unfortunate fact became obvious as the evening progressed. She brought three of the five items we ordered, then seemed to forget that two in our party had not been served. When we alerted her to the oversight she went to find the missing meals (both specials), then returned to say that there was only one left so we would need to order something else. Shortly after she took the new order one person in our party, who is gluten intolerant, noticed that the rice noodles he'd ordered didn't seem right. We called the waitress over to see if she could check what kind of noodles he'd been served and, sure enough, they were not rice but soba noodles instead. She asked if she could bring him something else and he asked that she just take the plate away as he would not be eating anything else. She apologized and said she would comp all our meals. In the meantime, the special arrived but no new order. The two of us who'd been served meals we could actually eat finished before the replacement order ever arrived. Who knows what happened to it as by this time the waitress was ignoring us. While we appreciate the apology and the comped meals, the fact that only two of the four in our party were served food we could safely eat, and the fact that the fourth person in our party was never served any food at all had us questioning whether we would make a return visit. Maybe, since we've had good experiences there before, but not any time soon.
(1)Petra L.
I want so badly to love this place. Really, I do. It's exactly two blocks from my house and has an outdoor patio that is shaded in such a way as to not force me to look at the street. Their spicy house tea blend is also incredibly good, as is their Buffalo Tofu Wrap. BUT (there is a but), their brunch makes me physically angry. I love brunch. I do. It's a fabulous time of day and is my meal of the week where I eat whatever the fuck I want and chase it with as much coffee as my heart rate can handle. I've been there many times and I never get less disappointed. Why do I still go? (Mostly because I refuse to wait in line at the Tin Shed.) Although the vegetable combinations that they put in their scrambles are tasty (and I am strangely fond of their homemade seitan), the scrambles are not creatively spiced and they USE CUBED TOFU. I'm pretty sure the "scramble" should be a hint to CRUMBLE THE F'N TOFU. To be fair, it's mostly a personal pet peeve. Also, their reubens. I'm a connoisseur of them and I was wholly disappointed in the one I had here. Dry, uninspired, bland. Eventually, when I'm less lazy, I'll stop going here.
(3)Skylor P.
Ate an awesome breakfast this morning that was so well balanced! Veggies, a corn cake, eggs? yes please. Our server was attentive and the food was delicious. As a health coach I was fully satisfied :)
(5)Briea D.
This place has impressive vegetarian and vegan cuisine that has real flavor. The Thai corn cakes are to die for. The supergrain salad was good, as was the mac and cheese. Good portion sizes. The service was decent, though not stellar by any means. Casual atmosphere perfect for a lazy brunch. Overall, it was worth it.
(4)Victoria J.
Wow! The "chicken fried steak"? I have never seen a vege-version of chicken fried steak and as it was a specialty of my southern mom's growing up, I HAD to get it.....SO MUCH FOOD!! And Miraculously served with not a speck of grease left from it's deep fried goodness...how do they do that?! I couldn't even finish it and certainly did not have room for any of the amazing cakes we were sitting next too. The plywood booth seating is lame though. With comfort food like that you need something you can really slouch into once the belt notches start loosening
(4)Z Z.
Vita Cafe is quite good. The menu has a wide range of vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan dishes. I went there with a group of people and we all liked our food. It is small inside but the booths were quite comfy, there was more than enough room for all of us. Vita is cool inside, funky decorations and artwork. It wasn't too crowded in there although the patio was quite crowded, overall it was just a fun night. I was quite pleased to see that you could order half portions of the soups and salads. I ordered the Mediterranean Platter appetizer which had this thick flavorful hummus serviced with olives, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and toasted pita. It was quite good, I especially enjoyed the hummus, it was delicious. I also ordered a half portion of the Greek salad w/the basil vinaigrette on the side. The salad was quite good, the veggies were fresh and quite crisp. Everything was delicious. Everyone that I was with really enjoyed their food, from what I noticed everyone was a member of the clean plate club that is for sure! We were drooling because the waitress kept walking back and forth to the dessert case in the front with this amazing looking cakes. I was a good girl and didn't get anything for dessert but WOW did they look great. Our waitress was a bit of a space cadet but she did warn us right up front that she was out of it. She was nice enough but was spacey. It is pretty mellow in there so don't be surprised if everything takes a short while to come out and to get your check. Fun place though and great food.
(4)Clarke W.
Stopped in for breakfast. Had the Faux Tofurkey Florentine & The 2+2+2 with vegan sausage. Its always an interesting experience when trying vegan interpretations of classic breakfast food, let alone hollandaise sauce and sausage, but Vita does it well! The Tofurkey Florentine was creamy and smooth & the vegan sausage in the 2+2+2 was smoky and sweet. They serve vegetarian and vegan fare as well as free range, all natural, hormone free meats and eggs. All local and organic, which seems to be the 'Portland' standard.
(4)Benjamin B.
Got the vegan chicken fried steak and was greatly impressed. I'm a huge fan of chicken fried steak and they definitely did it right.
(4)Alex K.
Vita Cafe is great place for lunch, or to enjoy a beer and have a solid dinner. They specialize in vegan plates, but also offer some carnivorous delights. Its sort of down home food with a vegan/Portland twist. I live right by it and should frequent more often. The food is good but I'm not enticed by it. Probably because the menu is sort of odd and nothing jumps out and says "Order me. You want to eat me."
(4)Steal R.
This restaurant is phenomenal! There is such a depth to the menu and so many of the items are just amazing. My fiance and I were heading to a wedding in Hood River, Oregon and wanted to stop at a Vegan friendly restaurant on our drive from the the airport. This was the perfect place. The atmosphere was comfortable and relaxed and sitting outside was very peaceful. We ordered the Mexican Corncake- awesome, Fries- to die for, and the Vegan Cheesesteak. My fiance ordered the cheesesteak and I ended up stealing half of it. It was made with Satan and it was cooked perfectly and with the perfect spices. We were too full for dessert but vowed to return on our drive back to the airport. And return, we did. This time, we split another sandwich and got the cheesesteak to go. We also ordered the Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake. This was unbelievable. I will travel back to Portland, just to visit this restaurant. I want to move them to San Jose!
(5)Mark K.
What a great place. I had the "fish" sandwich, which was tofu fried like a fish sandwich and it was GREAT! The atmosphere is nice, the service great, and I just generally appreciate having a vegan restaurant in this part of town. Terrific food!
(5)Mama L.
Vita seems to be falling apart. They used to have great staff and consistent food, but the past few times I've been there, we haven't had such great food and tonight the service was just bizarre. Our favorite, Vita Chop Salad, was old and gross with giant hunks of raw broccoli (raw should be chopped small, that's why they call it chop salad silly) and wilted lettuce rotting in the worn-out ranch dressing. Needless to say, we aren't getting that again. The portions on the most expensive vegan thing on the menu, the Seitan Fajitas, have been dwindling and they insist on charging extra for a couple of extra tortillas when it only comes with 3. Whatever, I guess it's not a Mexican restaurant. The food tonight was passable except for the Thai pasta with Yuckisobad noodles. The fajitas were delicious as usual. But our waitress was BIZARRE. I've been dieting and was totally psyched to cheat by having a pint of beer, but I really wanted it to be the right one. I LOVE Vita's rotating menu of artisenal beers and how the waitresses always offer a small sample if you are having a hard time deciding. "Red or IPA" I asked myself...HMMMM. My hubby ordered an IPA so I asked to sample the Red. I would be really disappointed if it were sweet. The waitress actually suggested that I sample my friend's beer instead. It wasn't even on the table yet, but she figured she'd just go ahead and invite me to drink out of his glass. I told her he was a hitchhiker I'd just picked up and I would sample my hubby's IPA, the Red and then decide. But you know what, she killed my taste for beer altogether. We were eating with our kid and a friend's kid and we ordered a dish for each of them. They are 4 and 5 respectively and can handily tuck away a plate of rice and tofu. She forgot we had two kids, only brought one order of food, and after apologizing, tried to make it seem like there was something wrong with the kids for not wanting to share. Please leave the parenting to the people with kids and just go ask for more food from the kitchen! At one point I realized I had forgotten to order something for the kids so I walked up to the counter and said so. She just looked at me. So I asked again "Is it okay to still order something, now?" I think 5 whole minutes had passed since our order was placed. I am so sad for Vita!
(2)Sara S.
The vegetarian rueben really does live up to the hype. It's awesome. Thick slabs of tempeh smothered in vegan 1000 island dressing and saurcraut. Whether vegetarian or the traditional kind, a rueben isn't the type of sandwich I would order. However, I was told Vita was "known" for it, so I got it and so happy I did. The sandwich was filling, but I didn't feel gross afterwards. I felt like I ate healthy, nutritious food, which energized me and kept me going for the rest of the day. Got a side of fries, only ate two of them. They were very bland. I guess I should have ordered the spicy fries, but I didn't see them on the menu! I like the atmosphere and the waitstaff and patrons are great. I would love to come back and try their breakfast (tofu scramble, yes!), and props for the full bar! I'm sure this place gets to be an awesome time at night, and I will surely be back to experience it.
(4)Spratt M.
Five stars for excellent tofu rancheros with yummy veggies and tasty sauces--tastiness often being the first thing to go whenever veganness is introduced. 3 out of 3 people who had the corn cake loved the corn cake, also. Now, I thought a corn cake was going to be like a crab cake, so I didn't go near it, but it turned out to be a pancake-style deal that comes in 3 different styles, NW being the best (although isn't Vita in the NE? Hmmmm....). Right down the street 'n' around the corner from one of my favorite magazine publishers/feminist enclaves ever, perhaps promoted to favorite magazine publisher ever now that Punk Planet is gone. RIP PP.
(5)McKenzie G.
Some nights, in Denver, I dream of you. I dream of a place like you with your faux fish sandwich and your homemade mock turkey. Your breakfast bloody marys and your biscuits and mushroom gravy. God, I love you. I can't wait to move back to Oregon to spend time in your sweet wooden booths. I never visit Portland without seeing you.
(5)joseph f.
First off I should say that it is great having vegan friendly restaurants around, being one myself -- sadly, the food at Vita is so sub-par to awful that it feeds into the stupid stereotype that "vegan food" is terrible. The veggie burger with fakin' tempeh on it was downright terrible and tasted like cardboard. The bun was McDonald's style bland. I don't know how you mess up fries, but ours were pretty unedible -- overcooked and greasy. My wife got the Tempeh Reuben, dry and bland with grocery-style Marble bread. The diner-style Coffe was way overpriced at $1.75. The only soy milk offered was the yucky, flavored kind. On our previous visit we had the mediocre, forgettable seitan-cheesesteak and mac-n-cheese. Not as bad as the food we ordered today, but, again, very underwhelming to say the least.
(1)Bob M.
Okay so this place has the potential to be a five star vegan spot where you can bring meat eaters. However, the food is slightly inconsistent. The buffalo tofu hot wings if cooked right is amazing. Second time I went they were pretty under cooked and mushy. The vegan philly (seitan) is pretty good. The salmon cakes are decent (only get if you like ginger). The supergrain salad is i nice healthy meal. The best thing I've had is the vegan chicken fried steak-- the almond gravy is delicious. The fries if cooked fully are great skin on fries, but one time I went they were soggy. Wait staff is pretty friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this spot to non meat eaters.
(4)Erica W.
Yum! The vegan nachos were delicious - really tasty and with fresh guac and yummy salsa. We each got the soup and the Super Grain salad and we loved it. This is vegan food that is tasty and healthy. The menu is not fully vegan and it seemed like lots of folks were enjoying yummy breakfasts. Nice strong coffee. The service was slow but that was because the place was packed and there were only two servers - and one seemed to be doing the entire front half of the restaurant. She was friendly and apologetic and we really didn't mind. The vibe was laid back and there was a mix of people there from an older professional couple to tattooed-20-somethings. No pretense and great food. -1 star for the slow service and bean soup that was a bit too thick, I think my spoon could have stood up in it once it began to cool down.
(4)Julie V.
We rolled in for breakfast on a Saturday morning around 10:30am. We sat immediately, were attended to instantly, and then mulled over the menu for ages. So much to choose from, so little stomach room. It was nice to have more than two vegan options on a veg menu. Between my husband and I we ordered the chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burrito, and a Mexican corn cake. Everything was served hot, looked beautiful, and was flavorful and rich. I appreciated the atmosphere, I can definitely see taking my two kids here. My husband lives in Portland and has eaten here more than I have and has yet to be disappointed. We were going to go back for another meal but remembered they were closing to change locations (moving across the street). I look forward to eating at the new location once I move up to Portland. Inexpensive, delicious food in a family-friendly environment is something I would go out of my way for.
(5)Daisy C.
I have been there a couple of times now and they fail to impress. Nice ambiance, but seriously mediocre to bleh food and in true Portland tradition- crappy service. I wouldn't avoid the place, but I am not going to go out of my way to eat there either.
(3)Kiera H.
I have to lower my review. We went with the vegan Mac and Cheese for the first time tonight and it was not good at all. I am very surprised. $7 for what could have been made with noodles and one of those packets of vegan cheese sauce. We could have made better at home using the cheesy sauce recipe from "How it all vegan." Very disappointing. However, we agreed that if they would have called it "vegan tuna casserole," we would have understood more.
(3)Jen S.
I'm mostly vegetarian with an occasional tendency toward fish, but I was craving something vegan (or at least partially vegan) today so I headed over to Vita Cafe for the first time. I really, really, REALLY wanted to like this place. Just the thought of vegan gravy made me so happy - I haven't had biscuits and gravy in forever. So I ordered the Country Comfort breakfast for lunch, and alas... Pros: nice staff, pleasant atmosphere, lots of options at lunchtime, two scrambled eggs really was two eggs instead of the massive heap of eggs you get at other diners when you order two eggs Cons: tempeh bacon (too tempeh-y, I prefer Morningstar over their version), almond gravy (too salty and grainy), biscuits (too dense) Could just be my taste though. I'll go back, for sure - they donate 1% of sales to local environmental and social non profits, for one thing, and I'm intrigued by the Mexican corn cakes and many of their dinner dishes. So I look forward to upping the rating soon...
(3)Marc H.
Seriously good. After moving back from the east coast, it doesn't take much veg food on a menu to get my attention but this was great. Not only could I eat almost anything on the menu, I bet it is fantastic. I am going back to try it all. This time around I had the seitan fajitas. Never thought to cut really thin slices of seitan for fajitas but I will be trying it at home for sure. Doubt I will match Vita's goodness. The vibe is low-key. It was ~7pm on a Saturday and not busy at all. No wait and a few empty tables. Looks like everybody else was missing out. Not as cheap as it gets but pretty inexpensive. Entrees between ~$7 and $12. Fajitas were like $10 or so.
(5)Alicia P.
Close friend decided to become vegan and my first thought, "oh F, there goes going out to eat together." Room mate (who is the unofficial mayor of Alberta) suggests Vita. service was good, place was casual, windows were open wide. Menu is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, but I was still able to have an egg with lunch! The potato cake was amazing, I think it was southwestern style and the sauce was zesty. I also had a smoothie that came in a canning jar. Friend was able to eat her vegan meal (I was too busy eating my meal to notice what she ordered-but she likes it!) and we both suggested we stick with Vita again. I also plan on taking my recently health conscious parents here next month for breakfast.
(4)H M.
Wow, what a joke this place is. We came here for Mothers Day. You know my son & man wanted to take me out for something yummy. For some reason they choose this sh*thole. Ive heard bad stories about this place but I wanted to try somewhere new so I still came here with a clear mind. Not very busy. Open clear tables. Few people waiting so we write our name and sit down. 30 minutes goes by. Everybody else is seated. We aren't. Mind you we were the only people there with a child who is chilling in his stroller. Still open tables...still waiting. Waitress' walks by over 10 times, hostess keeps glancing at list, NO acknowledgement. Still waiting. Finally a guy that was behind the counter comes out checks the list, looks at us, looks at the empty table, walks over to empty table AND KEEPS WALKING. So I ask my man "we've been sitting here for 30 minutes...that tables been empty...should we say something?" So he walks over to the guy who is back behind the counter. Nicely asks if there are any open tables. And whoa were we not expecting his head up the a** attitude! Then it dawned on me...this is one of those Non-Breeder Righteous Vegan dives. So We Left. In no way will I ever support a place that employs trust fund bred hipsters who were never taught to respect others. The amount of employees they had running this place is ridiculous to not have any of them be able to personally interact with the customers even if they don't fit in their "look".
(1)Michelle B.
Oh I love Vita... I LOVE the Tempis Rueben! I can't get enough... My boyfriend loves the chili and fries. I also really like the spicy tea. yum... One of my 3 favorite places to eat in Portland...
(5)Ryan E.
it never ceases to amaze me; you call something vegan and people think its amazing. i made the mistake of going all out and ordering the chycken fried steak and the fysh and chips the first time i went. DISGUSTING and i like it deep fried. bland unseasoned tofu fried in batter with soggy bottom of the batch fries. the corn cakes are the only thing ive ever liked but seriously how much oil do you have to put in a batch of those things? its like a vegan voodoo donut: minus all animal ingredients, substitute hydrogenated oil. the dish i liked most was a peice of cake and it wasn't made in house - sweetpea maybe? the wednesday happy hour thing they had was about the only tolerable time ive had in this place. i guess you have to get drunk to ignore the food. service wasn't horrible, but the food is about a half step above food not bombs quality. how hard is it to mess up a french fry? its like vegan matrix food - if you believe in it enough, it will stop tasting like deep fried cardboard and turn out however you want/imagine it to taste.
(1)Allyson D.
Visiting Portland for a few days, my friend and I decided to go kayaking right over the border in WA. Without getting into it too much, our 3 hour trip turned into a 6 hour adventure. After starting at 90am and ending around 3pm, we were starving! Luckily I remembered seeing a review of Vita Cafe & had my trusty iPhone to lead the way! The food was heavenly! My friend & I shared the vegan nachos. So fresh! So delicious! Rice may not be something you would think of as a topping for nachos, but it definitely made the dish here along with the super fresh guacamole. My friend had the cold veggie wrap which she declared awesome. I had the buffalo tofu wrap. I'm still thinking about this sandwich. Perfection! It was exactly what I was looking for at that moment of hunger. The buffalo sauce was divine and they put on just the right amount of ranch dressing. I would love another one right now! There was also an assortment of yummy looking vegan treats and cakes for dessert but we were too stuffed to taste any. Service was quick, helpful and nice. A really great vibe to this place. I just noticed that there's a back patio. Will need to check that out next time. Will definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland (hopefully soon!)!
(5)Breanna L.
I stopped in for breakfast recently, I haven't been here in over 6 years. My family and I ordered 1 Thai corn cake, biscuits and gravy and the breakfast burrito. The corn cake was good, the biscuits and gravy were SUPER salty and the breakfast burrito was pretty good. I probably won't be back for breakfast, but I have had the fishwich and reuben in the past and remember liking them both. I will probably be back for lunch or dinner, I am looking forward to trying the buffalo tofu wrap, which seems to have gotten the best reviews. Staff was friendly, but not too attentive, overall we'll be back, eventually.
(3)Amanda E.
Vita's where I want to go when I've been eating variations of Chinese food for days and all of a sudden, I want something else. The Tofurkey florentine, chicken fried steak, mac & cheese, fishwich, vegan club...and more await me. The food is good and breakfast is served until 4. Sometimes that's exactly what I want to hear. The new building is a little more upscale, I think. Also, on Wednesday evenings they have a happy hour.
(4)Amy H.
Took the family here Wednesday night at 6:15p. There was quite a wait- maybe 40 minutes or so to get a table. They seemed really busy, maybe a little under staffed that night. It was worth the wait I felt for the food, and the price. It might have been so busy because kids eat for $1 between 5-7. Also, they had some great specials- $5 cocktails, I think $3 tap or something, plus a lot of $5 menu items. Our whole party of 5 ate for $35. And that was with my delicious $5 cocktail. One of the kids got the $1 mac and "cheese". It was a generous portion and she really enjoyed it. The other kid got the $5 special fish sandwich. It was a battered tofu patty on a bun. I thought that was just ok. Chicken fried "steak" with mashed potatoes and gravy- pretty good, I am not usually that much of a comfort food person, so hard for me to judge. Didn't taste chili burger or whatever husband got, seemed like he was happy with it. The fries were pretty much my favorite part. chunky with skins, with well done bits. Delicious. Service was satisfactory. Looking forward to going back to try some other menu items!
(4)Gibbs G.
Seriously delicious. The sandwiches and veggie lasagna were solid and tasty, with a pesto sauce that might be the best I've had in a restaurant: not too cheesy, not too garlicky, and not too thin. Basically, excellent. The veggie lasagna was substantial without being a bowling ball. The service was pretty good, too. The hot toddy I had was excellent, too. Faaaar better than the Bloody Mary's at vita. The weird thing was the itty bitty water glasses. I felt like I was a giant drinking from them, and I'm only a little north of 5' 4".
(4)J P.
Wow, PDX crowd is up early today...well, not sure if they are up early every Saturday. I am sure the heck not, i like to sleep in every chance I get :) We went to Vita after not wanting to wait in line at Tin Shed and Helsers. I was skeptical about trying a place I had not heard anything about.....mainly cause I did not want to be disappointed. I was happy the food was good. We both had chicken fried steaks (not real chicken of course), but excellent! The gravy, chicken apple sausage, corn pancake, brown rice and coffee was yummy! Can not go wrong with stumptown coffee...sorry starbucks :( The service was short-handed...but i think it was the cooks...not the waitress fault. The waitress was great. The environment was PDX alternative crowd comfortable.
(4)Karl R.
Great menu, but what really does it for me is the hand dryers in the restrooms. I was actually surprised the cities power grid didn't shut down. I mean the sheer force of the hot air blowing forth made my hands wrinkle like a dogs mouth hanging out of the window of a speeding car. There must be some serious horsepower behind the engine in that thing. You could dry fifty hands with one push of the button. I will return again and again. Thanks!!!
(4)Sarah B.
It seems, somehow, like their food has improved considerably since they moved across the street. The ambiance is much better too. Bravo to them for making the big leap. Overall, I really appreciate this place. There are just so few places where you can eat healthy. On a recent visit, though, the large quinoa salad felt very skimpy and I left hungry (it doesn't take much to fill me up). But I'll keep going back because that's the first time I've been disappointed since the move. Service is friendly and helpful. Sitting at the bar is fun. It can be pretty noisy which I don't mind but others might.
(4)clancey y.
how do I start? If you are one of those people that think that vegans eat rabbbit food, then you need to eat at the vita, if you are a junk food vegan or veggie this place will become your kitchen. The server I had was how a server should be and very cool, but I have heard some other reviews..there is always a server that screws all that up. Nachos YES...fried country fried something gravy was country and I knew I was only allowed to go once in a while in fear of dying from over eating. As a vegan I promote this place (so far) and as a health aware person I suggest you watch out! This is the food that americans love to eat but with the karma of an angel. There is some "sticky headed" server running around there giving people bad service, do not blame me if you get her, I have never met her. Yes on the children
(4)Andrea V.
I like Vita. I really do. But jeez, Louise, you can cut the attitude here with a knife. If you can get past the snarly-stinky-hairy waitresses, the food is pretty decent. I'm happily carnivorous but still will indulge in the occasional tofu/seitan/tempeh entree, and they have booze. Best of all, they have amazing desserts and its in my neighborhood. My vegan friends love me for taking them here. Would it really kill the wait staff to bathe and/or smile once in awhile? I swear I'd tip better if you did.
(4)Kabra M.
ok so first night in town, visiting my girlfriend whos wedding im planning, and she takes me here since im allergic to gluten...SCORE!!! (man im gonna do an even better job on her invites now LOL) it was a friday night so there was a bit of a wait but the girls were so nice it didnt matter. super cozy atmosphere w just enough buzz, you know, "were cool but not too loud and umcomfy". :) i got the supergrain dalad which was delish and my friend got the gluten free "macaroni and cheese" special. gluten free vegan?!?! easy to find on a menu?!?!?! I LOVE PDX!!!! everything was great and affordable, i cant wait til im back in may!
(4)Katie C.
Update: Unfortunately, I cannot necessarily recommend this restaurant to my celiac friends anymore. Last night, even after clearly expressing my needs to our server, I was glutened from eating at Vita Cafe. The server was a bit dismissive about my concerns ("We have a staff member here who is celiac and she's totally been fine"). This time we sat at the bar and I could see that the meals that were ready to be served were put in front of open bags of bread. The gluten-free dessert option, which I was informed was prepared in a gluten-free facility (Rawdacious), was stored underneath the regular, flour-rich cakes, although it was covered in plastic wrap. I don't expect perfection from a restaurant that isn't a dedicated facility, but for a place that lists numerous supposedly gluten-free options on its menu, it could take more care to prevent cross-contamination and its customers getting very sick.
(2)Micah D.
So I've been here a couple of times now. The food options are very good. While I am not a die hard vegetarian let alone a vegan I do love the non meat dishes. They are packed with flavor! The prices are reasonable for a sit down establishment and the servers where nice and nice servers apparently are hard to find in this town. The "bar" has bicycle gears embedded into it, that's cool. This is definitely a veggie/vegan lovers dream. They even have a raw cheesecake that I hear is the bomb but have not tried, next time.
(4)Rainbow R.
I have been wanting to try this place for ages. Even though I am not currently a vegan, it is always great to see what vegan creations are out there. When I went, I was stressed because too many things look good. I ended up trying the "fish" sandwhich, and boy, was it good. I had been a true vegetarian for about 8 years, only recently incorporating some fish back in my diet, but this sandwhich makes me realize there isn't the need! Since with most fried fish, I think you only really taste the fried part and the sauces - and that is what this sandwhich tasted like, but better. While some fish can be iffy, the tofu was cooked nicely and the sauce was really good. I can't wait to try other items off the menu!
(4)Bobo J.
Tasty vegetarian delights! I loved the vibe here. They were playing Kate Bush, the bathroom was clean and smelled like oranges, the radical literature was plentiful. We had lunch: fishwich (my personal favorite because of the deep fried and battered tofu!), seitan cheese steak (nothing special but solid), fresh-cut fries (delicious and plentiful), and thai coconut soup (flavorful). The service was excellent--very kind and attentive. I will definitely return.
(4)Xtine B.
I always like to start on a positive note so let's start with the good stuff. . . .the food. I choose this cafe as a meeting place with my stepdaughter on a recent road trip. She and her boyfriend are decidedly not vegetarians and I wanted someplace that would cater to both our tastes. They certainly excel in that area. The menu has enough diversity to satisfy anyones appetite. I had a wonderful lunch of the Vegetarian Ruben Sandwich and the soup of the day, White Bean. The sandwich was so good that I ended up eating the other half in the car within 100 miles. The Not So Good: My pet peeve about most vegetarian food is that it lacks flavor. Vegetarian restaurants, for some reason, don't think of adding a simple pinch of salt to their food and thus add to the illusion that vegetables are bland and uninteresting. I'm a firm believer in never sending anything out of the kitchen that has not been properly seasoned. A little thyme and a pinch of salt would have improved the soup beyond measure. The Not Good At All: If you're expecting a smile with your average service, forget it. I hate to slam the service from a single visit because an individual can have personal ups and downs that can affect their performance and attitude. I couldn't give them a second chance as I was just pass through. Would it have killed the waitress to make me feel welcome as opposed to infringing on her time? I just hate snotty servers.
(3)Jason D.
When I want to eat a vegan breakfast (at lunch time) made just exactly the opposite way grandma used to make it... I go here. Friendly, attentive servers. Great vegan food. Good beer on tap. The only thing I would change and the only reason there aren't five stars: the menu (and thus, the kitchen) isn't entirely vegetarian.
(4)Susan C.
Amazing vegan food. My carnivorous husband loved the buffalo tofu. Great selections for children as well.
(4)Desire' S.
I'm a vegetarian, not a vegan,but found the vegan selection I chose(vegan club) to be utterly satisfying, and well presented. The server was attentive and charming. Beyond the food, the over all layout of the place was earthy, warm, and welcoming. I'm a fan. Go vita!!
(4)Cory B.
I've always had great luck here. It gets super busy at times, but the food is always good. I especially like their vegan nachos and breakfast burritos.
(4)Jay E.
I had the Country Breakfast or something to that tune. Biscuits and gravy, tempeh bacon, tofu and crispy potatoes. YUMMMYYY. All this for only $9! I wish there was a Vita cafe in LA.
(4)Taylor W.
I have been here a few times and I always receive great service and amazing food. I love their brunch menu.
(5)Samantha P.
I keep hoping to fall in love with Vita, but never do. It's in my neighbourhood and is vegetarian friendly, but the service is always very slow (it seems like the servers have something better to do with their work time than their job or something) and the food is alright, but definitely not mind blowing. They have a good happy hour on Wednesdays, but don't expect quick, friendly service. It's alright, but there are better places in the city.
(3)BB E.
Was wandering around Alberta Street today. Outside enjoying the sunshine and clear skies (a rarity for January in Portland). Was looking for something to eat, and me and my friend were craving some Mexican food. We wandered around and found a place that looked promising, but being a vegan, i was thrown off a bit by the menu. They said the beans and rice where good to eat, but the listing of various meats and by product started to turn my stomach. So back down the street we went. And there like a light in the storm was Vita Cafe. I knew OF them. I knew that the had vegan food. I knew that after attending the NW Veg Fest this past September, that their biscuits and vegan gravy was a knock out of the ball-park. This was it. We were set. We walked right in, and immediately were seated, even though we had my kid and a large stroller with us, and it was pretty busy. They got us table and before we were to the table, a high chair was set up for us, and a place to stash our boat of a baby carrier. The menu was more than promising. The only dilemma, DECIDING! Everything sounded so good. To many choices is so much better than 1 choice like if we went to the mexican joint down the street. They even offer a kids menu which ROCKS (but my kid is still too young for his own, he just eats off my plate for now). I decided to go with the Vegan Club Sandwich, and my friend got the BLT w/ a small side of fries. Food came fast, was fresh, warm and tasted DELICIOUS! My Club was great. The "turkey" was tasty, the "bacon" tempeh perfectly cooked, and it was topped with guacamole! More foods need avocado on them. My kid even liked it (and he is only 9 months old!). My friend said her food was great too (i didn't try her sandwich, but i totally trust her judgment), and the SMALL fries she got, was more than enough for all 3 of us! We could not even eat them all. The environment is real nice. A bustling cafe type atmosphere, great fast service, awesome artwork all over the walls, and killer vegan food. I'm sold! Hands down! I'll TOTALLY be back.
(5)James E.
The staff at Herbivore recommended Vita Cafe to me, so I walked my dog about 4-5 blocks and quickly reached my destination. I've never been to Portland - ever - and being able to take my dog with me into restaurants made me love this city even more. The menu offered a lot of vegan options for me to choose from, and my God how the food quickly filled me up! What's that game called where you roll balls on dirt? Is that bacci? Did I even spell that right? I'm feeling lazy at the moment, spellcheck will have to wait. Whatever you call the game, there's a court in the outdoor area adjacent to the tables. Watching families and children play with one another whilst everyone happily ate--Seattle could stand to take a few notes from Portland.
(5)Katie M.
My boyfriend LOOVVVESSSS Vita because he's vegan and he can get fish and chips there. I think Vita is pretty good. I always get the chili because the chili is actually excellent. The people who work there are also super super nice and service is great. They also always have lots of cake, which is good news for my sweet tooth.
(4)Cosmic M.
The vegan, gluten-free tofu "fish" and chips was great! I really like how I can order from the well-prepared menu for food that meets my dietary needs. Lots of gluten free options.
(4)G W.
This place is really good. If I lived in Portland I would check it out again and again and again. Food was well prepared and service was friendly. The only reason it is getting 3 stars is because of the flies that were present in the dining area. This may have been a one time thing but staff please do something about the flies daily.
(3)Art V. B.
The vegan options in this restaurant are plenty and overall tasty, yet mostly unhealthy due to the high amount of sodium. The salads are fresh and drinks cheap. The decor of the place is nice, service very friendly and the crowd, oh well, gentrified hip as you can expect in Alberta. Both of the entrees that I shared were very salty, however, eating the club sandwich was worth the massive intake of sodium. In contrast, the chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes was a health hazard (i.e. very salty) that was not worth eating.
(3)Ranie G.
I was going to write this review earlier today, but I was planning on trying out Vita's Wednesday happy hour tonight and thought I'd allow one more impression before doling out my stars. I've been to Vita about four times before (once for take-out, which I'm not sure really counts), so I could consider myself a pretty good authority for a review. Wednesday night is Happy Hour from 5 pm to closing (not sure what time that is-11?). Draft beers are $2 as are well drinks. Cocktails off the menu are $5, and a small list of items are $5 as well. Tonight I had the Thai pasta. Not only was I shocked to see the huge portion, but it was delicious and arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering. My dining partner ordered the multigrain salad which he declared as the best salad he had ever eaten. The staff is friendly and not too hipster. Non vegans might be a little hesitant to try this place out, as most of the menu is dedicated to meat-free dishes, which include a variety of fake meats and cheeses. They do have real bacon and apple sausage in the morning, however. Even so, both of my breakfast experiences here have been a let down. I'd save this one for dinner.
(4)Carole Ann W.
Came here for the first (and second) time over the weekend because it was so close to where I was staying. I'm neither vegan nor vegetarian, so I was pleased to see that they offer meat, as well. Had the 2x2x2 both days with the chicken apple sausage and it was delicious. The first day, I ordered the NW corn cakes and they were good, but not super memorable. I'm not a huge fan of real maple syrup, and the consistency was a bit too soft for my taste. I also ordered a side of the morning potatoes, and HOLY GOD were they good. Seriously, I ate all of mine and half of my friend's both days (although the second day I wised up and subbed the corn cakes for the potatoes). I also got the grapefruit mimosa and it was lovely (and huge). Overall, I was really impressed with the food, although the service was pretty slow even when they weren't very busy. If I lived in Portland, I would come here often.
(4)Bunneh L.
This place confirmed all my suspicions about vegeterian/vegan food. It's not food. Face it, animals taste good. I ordered an omelet w/guacamole. Instead of a verdant green, this guac was an unappetizing olive/brown. I was shocked that any restaurant would even serve something so clearly past its prime. The tempeh was even worse. I don't know if it was just bad tempeh or if tempeh always tastes like ass. Either way, I hated it. The various kinds of faux meats I sampled repulsed me. How do you people EAT this stuff?
(1)Laleh E.
Vita Cafe was the first place my friends took me to eat during my recent excursion to Portland, and I'm still thinking about the excellent salad I ate there!! I ordered the Greek Salad, which was fresh and crisp to begin with, but on the side they added a pesto vinigrette of some sort, which I dipped some of the greens into. I seriously don't think I've ever been happier with a salad before!! Okay, enough about that salad! I found the atmosphere pleasant, and the menus to be artistic. The menu seemed to be friendly to all three of us, even though we each have drastically different eating habits. It was a delight to sit outside on one of the umbrella patio tables. My only regret about this place was not ordering the salad in a larger size. I also tried the thai coconut soup, which came with the onion and herb bread, which you MUST order if coming here! Delicious and nutritious earns Vita five stars!
(5)Kimberley D.
Tasty vegan desserts. Mmm, biscuits and veggie gravy. Plenty of meat options for the non-vegetarians too. My bloody mary was not amazing, though, so a star was deducted for that.
(4)Grace J.
Fresh carrot juice. Yummy vegan country breakfast with almond gravy. De-lish!. Nice servers. It was good good good.
(4)Tnerb L.
Vita has a well put together menu. There's a good variety for both veggie's and vegan's. Everything I've tried so far has been great, I am a fan of the Buffalo Things for sure. The service was spot on, quick and all the servers had a smile and were super friendly. Pricing was average for this style of food. Veggie/Vegan's this place is definitely worth checking out if you hadn't already.
(4)Kenny S.
Yummy, yummy stuff. Excellent vegetarian, & vegan options. Even a couple meat options. Good anytime of the day. But my favorite must be the Buffalo Tofu Wrap. YUM! Beer & great cocktails to boot.
(4)P O.
I'd like to give this place a positive review, but I just can't do it. The first time I went, I had a delicious vegan BLT sandwich which sitting in the very nice patio that they had at their previous location. However, I visited their new location this weekend, and was disappointed. My parents and I tried to go their Saturday evening, but when we got there, there were already 8 groups waiting for tables. It was a sign-yourself-up system, which was alright, except that there was nobody to ask how long the wait might be. After half an hour, only one group had been seated, so we called it quits. We tried again Sunday evening, and were seated right away. The tomato white bean soup I ordered was terrible. It tasted like thick tomato juice with cilantro. There were virtually no beans. It was too salty to eat. My parents and I all ordered the soup, and none of us could eat it. We told them nicely at the end of the meal that the soup was awful, and they were totally unapologetic. weird.
(2)Jill R.
On the good side... they had great vegan and vegetarian choices. What we got was really good. Their fries are awesome, and their martinis are strooong. We did not have room, but their vegan deserts looked fantastic. There are many other things on the menu I'd like to try. Hey! They even have a bocce court! On the bad side... at first it does not appear kid friendly, but when you realize that you are one of two tables without kids you begin to wonder. I totally felt like I was eating in some twisted daycare. I'd go back for the food, but I'd make sure I went late in the evening. It was my bad because I went around 6pm. I should have known better. The service was pretty slow, but really that was not too bad... the martinis were good.
(3)Nathan V.
I like Vita's new space and all, and the fact they have vegan food is great. But I can't get over the service; I really don't remember it being so bad. The other day, when our food (breakfast scramble and salad) arrived 45 minute after ordering, the most our server said was "Sorry for the delay" and walked away. I later asked if there was bread with my $8 salad. He said no. I ate, and left. It's too bad. I remember this place being so much better.
(2)Brooke H.
One word describes my Vita experience: GROSS. Lacadasical service, AWFUL corn chowder. Yikes. It's in my hood, which I love, but YUCK. I'll stroll down to Random Order Coffee House, home of the BEST PIE on the planet (not just sweet, which are each and every one fabulous, also their chicken pot pie is outta this world!!!).
(1)Erika V.
Vita is a place I always had to go to at least once when I used to visit Portland. Now that I live here I still enjoy it but it's a bit too pricey to go as much as I like. It's definitely more expensive than other places with similar items and sides aren't included. But I love their breakfast stuff. The Chicken fried steak, biscuits & gravy, turkey club are all amazing but I would say skip the mac n cheese. I remember it being not lame a couple years ago but maybe they lost the original recipe along their move across the street. The service sometimes sucks but sometimes not.
(4)Malea X.
three words, people: spicy. tempeh. sticks. goddamn they're SO good! i had lunch here 3 days in a row and the food was soooo good. recommendations: spicy tempeh sticks (after 4pm), chopped salad (after 4pm), seitan cheese steak sandwich, chicken fried "steak," corn cakes. the vegan blt is pretty good, too. they make their own vegan ranch dressing! yum. that's all. just yum.
(4)Courtney D.
Vegan, free range tasted great I was a bit skeptical going to the Vita Caf since I'm not a vegetarian and heard that their menu was primarily based on vegan choices. But once I sunk my teeth into their biscuits with almond gravy, my stomach oozed with happiness. Their menu was adventurous to say the least, which can be a bit intimidating to someone who tends to stick with what she likes. But I quickly found some eggs with free-range bacon on their breakfast menu, which was very tasty. Not sure if it was the organic vibe or not, but everything tasted healthier and settled good in my system. Tip: There's a beautiful garden patio with picnic tables just waiting for warm weather.
(3)Lulu P.
This place is consistently tasty and friendly, and even if the service is a little slow during peak hours, wait staff has always been competent and friendly. (Living in the neighborhood, I've become obsessed with the poor service at Alberta restaurants, so this is huge for me). I'm an omnivore, but Vita is my go-to weekday dinner joint,
(4)Amy L.
Good vegan food, and it's nice to have a vegan restaurant close by. Their almond gravy is divine! Only down side - slow service.
(4)A. B. C.
i heart vita. i've had at least one item for each menu, breakfast lunch and din-din. the thai corn cakes for breakfast are my favorite! made with sliced bananas, ginger, cilantro and coconut syrup, they are exotic but not weird. sweet but not too sweet, a little bit of a bite from the ginger and and l little bit savory from the corn meal and cilantro. i've seriously contemplated many other breakfast dishes but i can't bring myself to stray from their deliciousness. i am a dedicated omnivore...i mean really, i'll eat almost anything. howevah, i'm not a purist when it comes to my traditionally meaty meals. as a testament to that, the vita reuben is the best vegan reuben e-v-e-r (just ask for more sauce...but maybe that's just me, i love sauce). dare i say? it's better than a meaty reuben!?!? the first trip ever to vita was for dinner, after some friends had picked me up from the airport. i was famished. it was a wednesday. what does that have to do with anything? you ask. well, wednesday they have a happy hour that's a $5 entree and a beer (or maybe the beer is extra? either way it's all together cheaper than a normally priced entree). i had the thai pasta (i really am obsessed with peanut sauce) which was scrumptious, and a beer- from h.u.b i think...maybe from captured by porches (side note: props to myself for actually remembering the name of captured by porches without phoning-a-friend!) the only reason i've deducted a star is because the last couple of times i was there our service was less than amazing. maybe our server was having a bad day or maybe she hates her job... it definitely showed- we were being so nice and not high-maintenance at all! every time before that, though, the service has been awesome.
(4)Christen M.
I come to Vita quite frequently. I like the food, I like the atmosphere, I like the waitstaff. But everything about the place is hit and miss. Some of the food is fantastic. I especially love the "BLT" made with tempeh bacon; ditto the "fish" and chips, which come with a wonderful dill sauce. I'm also fond of some of the pasta dishes, and the desserts are just freaking fantastic. Of course, sometimes the aforementioned chips come out a bit soggy and undersalted. There's also the matter of service. Once my housemate and I came here on a not-super-busy Thursday night and waited fully half an hour just to get a chance to order, and much longer for our food to arrive. When we did, it was cold and unimpressive. The servers, I should note, were very nice and friendly, but there just weren't enough of them working that night (I think there were two or three people total, waiting on a small crowd of about 15-20 people). Frustrating. So why is this a four-star review and not a three-star review? Well, the last few times I went there, things seem to have improved greatly. I understand the restaurant has changed hands recently, there's a new menu, and the last two times I went to Vita I got pretty decent service. In fact, a couple of months ago I went to a friend's birthday dinner in a group of at least 10 people -- but we got a chance to order shortly after we'd arrived, then got our food promptly. I'm not ready to give the place a full-on ringing endorsement just yet, but I'm willing to try it once or twice more to see if the service is going to be consistently good.
(4)brianna w.
Simply the best vegan diner in the city. Or atleast in the top 5. To the impatient, avoid dining in when it's crammed full of hungry hippies, the wait can be brutal. But as far as I'm concerned it is always worth the wait. Vegans, try the "buffalo things" with ranch dressing, seriously, yowza. I also love love love the chick'n fried steak, the seitan cheese-steak and for the a.m. set, french toast.
(5)Ariel S.
Two stars is really an average of the two times I went -- the first time I swung by for brunch by myself. They were busy, and I stood there for 10 minutes waiting for the wait staff to acknowledge my existence. Each of the servers pointedly avoided making eye contact with me (seriously: I couldn't get anyone to even tell me how long the wait was going to be!), so I figured they didn't need my business and left. One star. I went back for dinner a few months later, and found it much quieter. My mac 'n' vegan-cheese was decent (nothing impressive) but my date's Ruben sandwich was totally tasty. It was a bit of a redemption (four star), but I still gotta say that it was mostly my stubbornness that sent me back -- usually the total lack of service that I got the first time I went is enough to keep me away.
(2)Vanessa K.
I think the food is delicious! We had great service. I only wish there were no flies, but I think it was because it was so hot and the windows were open.
(5)Samantha O.
best thing was the thai coconut soup fries, "fish", ranch dressing, coffee, onion bread were terribly dissapointing.
(2)Jon S.
Awesome Awesome Awesome. We got into town last night, and this was our first stop. My girlfriend is Vegan and loved everything, and I did too. I'm keeping this short, but the buffalo things rock, as does the ethos of the place.
(5)Ann S.
After reading all the reviews about the service here you would think the owners would get on the clue-bus. We almost walked out today as I felt that we were invisible. I did not see a smile on any of the servers faces. It appeared they all needed an attitude adjustment. They were busy, but not harried. They even had time to rest at the counter. The drinking water was rather warm and it was a hot day out, as this is Alberta Street Fair day and spending a couple hours on the hot asphalt one gets hot. The beer was warm as well and the guy just made excuses and made no attempt to fix the problem. Finally my friend said, "just put some ice in it". This is my second visit here and really liked the food both times. Finally one waiter came to our table and made an attempt at service recovery. My friend got a beer in a can and the server said he would take it back if it was not cold. It was fine. He ended up charging us for only one beer so he truly understood service recovery. What he did was saved my review from only giving one star. I may try this place again, but if the service attitude is going to continue like this, there are many other vegan restaurants around.
(3)Alla S.
Good stuff! The best vegan chicken fried steak that I've ever had! Excellent variety of vegan dishes and dessert!
(4)mel p.
Double date night and this is where we chose to go without reading reviews before hand. Good idea? Bad idea? We had to wait about 10 minutes on a busy Friday night to be seated. Not bad seeing iv waited up to 45 minutes at some places. Right off the bat though it took a server over 7 minutes to come over and acknowlege that we were in the place and ooohhh so ready to place drink orders. Red wine, some fruity raspberry cocktail,Blue Sky cola and water would do that trick. On to the better part. I had the vegan burger with shrooms and onions. It was great. Homemade id even say seeing whole chickpeas were falling out at one point. I loved it. Next up,Italian pasta with kale,veggie sausage and a few other choice items. It could had been better. I'll leave it at that. Also at the table we had a "real burger please", it was pretty good. Kind of typical but free range, hormone free quarter pound beef makes this a step up in the right direction. Finally sitting across from me was a greek salad with crumbled feta cheese, roasted red peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion,and olives with basil vinaigrette. I think she added the fried tempeh as well to the salad. Spot on was the term I belived was used on this one. Remember to order fries if you want them,seeing they do not come with the burgers. This palce is getting 3 stars not really for its food. That could had been 4 stars without a doubt. Though it gets 3 stars because the service was lackluster. The waiter never WAITED to fully hear the order before walking away. Man that bugs me. And lastly I ordered fries with my vegan buger and they came out 10 minutes AFTER we were all served our food. Major faux pas. Over all I say it was a good idea going to this place. I'll for sure give it another shot.
(3)Susan B.
We've been going to Vita for a while...I love that they have a great selection of Vegan and Vegetarian options, but are still friendly to the meat eaters. I'm very close to a Pescatarian, except that I let the occasional piece of chicken in my diet every once in a while...that and I love cheese! Otherwise, I'd be Vegan for sure, especially with a place like Vita to eat. So, I have been wanting to write a review forever. I love their Thai curry soup and their Supergrain salad! Delic! Last night was the meal that tipped me to write my review though! They had a SouperBowl special! It was ridiculous! It was the Thai curry soup with barley and steamed veggies and a fried piece of Tempeh (seriously is like a piece of Chicken Fried steak - just like it says on the menu). This thing was off the hook. Pair it up with the Supergrain Salad and you won't be dissapointed! Dessert is yummy too. We had the lemon coconut and weren't dissapointed. We loved this special so much we asked for them to add it to the menu, they said they have all the stuff to make it so we could special order it if we wanted! Yay! I also love that they put a caraffe of water on the table for you. I know that's becoming more the norm, but it's just another reason they rock!
(5)Rick B.
This was the first time I had been back to Vita in over 5 years or so. My wife, who has never been here before, and I were going to be in the neighborhood and decided to go and check this place out. We are not vegetarians but the menu still sounded good to us. Upon our entry, we were greeted to a small crowd of people standing around and waiting. It took me a minute to realize that there was no one to greet guests, just a piece of paper for you to write your party size down on. I looked around the place and there were at least three or four unseated tables. However, there was definitely not enough staff to clear and reset and seat these tables. The staff seemed to be in a mild panic with only half of the restaurant full, all running around aimlessly. Then I noticed that there did not seem to be any one in charge of this chaos. They finally started getting some of the empty tables sat, but we were offered a place at the bar. We took it since it had been 15 minutes already and looked to be another 20 or so. This turned out to be a wonderful decision. Our waitress was quick to ask us if we wanted a drink. We both asked for a pint of the Ninkasi, but they were out of it. I then went with the IPA and the waitress, seeing our disappointment, gave us a three-quarter pint from when the keg blew and she didn't charge us for it. Things were starting to look up!! There were plenty of fun and interesting things on the menu. I decided to go with the Thai pasta and my wife went with the club sandwich with a side of fries. Our food came to the counter in no less than 3 minutes!! My pasta was served with tofu and assorted locally grown greens in a Thai peanut sauce. It was quite delicious! Maybe an extra pinch or two of salt in the sauce would have sent this dish out of this world, but it was still very good. The club sandwich was very good as well. The smokey flavored faux bacon was a nice touch. It wasn't until half way through our meals did we realize that there was a Wednesday special going on. This would explain the chaos for an early Wednesday night. It was all starting to make sense to me. And when our bill came and was under 20 dollars I almost choked! We were charged for only one beer and my entree was only five bucks on Wednesdays!! It seems that if only they had someone in charge making this place run a little smoother, things would have been great. They really do have some cool and great tasting veggie food here and they are also very kid friendly.
(3)Lauren W.
In my last four day stay in Portland I went to Vita Cafe three times! The vegan options are great. Sit down in booth-style seating to enjoy their comfort food! I would especially recommend the breakfast. With options like biscuits with almond gravy, "chicken" fried steak, or fluffy french toast it's hard to go wrong. I'd recommend ordering those potatoes spicy with the Italian tofu scramble- complete with artichoke hearts, olives, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Portions are filling and decently priced. Another plus is the full-bar, with $2 draft pints on Wednesday nights. Oh, and they also have a bocce ball yard, though I've never played there.
(4)Cori W.
This was my fav cafe in Portland during my previous visit, we went twice in 3 days! You must get the vegan fishwich. Perfection! I never liked fish before becoming a vegetarian but this sandwich kills it. The tofu is perfectly crispy and not too moist/raw in the middle, the vegan tartar sauce was superb and the pickles! icing on the cake. Order some fries on the side, very crispy, perhaps double dipped? either way they were fantastic. Only thing I didn't like about my meal was the vegan bloody mary. While I was stoked to see vegan bloody mary aside from making one myself I wasn't a fan of the wasabi as it was far too spicy, needed more balance. Our second visit I tried the BLT with tempeh bacon and it wasn't as memorable. My bf had the huevos racheros with tofu the first visit, it was a large serving with lots of beans and flavor, the second time he had a seitan philly and was very pleased. I'd love to try breakfast and something more dinner-y since we had mostly lunch items. LOVE THE TOFU FISHWICH.
(4)Sherlock H.
I wanted to check this place out since it was featured as a food place on the northwest vegetarian web site. I'm no longer a vegetarian, but do enjoy finding places that offer good veg options in case I want to scale back on meat. This isn't the place. First of all, the interior is pretty bohemian in style, not exactly a decor that makes one think of cleanliness, especially given the little flies hovering over the tables. I got the tempeh "chicken fried steak" meal, and it was pretty bad. Tasted like deep fried cardboard. The mashed potatoes that came with it were bland as well. The clientele at the place seemed to be throwbacks from the 60s, not that it affects my meal, but it gives you an idea of the type of people who likely find this to be a good place. I also ordered a salad with spicy shrimp. The salad was brought out at the same time as my meal which suprised me, and the shrimp were not spicy, again pretty much lacking in flavor. The cook, by the way, has a beard, and that just bugs me to see someone with facial hair leaning over my food. We will never, ever return to this place.
(1)Megan O.
love this place. i've never had anything but good food here, it never disappoints. the vege chicken fried steak is sooo delicious and super hearty. greek tofu scramble, fishwich, mac and chese, blt with fake bacon, biscuits and gravy, it's all yummy. be sure to try their yogi black tea, it has ginger, cardamom and pepper. it's spicy and has a great taste. you may have to wait a bit to get a table, but just grab a paper and be patient.
(4)Christina C.
Great menu selection, awesome food. Cute back patio with bocce ball. Reasonable prices, I was impressed.
(5)Ananda R.
Yes Indeed! A great place for veggie fare! The fake BLT is SO DAMN GOOD, and the lemon grass veggie thing is most awesome, AND they have Sangria.... a spicy take on an original idea!!! XOXO PS the Patio Rocks with the bocce ball!!
(4)Neal W.
I love Vita Cafe! What a great vibe this place has! The food is always very good, but not enough for a five star rating in my opinion. Still, I love it. The back patio is the place to be if you go. It's beautiful out there. I love the mix of vegan, vegetarian, and meateater options here. I'm a veggie, but I can bring my vegan and omni friends here too! Always the most fun after Last Thursdays!
(4)Kate S.
So, maybe my 5 stars is a little on the naive side as I am new to vegan cuisine, but that day it couldn't have gotten much better. My friend and I, a recent vegan convert decided to give this place a whirl on a beautiful sunny weekday afternoon. We were seated outside in their spacious patio and the server was very friendly and helpful. My friend got the tofu buffalo wrap and hesitantly, I got the nachos. Que rico is all I can say! The buffalo wrap was TO DIE FOR and the nachos were equally tasty. They have vegan happy hour and a great vegan dessert selection. Maybe it was a combination of the weather, my company or trying new cuisine, but Vita Cafe had me thinking go vegan or go home by the time we left!
(5)carly s.
Vita has gotten a whole lot better in the past year or so. The vegan breakfast options aren't the best and the guacamole tastes like it comes pre-made but the specials, tofu buffalo wrap and onion and herb bread are awesome. Most of the servers are nice and helpful.
(3)Jared Z.
this place has amazing homestyle greasy spoon style vegan food, soooo good. get the "chicken" fried seitan with mushroom gravy
(5)Sarah M.
Oh, YUM. Vita is where it's at... I moved away from Portland not too long ago, so I write these reviews as a way of reminiscing when I get hungry, it's kind of sad but enjoyable. Every sammich on the menu is delectable, but especially the Fishwich. Although I haven't had "Cold Veggie Wrap", just cause I never go for things like that... As for starters, the Buffalo/BBQ Thangs are hot and spicy with a punch, just how I like it. I will stop there because I could go on and on. Oh, beware: on First Thursday they are crazy busy and only serve a selection of things off the menu (or at least this was the case last year). This can be disappointing if you travel an hour from SE Portland to eat dinner with high hopes of a full menu... lesson learned.
(5)Krysta V.
I've been a Vita patron for many years. Service has been hit or miss at times, but the new location is much better. Lots of great options, generous portions and good prices. No one has mentioned their fries, which I happen to think are some of the best. Thick cut with the skin still on. They are super satisfying. I don't think I'm capable of eating at Vita and NOT getting the ceasar salad. I love the Chicken Fried Steak. The fishwich is awesome. Breakfast is always good.
(4)Kelly R.
Vita Cafe is a regular spot for a close group of friends of mine in the NE area. That being said I find myself there more than I'd ever though I would and I have to say. I have never been disappointed. The food options here are plentiful for both vegans and vegetarians alike. Not to mention the quantities are along the lines of comfort food. Vegan Comfort food? Need I say more? Go check it out, bring a couple friends and an appetite. Friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere make this place a great "I drank too much last night" stop in the early morning, and an all around great place to make eats happen.
(4)F. Explora L.
the buffalo chicken wrap was delicious! nice n' spicy too!
(5)Arnie Lewis T.
Gosh, I don't have much to say....it's okay, but not super fantastic. I've been many times (in the old location across the street) and have always enjoyed. But last night was definitely lackluster. Service lacked and I felt like spending $30 for burger/fries, Mac & Cheese, and two happy hour beers was way too much. I was having a hard time coming up with something REALLY delicious and yummy off of their Last Thursday special menu....something was missing. So, I'm not sure I'll be back. There are so many choices in Portland and along Alberta -- and this has definitely moved down a few notches for me.
(2)Valerie F.
I've heard great things about this place & couldn't wait to try it. The first time I went I ordered the turkey club or something (came with turkey, bacon, guacamole, tomato) My friend said she would have the same. The waitress brought us BLTs. We told her that's not what we ordered & since the only difference was the turkey & guacamole she said she would bring it out. About 15 minutes later we got it. (The sandwich was actually very good) Accidents happen no big deal. I went there again a few months later & ordered the breakfast burrito. I don't what they ended up giving me because there was broccoli & carrots in it. I have never heard of a breakfast burrito like that. Sadly, I didn't notice it until I got home because it was pretty damn flavorless to begin with. The waitress acted like her shit didn't stink like a typical Portland hipster. She also rushed to bring us our check without even asking if we wanted desert (which my friend did). Considering both times I've gone my order has gotten screwed up I don't see any reason to go back.
(1)Aaron R.
Went back, specifically for the Vegan Mac-n-Cheese, and it was YUM once again. I totally missed their move across the street, though -- when I got there, it was a mix of vertigo and deja vu dealing with the fact that they moved directly across the street. I like the new space, though -- not quite as loud. Oh, and if you go on Wednesday nights, they have cheap eats for $5: Mac and Cheese, Fishwiches and more.
(5)Abe I.
Vita still has a lot to work out, (their tempeh would be better suited as a sponge), but the stand out biscuits and gravy, and nachos are always great. Also the desserts are absolutely killer, and their eclectic menu (eastern, italian, veggie, and meat options among other things) can usually keep any mix happy, and the decor is welcoming and clean. But all in all, the Vita is like a drunk preacher, and their sermons of delicious veggie food sometimes fall flat. Also, I should mention, the service is usually pretty bad, tables get ignored and orders get forgotten constantly.
(2)Heidi C.
I visited the Vita when I was checking out PDX to see if I wanted to move here and it was one of the factors that convinced me that it was the right move. As a vegetarian from Omaha, NE this place was heaven. The chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and almond gravy is one of my favorites, although it is coma inducing. Lately I've been enjoying their soup of the day that they serve with herb and onion bread. I'm highly addicted to that bread... so good. The seitan cheese steak is amazing, I wish they served it for lunch. So many great dishes. My only complaint are the wooden booths. I find them seriously uncomfortable. When I'm dining with friends it gets really distracting. Aside from the seating I highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.
(4)Kathy T.
I wa not imressed. I was really looking forward to going there while traveling through PDX but it was a disappointment. The almond gravey was really not good at all! The biscuits were left over from who knows when. The wait staff was nice enough but the food was not very good. My partners food was good enough so i ate some of his. The corn cakes were good but dont try the gravy!
(1)audrey y.
Vita Cafe is one of the few "safe" places for my son to eat at, since he has major food allergies (egg, dairy, nuts). The staff is extremely knowledgeable about the ingredients and won't hesitate to check with the kitchen about ingredients. The savory kids' mac n' cheese is his favorite (love that the after 5PM kids menu is only $1/dish!), while my daughter prefers the pasta with red sauce and parmesan cheese. I like how they don't "dumb down" the kids menu, but rather offer just smaller portions of what the grown-ups enjoy :). While the pasta isn't going to beat out a "pasta" restaurant (and the same thing with one of their burgers vs. a "burger" restaurant..you get the idea), you gotta give credit where credit is due - they do a very decent job under one roof of tasty, vegan food. The winners in our book are the lasagna (ask for both the red and the pesto sauce!), the thai coconut soup (you can have a little brown rice thrown in there for substance), and the tempeh/tofu fries. The bread that accompanies the soup just rocks. And the vegan dessert selection is great too...try the chocolate mint cake, or the oatmeal cranberry cake! Minus a star because, well, it's not the cleanest joint. I'm a little leery of the toys in the communal toy bin and the floors under the booth...let's say you don't want to have your kids hanging out there too long, looking for crayons. But, hey, what's a little dirt? And germs build up your immune system! Otherwise, great job and thanks for making little kids who can't eat dairy and eggs have a fun, safe place to eat!
(4)R S.
Want to love them, but I'm never quite there. Loved them more at the old location. The new menu items (like he sloppy biscuit-- egg gravy and cheese open face on a biscuit, vegan version available) are very strong-- maybe strong enough to make up for the loss of lived in ambiance. I think what holds me back is that (sorry) some of the items remain a little blander than expected--but anything with gravy or tartar sauce, vegan hollandaise, coconut, etc. will be sure to be tasty. So if you order right its five stars-- and if you have one thing you don't like, don't fail to go back.
(4)Maria L.
A reliably consistent place to get tempeh BLT's. Nice people too.
(3)Mikaela S.
I've been trying to give my self some time to think about vita cafe and try to figure out what it is that put me off. the first time i visited i at breakfast with my friend. we ordered the Thai corn cakes and they were wonderful. we also go a smoothie and scramble and loved every bite. we met a rad mama there in the booth next to us and our waitress was great so of course we wanted to go back. the next time we went for dinner and it started off so well. we knew what we wanted to order and when our waitress came around promptly she leaned in close next to one of the babies sitting highchair who had a small menu and was waving it around. inevitably before we could warn her she got whacked in the eye. we felt terrible and even more so when the waitress ran away and didn't return. we both felt embarrassed and incredibly uncomfortable. a different waitress came back later and we ordered just a small something but didn't feel like eating anymore. we wanted to apologize to the waitress or ask if she was ok. we asked our new waitress how she was doing and she said 'i think she is really hurt'. oh crap we thought, the baby injured the waitress now what? but, as we were leaving our missing waitress made an appearance and apologized, said she was fine and ran off because she was stressed out and in shock but her eye isn't hurt. a huge sigh of relief but still made me uncomfortable. why didn't she come out and say that maybe half hour sooner and spare us the shame? i don't know. but what i do know is that this meal was lacking in flavor and quite uncomfortable.
(3)Rassamee H.
Definitely the vegetarian/vegan's paradise (that is coming from a meat-eater though). Not sure what a certified vege/veg would say. Had a side of fries which was more like a whole meal, needed salt, but not bad. Also ordered a "real" burger (meat), pretty bland, I guess they only season the vegetarian/vegan food. My husband got the salad with different grains (quinoa, etc.) in it. Not his cup of tea either. Our veg friends were happy but after a weekend of tromping from one veg-friendly Portland restaurant to another, I was ready for some meat-friendly food. Luckily I went to a diner in Seattle the next day for some bacon and eggs:)
(3)Rickie Lee T.
I used to think this place was the cat's pajamas, but I understand now that I was dodging the restaurant's mediocrity by ordering the AWESOME Reuben sandwich every damn time I went. The cheese steak is the only other thing that I would recommend. I hate me a veg burger that wants to be meat...there are so many awesome things we can make fake burgers out of (black beans, mushrooms, etc), the fakey-meaty taste of Vita's burger simply will not do! Last time I ordered my staple Mediterranean salad, it came with a new addition: cabbage?!?! Who puts cabbage in a Med salad? I felt kinda bad about saying anything, but when I did the waitress was nice enough to take one of the beers off our tab, so props for that. If you go, order the Reuben!
(3)Julia S.
The waitstaff here is always snotty and borderline rude. They overcharged my pal's card & messed up my order. The food is really hit or miss. But honestly the biggest downer is the obnoxious staff and their inability to smile or be friendly.
(2)Vanessa M.
Sevice can be spotty, but it's a reliable spot, serves the best and healthiest not-so-healthy food (e.g. biscuits and gravy) possible. Plus, they cater to just about every strange and/or restrictive diet possible.
(4)Beth L.
We hadn't been to the Vita in awhile but with family in town and a couple of vegan/vegetarians in the group, we decided to go. The food is just as good as always and we had great service. Our waiter was professional, quick and kind. The food arrived quickly and everything was just right.
(5)Edward J.
I love Vita Cafe. The vegan food is wonderful, though it may take some use to for the meat eaters who never had vegan food. I got the vegan fried chicken steak with gravy, and that was tasty. My boyfriend got the mushroom strognoff pasta, he thought it was alright, could've do perfect with some vegan beef or chicken. My friend from LA (the meat eater) got the fish and chip, now that was a bit disappointing. We expected to be soy fish but it was soft tofu fried with vegan batter. The batter and the fries are good though. We want to try the dessert next time we go. The cake looks so good.
(4)Samantha E.
Not only was the food amazing but our service as prompt, kind and honest. Ashley a great! Not only did she take time out of running a billion tables (the place was packed) to answer our questions about the menu but she was honest about what was good and what was just okay. My Thai coconut soup was out of this world as was the basil dressing for my salad. Good job Vita Cafe and Thank you!!
(5)J B.
best menu in portland for vegetarian
(5)M K.
I love the selection of vegan food they have here. I have tried the vegan ruben, the club sandwich the mac and cheese, and a few of the soups and salads, all of which were awesome. The soup and salad comes with some amazing home made bread that I'm in love with. The service is ok, but the food makes up for it
(5)Surranna V.
I spent a short amount of time in my life as a vegan and I swore by this place. They have great selection of things for vegans and veggies. I would only return if I was with a veg. They also carried some good wines to go with dinner. I dug the atmosphere also.
(5)Bula W.
I'm addicted to the Seitan Stew. Love it. My mouth waters when i think of it (like right now....). Their drinks are also fun, especially during Wednesday's discounts. Kids do run around during happy hour but the place still has a great vibe.
(4)Marcel L.
We popped in here by accident, and since I was in the mood for a burger and fries I definitely didn't try any of their specialties. But the burger was great, although the fries were a bit greasy and soggy. The service was good and they had a few toys for tots. A pleasant repast in a warm environment.
(4)pepper j.
Wonderful food, great in the summer
(5)Jeremy S.
Being new to the neighborhood and having driven by this place, we assumed it was a coffee shop. After having gotten coffee across the street at the Concordia Coffee House, however, and peeking in and seeing people eating food, we came to the conclusion that it is in fact a restaurant (duh). After perusing the menu, we decided to give it a shot. We ended up splitting the Mediterranean tuna steak and the risotto fritters. If there's anything I can complain about here, it;s the service, which, while not horrible, was less than attentive. It was a busy night, so I'll cut them some slack, especially since the food was so good! They goofed and brought our risotto fritters to another table, so our meal was a little backwards (entree first then appetizer), but the tuna was so damn good we didn't really care. And for $9.75?? Seriously, this is a meal that you would expect to pay $16 for and not feel ripped off. It was that good. At $7, the risotto fritters were tasty, but much less bang-for-your-buck awesome. Being not even slightly vegan or vegetarian, there are aspects of this place that annoy me a bit (what if I just want some REAL mac n' cheese??), but overall we would definitely come back here again (if for no other reason than that tuna steak), and their Wednesday night happy hour seems like a great deal - $2 pints of Wolaver's?? Say no more, I'm in!! Edit: We came back for breakfast a few days later and split the "country plate" (or whatever it is). I made a point to ask the waitress how someone like myself who is neither vegan nor vegetarian would react to their "almond gravy". Upon hearing my question, a guy seated at a table behind us piped up and said "well, I'm not vegetarian eigther, but I love it". So, given that endorsement and the generally high caliber of food we've experienced here (see above), we decided to give it a shot. And well, if I had the choice between sausage gravy and almond gravy, I probably wouldn't choose the almond, it was still pretty good, and overall the meal was excellent - and the two of us got filled up for $10 ($9 for the plate and $1 for an extra biscuit)! The waitress was a bit surly again (although once again it was very busy, and for awhile she was the only waitperson there), but I'm willing to deal with it when the food is this good and this cheap!!
(4)kristin e.
All day happy hour on Wednesdays is what I discovered upon being seated which was perfect because I was craving mac-n-cheese (vegan) and saw that during HH, it's $5 instead of $7 and cocktails were $5 (I think) too. I ordered the philly cheese steak (made with seitan) with vegan cheese because I dislike pepperjack cheese (the real cheese option of you order it) and the mac-n-cheese with steamed broccoli added on top. The cheesesteak was pretty tasty but I was a little disappointed with the mac-n-cheese. I was hoping for a nice creamy mac-n-cheese (like the super delicious one featured on vegnews.com ) but it was kinda thin and watery...it'd be more accurate to list it as some kind of pasta dish and not mac-n-cheese. I had the ginger rogers cocktail (kinda like a mojito but with gin and gingerale instead of soda and rum) which sounded good in theory but it wasn't well balanced and tasted too much like gin to taste the hints of mint and ginger.
(4)Kelly M.
Vita used to be owned by the same folks who brought us the Paradox, the cornerstone of Vegan restaurants in southeast. The Vita Cafe, their Northeast endeavor, features similar comfort food tendencies, but with a more sophisticated menu and atmosphere. Lots of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options, plus a nice patio and good desserts.
(4)Valerie W.
The moment I stepped into this cafe, I knew I liked it. The atmosphere gave off a laidback and unique vibe, which was a good start. I loved the variety of options on the menu. I tried the Vegan Mac 'n Cheese, which I know is not terribly exciting, but I wanted to see how the flavor compared with regular mac 'n cheese. It was quite tasty. My two friends ordered the Thai Pasta and Italian Pasta, both of which were delicious and flavorful (of course I had to try them). The "sausage" in the Italian Pasta had a nice bit of spiciness to it. I absolutely love the low prices for most of the dishes. The night we went, my mac 'n cheese only cost $5, as well as my friend's thai pasta. We also tried the Mint Chocolate Cake for dessert, and it was amazing. I wouldn't mind coming back just for dessert. As other people mentioned, the service was quite slow, but since this was my first visit, it was worth the wait. I will definitely be returning to try some of the other dishes.
(4)TheBeesKnee S.
I want to like the Vita Cafe, but I'm still on the fence. The menu is amazing, the food itself is okay. The problem comes in when they advertise something like homemade seitan and then barely include it. I got the seitan stew and was hoping for a hearty cold-weather meal, but the seitan was in paper-thin strips the width and height of my pinky finger. Disappointed, I turned to my boyfriend to try his Italian pasta, he said he could barely find the homemade sausage. It was crumbled into teeny tiny pieces, and just dusted on the pasta. Come on, guys, give us the good stuff! Give us big chunks of our fake meat!
(3)Reed E.
When people speak of the disdainful attitude of portland servers, they all must have been to the Vita at least once. Portland is a pretty veggie friendly town, and I can think of at least ten other places I'd go to before this one. I guess their biscuits and almond gravy is pretty good, but the lack of service kind of makes it not worth it. I once waited over an hour before our food came. It wasn't that packed, and numerous times we saw our "waitress" sitting at the bar talking to some dreaded out stink bomb. We only kept waiting cuz the person with us really likes their pancakes. I wish I could give it another chance because some of the food is tasty, it's got a nice outside seating area, and it's close to home, but I can't stand being in an establishment where the workers make you feel unwelcome.
(2)sara r.
Why is it that almost every "vegetarian" restaurant in portland serves meat? How stupid. However, despite its stupidity, vita is still my favorite place to eat in portland. The chicken fried steak with almond gravy is vegan and fantastic. Also the mac and cheese with brocolli and tempeh is pretty awesome too. Fair prices and USUALLY not too long of a wait.
(4)jillian r.
not impressed. the food was alright. tempeh bacon not that great, mac and cheese nothing to write about, bland bland bland, the chili wasn't too bad, but they couldn't have given a smaller portion... the service was terrible and that completely killed my dining experience. willing to give it another shot, based solely on the other reviews. But not if our server is the female server with short blond hair.
(2)Juliette S.
I went to this place after being given the impression by their advertising in a family magazine that it was a kid restaurant. It was as much a kid restaurant as any restaurant is with a kids menu and coloring crayons. I actually felt a little uncomfortable bringing my kids there as the restaurant doesn not have a kids friendly vibe. I actually almost didn't walk in because I thought is was a bar at first glance. The tempeh is tolerable at best if it is slathered with gravy or hummus, or both. My friend ordered the biscuits and gravy and that was fabulous. My daughter was terrified of her plate of rice, veggies and tofu. So the food was hit or miss. The service was very slow at best. The place not busy at all and everything took forever. If you consider that there are very few vegan options in town, it should be 5 stars, I just can't do that though. They didn't earn it. Hint for staff: When you have a customer with a screaming child, and the customer is standing by the booth with a crying baby - it is probably a good time to bring the check. Just a suggestion.
(3)Jillian B.
Club Sandwich til I die.
(5)Tall C.
I went here for the first time because it was fairly close to an event @ Woodlawn Pk. that me and my date went to. I never hang in this neighborhood because all it has, as far as getting out to "sight see" is mostly bars and restaurants. Kinda reminds me of being in a theme park......shit, Portland is kinda like a big theme park but you can live there. Anyway, we had a great waitress who brought me my order of fries(wasn't very hungry) and them sommBitches were way over cooked! As soon as she was getting ready to sit them on the table, i was like "damn! he sizzled them babies to death eh?" but she was cordial about it and let me ttry one just to see and i was like "nah" . So about 10 min later she brought back some fries that were tits. Perfectly done(crispy outside and moist inside). My date ordered the vegan buffalo wings, which i tried and loved. Great buffalo sauce over battered tofu, but the dip was not so great tho. I would return for more tho....the cook knows what he's doing.
(3)katie g.
The boyfriend and I decided to come here on Sunday after we decided that we didn't have the three hours it takes to eat at the Tin Shed. The inside is all right looking, I found the giant numbers posted on each booth or table a little off-putting. I mean, can't the wait staff memorize which tables are which? I bet its not that hard. Anyways, i had a hard time deciding what I wanted and my waitress happily pointed somethings out. I had the 2+2+2 ( 2 corn cakes, 2 eggs (or tempeh or tofu) and 2 meat(ish) items) and my boyfriend had the mexican scramble with potatoes and homemade onion bread. The Tempeh that I substituted for eggs were totally flavorless, and I had to steal some gravy from the biscuits and gravy that we had also ordered to make them palatable. The corncakes and tempeh bacon were delightful. The corncakes are really hearty and I wish I had just ordered them with a side of bacon. The gravy was good (although not as good as mine) and my boyfriend really liked his scramble and the bread. The potatoes were dry and crispy, which some people may be into, and don't have a whole lot of seasoning on them, so keep that in mind if you are ordering them. As for the service, our waitress was sufficient, but it was hard to wave her down to ask for things that she have brought in the first place (jam for the toast, etc.) and seemed pissed when we wanted a clean fork after one fell on the ground (I'm certainly not going to assume that their floor is as clean as mine!). Pretty typical Portland service that gets by here but would be abominable anywhere else in the world. There is a big patio out back that looks like its pretty sweet during the summer and a full bar. I like that they compost everything. Overall, I think this is another example of a place that is trying too hard to serve vegan food that tastes like meat instead of just trying to serve good food that happens to be vegan.
(3)ToriDawn S.
I've been here twice now and have been pretty darned pleased both times. Portland is supposed to be a mecca for vegan and veg faire, and Vita Cafe lives up to that rep! First time I came, a friend and I just shared the nachos-YUM!!! He's not even vegan and was hesitant about trying the vegan cheese, but after one bite he changed his mind. The portion was excellent, the flavors great, and if I hadn't felt bombarded by the waiter to order a slice of vegan cake (he asked about 4 times), my first time would have been 5-star worthy. My second visit was good, but not quite as great-although I was quite hungover and it was my birthday so expectations were high. I had a bloody mary (thumbs up) and, after reading all the reviews, the chicken fried steak. I will agree with everyone else and say that this is a meal made in veg heaven. and you dont even have to be a veg to love it. The mac and cheese was so-so...kinda bland and not well reheated. Service has always been friendly yet average, and I love the giant booths. Very spacey and fairly private.
(4)lauren b.
So after my first visit to Vita I was so excited about this place. It really was amazing. The first time. Worth 5+ stars. Upon returning (and getting the same thing) a few times, it is clear to me that it it's worth three. The wine is good. The veggie lasagna (the first time) was incredible and then went downhill. The service blows for the most part to be quite honest. My most vivid memory of vita was the wait. Waiting on water, waiting on wine, waiting waiting waiting. The servers were ok I guess, but more on the normal snotty portland end of things. I really wanted to love this place. If the service was a bit better and the food more consistent, it would be so much better. I brought my dog one of the last times which was cool, only to be turned away because they decided randomly to close early. It's definitely not the best veggie/vegan place around, but it's decent. It's worth giving it a whirl.
(3)augustus B.
The Vita is aways a good bet. I give the points for consistency and service. A few people have remarked on the way the servers look. If you want abercrombie zombies, go to the pearl...This is a vegan/vegetarian friendly place in alberta, what did you expect? That being said, i don't care if the staff starts wearing bones through their noses, the service here is ALWAYS on point. Maybe if some people weren't total eff- faces, the people at vita would treat them better. I always get a good recommendation and a smile, so i dont think you can believe everything that people say. Anyway, the food is good, the service is great, and there is never a long wait. The only thing to be weary of is the deserts. Ask how fresh they are and buy accordingly, and you're all set. If you're on the winning (vegan) team, break bread here, you will enjoy the meal
(4)pongo p.
duuuddeee! we used to live in tacoma, wa and took the trip to pdx a few times a year and we always stopped here or the sister restaurant, paradox. their chicken fried steak (vegan) is the best i've ever had. their nachos are incredible.
(4)Elizabeth O.
I love the Vita Cafe (across the street from its old location). It's got a little bit of everything - and you can't help but enjoy the cool decor. I would recommend this place for all ages. There's a toy box and high chairs for kids. There's a bar for adults. And the menu suits everyone. Try the salmon cakes - they're delicious! I'll definitely be going back to the Vita Cafe.
(5)Wendy C.
Why do I always find great patios at the tail end of summer? Arrrgh! Friend had a gift certificate for Vita Cafe she'd been trying to unload for a year, so we met up with small children in tow to cash that sucker in. First, had no idea how child-friendly the patio was. Even the bocce ball court, if you can reinforce the "balls are for rolling, not for throwing" rule, is pretty good entertainment. Families were hanging out at the big picnic tables and everyone seemed very sociable. Just a good neighborhood vibe - small child even saw a buddy from school there. Second, completely spacey service. Wait staff wandering around not doing much. Bread brought out like 20 minutes after salad had been consumed. Things randomly added to and left off the bill. Third, food was decent. I had a tomato and basil salad with fried chickpeas and immediately demanded that everyone at the table try a fried chickpea. So good! All the other food got an "eh, it's fine" reception. Vita's focus on organic/sustainable/vegan even carries over to their tidy little wine and beer list. Finally, cheapskate that I am: Kids eat for $1 every day from 5-7pm! ALSO: adults can get a $5 dinner AND a $2 cocktail on Wednesdays during the same hours. Next summer, I'm totally camping out here.
(4)neil o.
love this place. at dinner i had lasagna - half red sauce and half pesto since i couldn't decide - and it was all wonderful. breakfast burrito is also fantastic, as is the italian scramble. herb onion toast is great. no complaints.
(5)Rachel J.
The first time I ate here I went with my omnivorous boyfriend and our vegan friend, and we ordered up a delicious feast, complete with vegan desserts. Everybody left sated and happy.
(5)April B.
the service wasn't that great (slooooooooooow), but I had the vegan biscuits and gravy and it was amazing. brown gravy, of which i am normally not a fan, and a tall homemade biscuit. mmmm good. and for dessert--vegan mint chocolate cake. i can't wait to go back and try other menu items. i wish it was closer to my house.
(4)