4. Restaurants

Cafe Manna

3815 N Brookfield Rd, Brookfield, WI, 53045
  • (262) 790-2340
  • Store is closed

Cafe Manna Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Brookfield for healthy meals suggestion.

TGI Friday’s ( 17430 W Bluemound Rd )
Cinnabon ( 95 N Moorland Rd Ste A64 )

  • Richard O.

    A friend of mine took me here for my birthday and I was blown away. nestled in the bowels of Brookfield, in a shopping center I never knew existed in an area I never knew existed, is one of the most amazing vegetarian restaurants I've ever been to. It was, like, sublime. It was a little pricey and a little impossible to get to for non-driving Milwaukee folk like me but I eagerly look forward to eating here again. If only there were a location on the East Side, Downtown, or in Bayview. I'm just amazed this place is west of 1st Street, let alone in the hinterlands of Brookfield. Please god let them expand to a second location and let me wish upon a star that they put it east of 1st Street. You know... in the "good" Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Great menu. Delicious food. Friendly staff. Comfortable environment. Wish they had more locations!

    (5)

  • David S.

    One of the most pleasant dining experiences I have ever had. The staff was lovely and timely, and the food was amazing. The limonade was the most refreshing drink I have ever had.

    (5)

  • Sam E.

    Having a vegetarian sister i've been forced to go to manna on quite a few occasions. I have never left there feeling like i just ate a good meal. Its incredibly pricy and the food is sub par. I don't care that it is an all organic everything type restaraunt if the food is bad it shouldnt matter what they don't put in it. I won't go back unless its as a favor for my sister.

    (1)

  • Frank M.

    Not a Vegetarian and I loved the place. They should franchise it. Wasnt any more xpensive then a TGIF but you get quality, healthy, and tasty food. The plates are not your run of the mill vegetarian plates. The plates are geniously put together, this is all coming from a meat eater. I would definitely visit this place again next time I am in Wisconsin.

    (5)

  • stephanie s.

    FABULOUS!! Vegan Heaven... have the homemade Jamaican lentil burger, you'll never go back to a frozen garden burger again!! It's a huge burger on fresh whole grain bread. You can tell the owner, chef, and staff love their jobs and take feeding their customers seriously and only want to give them the freshest most tasty ingredients. The gluten free, vegan and raw dishes are all labeled clearly on the menu and their are plenty of options of each, plus they are super accommodating for substitutions and special orders. Anything to make their customers happy!!

    (5)

  • Lee S.

    The only thing preventing me from giving Cafe Manna another star for the rating was the service. This evening was our first time there. I knew the place closed at 9pm and we arrived just before 8pm. We were greeted by who I assume was one of the owners/managers who was very friendly and seated us. Very impressed with the menu selection, the food was great, but our server, who started out friendly, seemed to get anxious and wanted us out of there by the time she brought over the dessert menu. By now it was about 8.40pm. The place was packed full so we certainly weren't the last table in there hanging on to our spot. She seemed very agitated and hurried as she came over 3 times within a few minutes to see if we made up our mind about dessert. Her attitude made up our mind for us. Skipped dessert, got the bill....all other tables were still full, and after paying I saw her with her coat on departing about 5 minutes after we paid. I certainly understand, it's near closing time, you want to get off your shift, but customer service was lacking on her part and it's not as though we were in a place that serves sloppy 6 dollar entrees. Yes we'll go back for another try, though I do regret not mentioning this to the manager before we left.

    (3)

  • Michelle U.

    I was so happy with our dining experience at Cafe Manna. We loved everything that we ordered and the service was impeccable. For drinks, I had the Limonade, which was refreshing and reminded me a bit of a non-alcoholic mojito. My boyfriend had the Almond Milk, which was yummy. I liked that we got a complimentary mini-order of Cashew-Coconut Hummus with pita crisps and bread. It was very delicious and the only thing that stopped me from requesting a full order was my limited stomach space. For entrees, I got the Jamaican Spiced Lentil Loaf and it was AMAZING. The flavors were perfect and I know that I will be dreaming about it until the next time I go to Cafe Manna. My boyfriend got the Sesame Encrusted Tofu with Asparagus and Sun-dried Tomato Risotto. It was very, very good. If I were using a scale of 1 to 10, I would say that the tofu and risotto was an 8.5 and my lentil loaf was a 10. For dessert, we split the Ginger Macadamia Nut Carrot Cake. It was delightful and it came on a bed of berry puree with a side of whipped cream. If found this to be a surprising choice with a cream cheese-frosted carrot cake, but it went together beautifully. I do not have a single bad thing to say about our dining experience at Cafe Manna. If it were in Milwaukee, I would go there all the time. As it is, it is definitely worth the drive to Brookfield.

    (5)

  • Ruby H.

    No idea why it took us this long to discover this! But thanks to the Milwaukee city tins, we finally made it. Cafe Manna is a cute medium sized establishment with wonderful staff and really fresh dishes! I am sure you can read about their food in the other reviews.. This was our first time here and we were most impressed at the attention to detail they provided us. We called ahead to see if they were open (on a Saturday late-afternoon) and also to see if we could bring our dog. We were told it was totally fine so we headed on over. Upon arriving, we went to the patio area (which was empty at the time since it was 4pm) to find two menus at a table along with a fresh water bowl for our dog! Talk about service! When our server came by, we were informed that it was their Patio Pooch week! It's a week where they encourage their guests to bring their dogs to the restaurant...cause they're family too! :) We were thrilled. They also bake vegan biscuits for the pups too. Our pup really enjoyed her time there, it was such a nice treat! We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Suzan H.

    Not bad for a vegetarian restaurant. The service was good and server was quick to check on me. The peace bowl was delicious but it was a little pricy for what it was.

    (4)

  • Jess S.

    Another one of those places I wanted to like, but it missed mark. Maybe I went in an off day. I got a black bean burger (I believe) and maybe my expectation was too high, but it missed the mark. On top of that, I assumed the server took my Left overs to pack (there was 70% of my food on the plate). And she tossed it. The servers were really nice, and the stir fry I sampled seemed good, but in general it wasn't the best experience. Maybe I'll try it again and hopefully update my review.

    (3)

  • Amara H.

    Hooray for the first one hundred percent vegetarian restaurant in Southeastern Wisconsin. While it was a bit of a drive from the Wauwatosa/Milwaukee area, the ability to enjoy such a diverse menu was well worth it. The interior is open and clean. The service was prompt and friendly, although we went during non-peak hours. Our waitress was always willing to give us valuable suggestions and catered to our needs constantly [which primarily was making the food spicy, with a variety of options/methods]. We were even given a sample of crackers and cashew-based hummus, which was all made in-house. I ordered the Café Manna burger. This burger consisted of a Jamaican jerk lentil patty along with spiced aioli and some basic vegetables. While the ingredients were no doubt fresh and of optimal quality, the flavor was overall lacking. Despite adding avocado and jalapeño, there was not much zing to the flavor profile. These add-ons were rather pricy; the avocado was $1.5 as was a slice of cheese. My friend ordered a noodle soup, which was enormous! Because this restaurant is located in an affluent area, the prices are a bit on the higher end. I look forward to re-visiting to explore the menu further. The restaurant does offer cooking classes and other events that I hope to explore as well.

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    This is the best vegetarian restaurant ever! My meal was as follows: 1. Mixed greens salad with marinated beets, avocado, goat cheese medallions encrusted with crushed walnuts, and dried cranberries. 2. Jackfruit Carnitas with drunken black beans and cilantro brown rice. 3. Coconut cake with avocado lime buttercream. It was my first time having jackfruit and they were kind enough to let me sample the jackfruit soup, which was delicious. They also let guests sample the limonade, if they so choose. Anyway, the carnitas were fabulous. They came wrapped with two corn tortillas, and a nice chunky filling of jackfruit and pico. The beans were also very delicious. I didn't care for the rice, but that is a personal preference for white rice on my part. The salad was fantastic. The walnut-goat cheese medallions made it feel like a gourmet experience, well it was. The dressing was mild and delicious though I can't recall what it was. The cake. Oh god, the coconut cake with lime avocado buttercream frosting. There are no words. You either need to get there fast or pray they bring this special back. The cake was moist and dense and the frosting was a dream. I highly recommend this place for a first date or a fancy lunch. It's a completely green space. Ask them why they are green when you dine here, you will be impressed at how much they do to maintain this status. I wish I lived closer!!! ETA: they served complimentary hummus and chips and the berry iced tea was fabulous as well.

    (5)

  • John J.

    Justin was great! We started with the guacamole potato and it was excellent! I would come back for that alone! My wife had the lettuce wraps and I had the pad thai. Both dishes were great. I highly recommend this place for a healthy lunch.

    (5)

  • Abhishek M.

    This is a vegan spot in a nice strip center in Brookfield. Menu consists of soups, salads, sandwiches and hot entrees such as Pad Thai. We got 2 different salads and the limonade (not lemonade). It had kale and hence the green color. As others have mentioned, it looks weird but tastes great! Our salads were delicious- light, refreshing, very fresh! I will certainly be back to try some other items on the menu. I knocked a star since they don't accept AMEX and the prices seemed high for Brookfield, WI.

    (4)

  • Penelope B.

    This is an absolutely fabulous all-vegetarian restaurant with many vegan, gluten-free, and raw options, all of which are marked on the menu. I asked about soy-free options and was given a marked copy of the menu delineating what was and was not safe for me and our waitress was extremely good with questions. Further, it was easy to get a meal that was vegan and gluten-free, and while eliminating soy cut our options it wasn't a big deal. If you need to avoid soy and gluten, be aware that the gluten-free crackers have soy in them and ask for veggies. We had the guacamole potato skins, the raw tacos, and three kinds of tea. The guacamole here is exceptional and the ancho cashew sour cream is well made. The raw tacos were even better, balanced nicely with the salad, more guacamole, and some chips. The tacos come with a lovely sauce on the side that isn't listed on the menu made with cilantro, lime, and an olive oil infused with hot peppers. The food was surprisingly filling without being sedating in the manner typical of raw food. For tea, we had two kinds of chai and then a very pleasant earl grey. The only downside to Cafe Manna is the location in an upscale strip mall in Brookfield, not the quickest drive from Milwaukee proper but certainly worth an occasional trip.

    (5)

  • Courtney Z.

    Found this gem on Yelp after leaving the zoo and we were left speechless. My fiancé is a carnivore while I am a vegetarian, and this is the first place we've gone together that he has enjoyed just as much as me. We devoured everything on our plates! The recipes are so healthy, unique, creative, and everything tastes so fresh. The atmosphere was peaceful, clean, and the staff was super friendly! Love love love this place!

    (5)

  • Miss R.

    I was traveling alone, and often going to restaurants as a single female is creepy - not the case here! The server was super and friendly, and the food (I had the limonade and the stuffed potatoes) was incredible. Finding good vegan food that is not overly processed can be a challenge, and Mannas was ready to meet and beat it! You can bet I'll be back here :).

    (5)

  • Violet V.

    One of my favorite places to go for lunch. Food has gotten much better and more selections to choose from. I highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Peter C.

    I have only been here once. I mostly eat vegetarian for the year yet go straight vegan for the month of March (don't ask why...I just started it one March and have made it an annual thing). I stopped by here with the girlfriend the other week. When you walk in you are greeted and promptly seated. The place is in a strip mall (albeit, a really nice strip mall) yet when you walk in you loose that sense of a strip mall. You do have to ask for water if you would like. I started off with a Green juice (which was $8, ouch!) yet it was good. The service was slow and seemed like the waitress was a bit overwhelmed with the few tables that were in there. We then proceeded to get the nachos that came out looking like a science experiment gone wrong. They had good flavor yet the eye appeal wasn't there at all - the sauces and other toppings were piped on there and still in their solid tube format. We also got the soup of the day, which was very good. Overall, slower service and decent food. If you're nearby and need a vegetarian option stop by here yet nothing to go out of the way for.

    (3)

  • Noe G.

    This is by far the best cafe in the area for someone that is Vegan. I LOVE this place and I sometimes think if they had a rewards card I will have free meals all the time :P The staff is amazing, they are very friendly every single time I'm there. The food is so fresh and delicious I love from the Miso Noodle soup, Potato skins with avocado, Raw Tacos and OH my favorite Lentil Burger. If you are in the area either you Vegan or Vegetarian or just want to experience the food you have to try this place.

    (5)

  • Clare S.

    Where the Wisco hippies come for nomz. Cafe manna is one of my favorite places in SE Wisco. Their food is so delicious you'd forget it's veggie. Everything is light, but the servings are a decent size so you leave feeling satisfied but not stuffed. The hummus is awesome, the salads are great. I'm a freak fan of the lettuce wraps. Another plus, the staff is on the crunchy side, but they're down to earth and not SO righteous about their healthy and trendy way of eating (coming from a gal who enjoy the occasional all meat meal with a big ol choco shake for dessert)

    (5)

  • Larry C.

    This isn't my first visit to Cafe Mana's. When it comes to vegetarian cuisine, you just can't do better. The staff here is ultra friendly and attentive. The environment is clean and comfortable. It's classy and well appointed, but not so much as to be stuffy and stilted. The food is always fresh, beautifully presented, and so delicious. Go ... you won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Ronna P.

    Great, fresh food. Unique menu and friendly staff. I really enjoyed the Thai rolls and the quesedillas. The tea was amazing as well!

    (4)

  • Lesley W.

    I've been a vegetarian for 17 years, and I'm usually iffy on vegetarian restaurants. But Cafe Manna? Awesome. I'd take my meat-happy friends and family here any time and feel confident that they'll get a meal that satisfies them. Cafe Manna has a simple, laid-back ambiance and a really friendly and helpful staff. They can answer any questions about their food and they take food restrictions/allergies very seriously. And the food? They do a fantastic job of creating tasty, satisfying dishes that balance textures, flavors, and nutrition. The menu has everything from sandwiches to pasta to rice dishes, with influences that range from American to European to Asian, but all with a Cafe Manna spin. During my most recent visit, I tried the sandwich special -- a unique version of the (rather tired) portabella mushroom sandwich. This sandwich was piled high with deliciously flavored mushrooms and a little lighter on the mushrooms and cheese (which I liked), and it came with a vegetarian "au jus" with hints of ginger and soy sauce. I've eaten a lot (A LOT) of mushroom sandwiches -- this is one of the best. My friends must have enjoyed their meals as well -- they were already talking about the next visit before the bill arrived!

    (4)

  • Shawn M.

    Really well done. Love the Carrot Cake. The Jamaican Jerked Burger (I think it's now known as the Cafe Manna Burger) is a really good one too. This restaurant gets a bad rap from my friends for being expensive and being located all the way out in Brookfield. Hey, I agree, but good quality food that leaves you feeling refreshed rather than bogged down afterward is worth it in my book.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    Impress your meat eating friends/lovers with this all around magical dining experience. You for once can leave a restaurant possibly more detoxified than when you entered. The limonade is always a great way to start off a delicious lunch. Sweet, but purely from the ingredients. There are a bunch of interesting raw options to experiment with. We got the raw nachos. Take it for what it's worth and you'll be pleasantly surprised. All around a great experience. What's strange about it though, is that of all places, it's located in a strip mall. Be prepared for that, and you'll be fine.

    (4)

  • Licky Loo G.

    Went 5/17/15 We had soup, salad, the Potato skin app, and dinner and drinks. My bf is not a veg but he wanted to go and enjoyed it as much as me(vegan) great service, its beautiful inside and outside, 2 different choices for outdoor seating. First class place and Christa, our server was awesome. We dont live in WI but we will drive up there just to go there. My 2nd favourite place is Beans and BArley in WI but they are not nearly as nice as the folks at Manna. But BB has good vegan, vegie and non vegie stuff

    (5)

  • Emon D.

    Yesterday was spent treating my parents at Cafe Manna for lunch and it was definitely worth it. With them both living the vegetarian lifestyle, it was a hit. Instead of waiting for them to make up their mind, I went ahead and ordered a cup of lentil soup to calm my stomach from growling. And yes, the soup came out right away and it hit the spot. It was tasty (even though being Indian, I would've preferred a little more spice or 'kick' to it) but that's just me nitpicking. Finally, we were collectively ready to order and I ended up getting their Chipotle Pasta Salad (specialty feature), Peace Bowl for dad, and Fresh Vegetable Stir Fry with Tofu for mom. And I must say (and as I've noticed in my past visits), they don't skimp on quantity! Trust me- you can't ask anybody that knows me, and they will tell you that shoving food in my mouth is something I'm really good at, and I was full.... and with some to spare! And to top that off- presentation, service, and taste were all on par. And all that without meat! If I could eat like this every day, I would have no qualms about going vegetarian or even vegan for the rest of my life. But alas, I am no chef. as always... if you're in Brookfield, or want to try a quality vegetarian place, drop in and give this place a shot. Honestly, I'm not the only one that's giving this place 5 stars, which means it's definitely worth the trip.

    (5)

  • Inderveer G.

    Took my mother and family here for her birthday. Called ahead to make a few special requests such as cake specifics. Please call in advance of 48 hours for the best cake customization and what not. Rather pricey for the average joe. Worth it for the delicious potatoes and charming service. Small, warm and loving meals await~ Raw meals are uncooked btw.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    Great restaurant for vegetarians and meat-eating friends of vegetarians who don't usually eat try vegetarian. The dishes are accessible and made with quality ingredients. Overall wonderful experience and would recommend to family and friends.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    Cafe Manna was everything a vegetarian restaurant that is trying to be true to its mission, but be accessible to the rest of us ominvores should be. It's proof that vegetarian doesn't have to be boring. I attempted to eat here once before on a Saturday night, but the wait was too long. I've had the limonade at a food event before (and it was amazing). I finally ate here for lunch with a die hard vegan who is apparently a regular - they knew her here. It's in Brookfield, and the place is clean and bright. It suits the Brookfield crowd. They bring out crackers and whatever the dip of the day is. If you'd like gluten free crackers, just ask (unless you're my vegan escort, and they just know you want them and bring them out right away). They menu had a number of interesting options that go way above and beyond the average salads and hot legume piles. From spaghetti, to pizza, to pastys, to tacos. There was even a quesadilla. Almost anything can be made vegan, or gluten free, or dairy free, or whatever. As they put it "we pride ourselves on being able to accommodate any food restriction". Good for them. It's a definite niche that others have yet to be able to support. The staff was all very nice, and they not surprisingly have a crowd of regulars, whom they take care to notice and remember. The food we had was all just...ok. You might be thinking, "Katie, you eat Ho-Hos. How could you possibly have anything legitimate to say about real food?" For me, it wasn't lacking any texture, or substance, or meat. It was lacking seasoning. A little salt and pepper goes a long way. I'd like to give it another try and see if the salt and pepper factor was a fluke.

    (3)

  • Raeann D.

    My boyfriend and I ate here and we both loved it. He had a black bean burger, and it was awesome. Way better than ours at home (:. I had the cafe manna burger, it was made of brown lentils. It was amazing, spices were on point.. It was such a great atmosphere, our server was very polite and met all our needs. So nice to be around like minded people. Good vibes and even better food!!!!!

    (5)

  • Kelvin V.

    I didn't spend too much time in Brookfield, but I'm glad I had a chance to come to Cafe Manna. I stopped in for quick lunch during a lunch break on a day long adventure. I successfully completed what I was in Brookfield to do, so that probably biases me in favor of Cafe Manna. I had the lentil soup. The flavor was deep, and the soup was hearty. Cafe Manna gets busy at lunch, even on a weekday, so service was a little slow. The servers do seem like they are passionate about the food, and they take the time to explain the food and drinks that are available. I wish I had more time to have a leisurely lunch and enjoy some other items on the menu.

    (4)

  • Curtis B.

    Best atmosphere of any medium priced healthy restaurant I've been to. The staff is very nice as well.

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    An update is in order. My first review I was comparing Cafe Manna to vegan restaurants in Portland which wasn't entirely fair. And I was kind of a jerk. UPDATE: Ordered - Cashew Hummus, Potato Skins, Pad Thai with brown rice, Chef's Small Bite, Limonade TASTED: The complimentary pita chips with hummus were really great, the Potato Skins which arrive with two are topped with avocado and a hot sauce - like a baked potato on full blast. I chose the Pad Thai (menu description: Thin rice noodles tossed in a sweet & spicy tamarind chili garlic sauce with julienned vegetables, bok choy, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, tofu and egg. Finished with fresh cilantro, lime and toasted cashews). It didn't really deliver the bold taste the menu promises. It's as if the chef "plays it safe" - good but boring. Note: $2 upcharge to add rice or quinoa. I ordered a Limonade (menu description: A nutritious lemonade-style drink made with fresh limes, kale, swiss chard, pear, agave nectar and purified water. This refreshing drink contains live enzymes and a healthy supply of vitamins and minerals for natural energy.) - this lives up to the crafty wording! I finished with a $4 Chef's Small Bit dessert - I chose a chocolate pastry that was fantastic - had me asking "this is vegan?!". POST: I like that Cafe Manna does their vegan thing in the Midwest. I'm not making generalizations but this cuisine isn't the norm here. I've always received friendly service here and the space is comfortable. It's in the suburbs so plenty of free parking (tongue in cheek). My only knock on Cafe Manna is the flavors of the food aren't cranked up enough. I hate comparing things but the vegan/vegetarian places I've dined at on the West coast seemed to coax more flavor out of the humble vegetables they use.

    (4)

  • Bridget G.

    I'm definitely not a vegetarian but I'm all for vegetarian restaurants. The hummus at the start of the meal was delicious. I think it was coconutty or something? But it was great. I got a salad and other than the beets (not blaming them, I just hate beets) it was great. Kudos for having some interesting ingredients. A vegetarian place has to have a good salad. It wasn't out of the park but it was good.

    (3)

  • Lara K.

    The good: - Kale limeade - tart and yummy. A bit too sweet for my taste, though. - Cafe Manna Burger - great vegan burger but it could have been a bit more "cohesive" - Our attentive service. Servers were awesome. - Free parking nearby The meh: - Smell of incense. This makes my husband want to avoid places like this and never return. It burns his eyes and he doesn't want to return for this reason. - Sweet potato skins. I was expecting sweet potato, but got regular potatoes.... The guacamole puree did not really taste much like real guacamole. It was too pureed, mashed up, and contaminated with creamy stuff. I expected it to be more spicy and this dish could have used a lot more flavor. The pico de gallo was weak and bland. - The crackers that they serve with the hummus appetizer are exactly like the store-brought pita chips I used to buy at my local grocery store. Why should I eat store-brought pita chips when I should be eating homemade food at a restaurant? Something like homemade flatbread or whole wheat chips (homemade of course) would be more authentic. I'll have to come back and try more menu items. I want to return since I love vegan food, but my husband hated the smell of incense in this restaurant. It burns his eyes and detracts him from the whole experience.

    (3)

  • Julia R.

    I love Cafe Manna! The service is consistently great and their food is always incredibly fresh and delicious. My favorite dish is the peace bowl, which is a hearty plate of veggies in a coconut curry sauce with quinoa and brown rice. The exotic salad is delicious and great for a lighter meal (especially if you're saving room for dessert) and the savory sandwich is bursting with flavor from the pesto and marinated veggies. They have a great selection of caffeinated and non-caffeinated loose leaf teas. Their dessert menu rotates, and they always have really great regular and vegan options. I am not a big fan of carrot cake, but I love the carrot cake they make here. It has macadamia nuts, ginger, and coconut, which is an incredible combination of flavors. I highly recommend it. I have also tried their veggie broth, which is great on a chilly day. Their wild mushroom crostini was a bit salty, but otherwise extremely flavorful. The interior is very clean and cozy. I highly recommend this place and have never had a bad experience here!

    (5)

  • Lori F.

    Absolutely hands down the best vegetarian food ever! The flavors are AMAZING! Most restaurants have such boring and bland vegetarian dishes. Not this place! Even my carnivore husband thought his good was fantastic and can't wait to go back!!

    (5)

  • John L.

    Beware of cross contamination issues there if you have allergies. Three bites into potato skins and had severe allergy issues - nothing in it, as labeled should have caused the reaction - the server discussed the allergy issues and thought what was ordered, would be safe and she even notified the kitchen of the allergies - it may have been from cross contamination.

    (1)

  • Sarah H.

    OK don't hate me but I am a meat eater. MEAT EATER. That said, Cafe Manna makes eating non-meat dishes interesting. If I ever try to make vegetarian dishes at home they are boring with a capital B. At Cafe Manna, there are SO many choices that you can't really go wrong. I feel like the flavors need to be turned up a notch though. While variety is key, I'd rather find an amazing dish that I want to order over and over again. I have yet to do that here. I've had the burger and the Peace Bowl (also tried the Pad Thai). The Peace Bowl is served with brown rice and quinoa. It combines veggies with a curry sauce. The curry sauce could have used a little je ne sais quoi...a little spice? more curry flavor? cream? While huge, I was starving in a few hours even though I ate the whole dish -- need more protein! Tip: The coffee is served in a cup as large as a pot...just sayin. Also, if the restaurant is not busy, it is very quiet and you can hear everything the other diners are talking about. If it is busy in here, it is way too loud.

    (3)

  • Fancy S.

    Excellent fresh food. The raw nachos were fabulous. If I won the lottery I would hire their chef and eat their yummy food everyday. You do not need to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy this food. It tastes good; that is what matters. The decor is calming and the service was outstanding. Give it a try.

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    Came here for the first time this weekend with 3 friends. Service was slow, rice was super hard in one of our dishes, and seemed overpriced for the amount of food we got. The limonade and strawberry smoothie were good though.

    (2)

  • Mike P.

    I stumbled in quite by accident as I was looking for a good dead cow. Managed not to notice the bamboo floor and cork covered menu. Looked the menu over twice before it dawned on me, no dead cows here. Nothing doing, I'll give it a shot. That was about five years ago and the the first trip turned into several more. That surprised me a bit considering that my idea of a good meal consists of blood sausage and Limburger on rye. Unfortunately, as timed passed the flavors became bland and the dishes morphed from "recognizable but vegetarian" to "what the hell is that?". I'm lunch only so far, so I can't speak to the supper crowd. Service has always been adequate; I think they keep me at arms length because I'm usually wearing hunting clothing. Most recently the food has been just OK, not the memorable meals I had early on. I try to move around on the menu hoping to find the sweet spot but no luck so far. I haven't given up yet and I'll carry my carnivorous bulk back down there for another go at it.

    (4)

  • Tim H.

    So my wife is dairy and gluten free and it comes around once in a blue moon that we can find a restaurant where we don't have to modify the menu to allow her a safe dining experience. This is one of those restaurants. We split an appetizer of potatoe skins and a desert of yriple chocolate cake. We had seperate entrees of veggie quesadillas and an exotic salad. I can safely say all 4 items would be ordered again. our server was awesome. He made recommendations and was patient with us. The only drawback that I can see is that the hostess acted like she had a bug under her nose the entire time my wife and I was there.

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Great for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike! I'm a certified meat eater, but I go here every couple of months and there's never a lack of delicious options for me. The soups are out of this world, and the complimentary hummus and pita chips are delicious every time. Service is prompt, courtious and knowledgeable.

    (5)

  • Justin O.

    This place is an all vegetarian restaurant. I was with co-workers and figured I give it a shot. Regularly, I am not a vegetarian and I like my meats. I was pleasantly surprised as the excellent quality of the foods and variety of menu items. There is plenty of flavors in the dishes served. Though I am not a big vegetarian fan, I would recommend this place for those that are.

    (4)

  • Dawn H.

    Food was amazing and I've always heard great things but I managed to get the one day service was neglectful. I'll definitely go back and hopefully will have a better experience.

    (4)

  • James O.

    Everything is made and done with love. ..rarely, if ever do I go out of my way for a review like this, but everything from the quality to the service was superb. Yes, you get what you pay for. Can't wait to try everything on the menu. Be sure to get a reservation.

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    The menu is amazing. I wanted everything; we eventually decided on the Caprese sandwich, black bean burger, pumpkin soup, chili, carrot cake and apple crumble. All delicious and big portion sizes - almost too big but great value for money. These are the kind of places that should franchise! Oh and Toms products in the super sleek bathroom too.

    (5)

  • Avinash V.

    Not at all kid and family friendly as advertised. The restroom doesnt even have a baby changing station for a place which lists itself as a family friendly place. How could a restaurant in these times not have a changing station? Isnt it part of the public restrooms code to have one if you are a family friendly restaurant? We had 2 kids and one infant with us. We had to change our baby on a table next to us and believe me that was so uncomfortable and unhygienic. The service was very poor as we felt very rushed with each order and the server didnt even pay good attention to our needs and requirements. Food options are gr8 and tasted good but you need a proper environment to enjoy it. I think its more a light lunch place. Not a proper Dinner setting. Make it more a fast food restaurant. Kid Menu is available which is gr8 but just having that doesnt means its a kid friendly restaurant. I didnt felt welcomed. I'm not going back there.

    (1)

  • Amber Z.

    I was really disappointed with my visit to Cafe Manna. My friend read great reviews about the restaurant, so we went in with great expectations and left with a bitter taste in the mouth. I felt like we ordered all the wrong things because almost everything was bland. Together, we ordered the Green Juice, Middle Eastern Stew, Raw Nachos, and Spanakopita. The complimentary hummus was tasteless. I forgot to try the Green Juice, so I won't say anything about it. The Middle Eastern Stew was mediocre - it had plenty of vegetables and beans in it, but I thought it lacked flavor. The Raw Nachos wasn't that great either; the individual components tasted fine, but altogether, the dish lacked flavor. The spanakopita, however, was delicious! What really made this trip a horrible experience was the poor service. Our server checked in on our juice and stew once, but we otherwise didn't get a chance to see or speak to her. She didn't refill our water or remove items from our clutter dinner table. What really upset us was her lack of appearance after serving us our food. We finished our food and waited 40 minutes (40 MINUTES) before we went to the front desk and asked for our check because it was obvious our server wasn't going to come to us. I even started holding my wallet up, hoping she would get the hint that we wanted to leave. It was especially upsetting seeing her attentively serve other tables; there were couples who came in after us and finished eating after us that still left before us. The desserts looked really good, and maybe if our server had popped in sometime after we would have finished our meal, we would've ordered something else. So overall, I found the food mediocre (especially for the price) and the service very, very poor. I'm not sure if I would ever want to come back. I'm really disappointed because the other reviews seemed to love this place, and I wanted to love it too.

    (1)

  • Mighty M.

    Wow, what a discovery! We are from N California, and Cafe Manna is better than any vegetarian restaurant we've experienced back home. There is a chef in the kitchen - the flavors are terrific, with great plate presentations, unique dishes, good portions. Even the starter pita & hummus was spectacular. If we lived in Brookfield, we'd be hitting this place weekly (or more). Bravo Cafe Manna - you definitely are doing it right.

    (5)

  • Heath H.

    I travel for a living and have tried raw food restaurants all over America. This is by far one of the best I have ever been to! You must try the limonade. It's fantastic. Today, I had the raw nachos and the raw Thai rolls. Both of them were amazing! For dessert, I did the raw cheesecake and a chocolate truffle. I even got extra to take home with me. Owners even came out to say hello. So friendly. Please support this amazing business. I want them to be here next time I visit Wisconsin.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Love this place! We go for walks and bring our English bulldog with us as we grab a bite to eat. Sitting outside, Bella is welcomed and given water and dog biscuit. The food has always been wonderful. My favorite are the Thai Rolls. Even though it is a vegetarian/vegan restaurant, my carnivorous hunny loves their black bean burger!

    (5)

  • Heather C.

    I'm not a vegan by choice. I have to be because of health issues, including an allergy to dairy. Living in dairy land can be painful! It's nice to have a restaurant that can cater to me. Yeah, they are expensive. Four of us went here for lunch and it cost 100 bucks. When we walked in the door we were warmly greeted. Our server was so sweet we wanted to kidnap her and take her home with us. She really went out of her way to make us happy and seemed very genuine. The food was pretty good. I like how the menu specifically indicates whether or not it is vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten free. My dining companion was especially appreciative of gluten free options since she has a gluten intolerance. Some of the other reviewers mentioned the "hoity-toity" feel of it all, which made me giggle. I picture Victorian ladies in their lovely Victorian bustle skirts teetering around with their noses in the air. Webster dictionary defines hoity-toity as "marked by an air of assumed importance." We encountered people who wanted to serve us healthy, tasty food that wouldn't make us sick, and if that causes them to have an "air of assumed importance," then it was/is completely justified in my book. My only complaints total two. They are ultra expensive, so we won't be able to go very often. Booo. Secondly, as another reviewer also mentioned, I too would like to see even more vegan options on the menu, cuz for me dairy is scary!

    (4)

  • Jenn R.

    The food and service were excellent. Normally a meat eater, I enjoyed our vegan/raw meal and definitely plan to return in the future. Avocados are in season and nearly all the items we chose had fresh delicious avocado in it. Not sure if this means they stick with a seasonal menu. The weather was excellent so we sat outside, which was peaceful and airy. I am not sure I would enjoy dining inside as much though. I seemed a little cavernous. I didn't try the wine list, but the limeade juice was great..

    (4)

  • Anthony V.

    We just had a meal at Cafe Manna and loved it! The food and service were outstanding. I only wish that they offered iced tea and grass fed burgers. I know they are a vegetarian restaurant, but it is hard to find a Green rated restaurant. The manager came over several times to help deliver food and remove items from our table. They are very customer oriented and care about making sure you enjoy your visit. We will definitely be returning as soon as we are back to the area. If you are looking for a Green rated restaurant, I highly recommend that you give Cafe Manna a try!

    (5)

  • Jeff D.

    For the non-vegetarians who will be dining here... We stopped in around 7:30 on a Friday night and were happy to have gotten a seat after trying a few other places in the area. The look and feel of the place is sort of what you would think for a vegetarian/vegan/gluten free restaurant - real earthy, sort of trendy and chic... For an appetizer we decided on the mushroom bruschetta. Not being vegetarians, we're looking for something familiar, but still bridgeable to this whole vegetarian thing. Anyways, it was delicious - it didn't hurt that we're mushroom sluts though. The menu wasn't your garden-variety bi-fold. Again, new to this, it's hard to sort of narrow down what you want. With typical restaurant menus, you can narrow your choices down to two or three top picks pretty easily. But this is a bit harder because the majority of the dishes are things I hadn't had before. Nonetheless, you can find something that will fill you up and still be enjoyable - though it may take you a few more minutes to find. Feeling adventurous in the uniqueness of our restaurant selection, I order one of their specialty drinks called "green juice." It's a combination of 8 or 10 different vegetables all blended together into a smoothie like drink. It tasted about how you would imagine, but the nutritional value was probably through the roof. For entrees, I got their Café Manna burger (the patty is made from lentils and a few other goodies) and my girlfriend got the Pizzaladina. The burger had a little kick to it which was nice, though I wasn't sold on the texture. The pizza had zucchini, squash, bell peppers, mozzarella, and a sun dried pesto. It tasted like a proper Italian dish to me. I didn't miss the meat at all. We'll very likely be back, but we're going to get different dishes - based purely on how some of the other plates looked as they walked by us. The vegetable stir fry looked crazy good...

    (3)

  • Monika C.

    Loved this place! I was in West Allis for work for two weeks and there were barely any vegetables in site. Most restaurants seemed to think iceberg lettuce and broccoli covered in melted cheese were good enough veggie options. So happy to find Cafe Manna where I could get a nice vegan meal with some green juice. Food was great, lots of variety, server was really nice, easy parking in the strip mall. Next time i'm in town for business I'm totally coming here again!

    (5)

  • Ccwriter V.

    My friend has been trying to get me to this place for a couple of years. She raved about the salads. She had the beet salad which was quite good. I opted for the Asian lettuce wraps. We were satisfied with the portions. The lettuce wraps are hard to share and very messy to eat. I had difficulty manipulating the topping onto the lettuce without losing the ingredients. The place was quite busy and soooo noisy that we had a hard time holding a conversation. Overall, the food was quite good, but I'm giving it three stars mainly for the excessive noise. I had a headache when I left.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    I can't give this place 5 stars for two reasons. 1.) Location. If you're a Milwaukeean, there is just no easy way to get there. Going to dinner during the week is a nightmare coming from downtown. You're essentially doomed to a 30+ minute commute. It's also in a strip mall and for being as elegant and romantic as it is inside, you kind of wish it was stand-alone. 2.) Price. Maybe it's the hippie,cheap vegan in me, and I know the quality of the food warrants it, but the $15+ entree price keeps it out of my regular rotation. Those two negatives aside, this place serves amazing food with excellent service. They take great care of you here. The raw tacos are ridiculously good. If you're a vegan or vegetarian or even just open to not eating meat, you can't go wrong here.

    (4)

  • Isaac S.

    Wow, fantastic food, fantastic service. Everyone in our group was very happy with their food and drinks. I ordered some sort of super juice that was so rich I had to dilute it with some water! For the meal, we split guacamole and pita chips which were very good. The guacamole was definitely house made. I ordered a curry dish that was out of this world perfect. It had the right amount of spice and consistency...fantastic! I wish it wasn't so far away from Milwaukee!

    (5)

  • ABailey J.

    Vegetarian restaurant using organic and fresh ingredients. The Pizzaladina was delicious! French style pizza with a crispy potato crust topped with sun-dried tomato pesto, marinated yellow squash, zucchini, red bell pepper and mozzarella cheese. Finished with fresh spinach Provençal relish. The Grilled Veggie Quesadilla, and the Potato & Vegetable Croquettes were also very good. Everything on the menu is light and healthy. Outdoor seating is not ideal, because it's right next to Brookfield Road. Also, service needs improvement.

    (4)

  • Colin A.

    Though I don't currently identify as a vegetarian, I enjoy the opportunity to dine with my herbivore friends from time to time. Cafe Manna is a solid place to visit if you want to nosh on the healthier, non-meat side of life. The cafe/restaurant is fairly small and was packed on a recent visit, yet we were seated right away (without reservations). Very impressive menu with lots of selections for those who do not eat meat, are vegan, gluten-free, or practicing a raw diet. My dining companions and I tried the mushroom burger ($11), Cornish pasty ($16), antipasto salad ($13) and Mediterranean couscous salad ($14). All were exquisite -- though I didn't let anyone try the couscous because I was busy dominating the kalamata olives, mozzarella, peppers and sundried tomatoes that accompanied this dish. The staff were great -- friendly, welcoming, patient (we had to wait to submit our order as a friend was caught in traffic) and they provided solid recommendations to boot. I had trouble picking an entree but was more than satisfied with the salad. I love that the entire place was built with or supports eco-friendly practices -- you won't find styrofoam carry-out containers here but you will find recycled metal fixtures...a nice touch for sure. It is quite the pricy visit to Cafe Manna...and the drive to Brookfield is a bit much, but if you are looking for an all-vegetarian dining experience, it is definitely worth checking out. I would go back, but as for now the price and drive are a bit much for me.

    (3)

  • Mindy S.

    A specific request to come to Cafe Manna (as my dining mate can't get her husband to go -- and she loves the food) meant that it must be good. She was not wrong! I loved the unique selections for drinks at Cafe Manna. I started with a root vegetable warm broth. It was so lovely -- talk about clean drinking. We were offered homemade hummus, which I believe was made from something other than chickpeas (perhaps cashews?), and it was wonderful. We started with the guac potato skins, and continued with the veggie torte (amazing!) and the black bean and mushroom burger. Both entrées were incredibly filling and we each took half of ours home to eat for a snack later on. I am thrilled to go back to Cafe Manna when I get the chance, and you should try it out. It filled up quickly on a Friday night, so I recommend getting reservations or arriving by 6-6:30pm. I do not think that you will be disappointed with any dish that you get from Cafe Manna!

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    Like I said in another review, I am about as non-vegetarian as they get, seeing as how I help butcher the deer my husband harvests. That said, this place is fantastic. You know it's good food when you don't miss the meat at all. I loved the Manzanilla Salad and the Moroccan soup, as well as the carrot cake for dessert. Great iced tea too. There were several things on the menu I wanted to try, so I look forward to another visit so I can start checking off my list.

    (5)

  • Diane D.

    A friend & I dined at Cafe Manna and the food and service were wonderful! I had the Cafe Manna burger which was served with roasted summer squash. The jerk veganaise made the sandwich; my friend had the roasted corn cakes and was impressed as well. The wine list is very nice and the staff were very willing to accomodate food allergies as well. The prices are quite reasonable for local, seasonal organic dining. I'm looking forward to future dining opportunities.

    (5)

  • Angie O.

    Amazing food for being a vegetarian resturant!! Café Manna is 100% vegetarian and offers many Gluten-Free and Vegan options (they are also the only "Green" restaurant I have ever been to). I'm definitely an omnivore, but am not afraid to try new, different foods. And I am sure glad I did! First, making reservations at Café Manna is incredibly easy using their OpenTable website. I loved that service because I hate talking on the phone. Of course, reservations for a Thursday evening were not necessary but it gave me peace of mind there would be a table for my family's dinner. I also apperciated the menu on their website, so I could research the food prior to visiting the resturant. They start you off with a coconut hummus and cracker platter - super delicious! I had the Limonade drink, it tasted great and re-energized me, and the Tu-No Melt sandwich, which is hard to describe because it did not taste like the "healthy" and "green" sandwich that it was. Upon the first bite, it sent my tastebuds into a state of joyful bliss. It was pretty messy to eat, but it was totally worth it. The sandwich also came with a side of fresh fruit. My mom had the Margherita Pizza, which is very cheesy and super good. Word of advice for those who are not a fan of onions, be sure to ask for "no onions" because they put a pile of raw onions in the middle of the pizza. My grandma and sister both had the beet salad, which I couldn't bring myself to try as I despise beets. They said it was very good, with a light dressing. The salads were very large portions. I will definitely be visiting Café Manna again in the near future to try more of their unique food creations.

    (5)

  • Sadie T.

    This was my second trip to Cafe Manna (first was about a year ago). My first impression upon being greeted by staff is that this place is hoity-toity. AKA, they are better than you. Unless you're a wealthy Brookfield babe and are used to the country club feel. Apparently, reservations are encouraged. We entered at 5pm and every single seat except for 1 was totally empty. We were told many reservations were coming in soon. Okay, fine. So, if you go: make a reservation. The food: was pretty good. I had the Tu-No Sandwich ($12). It was delicious. My mom had the vegetable pasty (AKA calzone) which was $16. Some greenery was needed on the plate. It tasted like veggie shepherd's pie. My boyfriend had the "meatball" sub. This was a cool concept with a terrible execution. The "meatball" part was made of quinoa patties. I like quinoa. However, a little seed that tastes like a grain does not make a suitable faux meat. The issue was texture and taste, the spices were okay but quinoa was the wrong choice. I bet a nice tempeh "meat" ball would have been awesome. We also ordered a dessert to share. We felt very rushed...we were handed the bill along with our dessert forks. Overall: pricey, but unique, dining experience. You wouldn't think a sandwich and salad place would require a reservation, but make one.

    (3)

  • Barbara S.

    I am not gonna lie, I am not vegan, but this place really surprised me! I went there with a friend, and thought I would not like anything, but instead, there was not a thing I didn't like! Very yummy!!!! On the pricey side though!!!

    (4)

  • Wendy P.

    I wanted to like this place; I really did. I waited until my second visit to review it. meh. My mushroom cashew burger was a pile of flavorless mush. I was disappointed with the presentation, as well. My previous meal was so bland, I don't even remember what I ordered. Too bad, I really wanted it to be a favorite.

    (2)

  • Ariel W.

    I've never been to an all vegetarian restaurant before and to have the option of vegan and gluten free on top of it. We loved all the food. The service was friendly and not over bearing. The prices were reasonable with the huge potions and ingredients being grown either organically or using sustainable farming practices whenever possible and local when weather permits.

    (5)

  • Lizzie O.

    Let me start with this: if you're a vegan and traveling through Wisconsin, it's fantastic that this restaurant even exists. I hope this place succeeds and does well. However, I want my fellow yelpers to be prepared - the food is average at best and VERY expensive. Like, holy s**t expensive. The ambiance is great - classy yet cozy, but I just can't justify the price for mediocre food.

    (2)

  • Rachel L.

    Delicious and healthy options with huge portions. We split the cold pho soup which was fresh and unique. Even between the two of us- it was a lot and we took some home. Definitely could be an entree in itself. I had corn cakes with roasted vegetables. Imagine savory cornbread potatoes with a perfect roasted vegetable medley that had just a hint of sweetness. Pretty awesome. My date had the palenta which was not as great- but still good. The environment is casual and friendly. Service was helpful. Only negative was the dessert... we had the fruit tart- next time would stop for fro yo on the way home.

    (5)

  • Michelle V.

    What a gem of a cafe in Brookfield! Stopped here for dinner last week as I really wanted/needed something healthy to eat and Cafe Manna didn't disappoint. I'd even venture to say that it rivals vegetarian/vegan restaurants in San Francisco! My mom loved her lentil soup and raved (and raved and raved) about the raw nachos. You see, my mom has never had raw nachos, so she was completely amazed by the nut cheese and the nut meat. The dehydrated tortilla chips were delicious and the entire dish was fantastic (and easily enough to feed two people as a main dish). In fact, I bet my mom is still telling people about the awesomeness of the raw nachos :) I ordered the raw tacos as my entree -- very tasty! Mom opted for the veggie stir fry but asked to omit the mushrooms which I'm guessing is why the dish seemed a bit bland. I think my mom just needs to learn to like mushrooms :) I also had a yummy green juice! Only giving it four stars as I thought the deserts weren't as good as everything else we had. We ordered the raw cheesecake and the triple chocolate cake -- both were good, but not stellar (the cake was a bit dry). I will definitely be back next time I'm in Wisconsin!

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    Get a reservation for this place! Apparently its needed and pretty much expected at all times. We didn't know this and wandered in last saturday night. We were able to get seated at the counter though, which was fine. Sunny, warm decor with cork and bamboo all over the place. Friendly neighborhoody vibe. Food handled in every way with an eye toward health. For example water is given to you after being soaked in citrus and a little warmer than room temp, which is supposed to aid in digestion. Our waitress was very friendly, attentive, helpful and gave us a few free samples of things. One of them was their limonade - oh my heavens! Soooo fresh and fruity tasting. I could almost feel it energize me. I had the veggie quesadilla and LOVED it. I have experienced disappointing roasted vegetables before, but these veggies maintained their integrity, and the whole dealio was grilled JUST right. Salsa and avocado sour cream were perfect companions, and the portion size was just right. Looking forward to going back.

    (5)

  • Jen Y.

    This place is amazing!!! So many good things to choose from... sandwhiches, salads, soups, unique entrees and wonderful looking desserts! My friend who is not a vegetarian loves the flafel sandwich. Looks great. Another meat eater in my group went w/the baked potato, can't go wrong! I wend w/the sesame tofu w/sundried tomato/asparagus risotto. The presenation of all the plates was very beautiful. So fancy for this cute little cafe! Great selection of teas and juices too. Even the water was outstanding. It was a citrus water (was infused w/lemons and oranges the waitress told us!). Service was very slow.... it was crowed and they were a bit confused (bringing us things that were not ours) but we were in no hurry and this food was worth the wait! Location is a bit far, wish this was in the city! It's way out there in the Sendik's plaza on Brookfield/Capitol Drive. But that Sendik's is the best is town so it's worth the trip, to visit both! They also have take out and their containers are green (made of corn I think). I may try take out as well.

    (5)

  • Ellie B.

    I'm a vegetarian and I was really looking forward to trying this place for the first time. I was really disappointed. In fact my whole group of friends I ate with were also disappointed. They found most of their food to be bland and there was no salt and pepper on the table. The staff were friendly and very pleasant. We waited about ten minutes for them to bring water to everyone. We waited about fifteen minutes with menus closed for them to take our order. It was a busy Saturday evening, but still. My husband and friends were really disappointing that they had no beer that night as they were "having trouble with their supplier." Seriously? No beer? Run to the grocery store and get something then! You can get microbrews almost anyplace in the area. I split a cheese plate with my husband and it was good but I don't think you can go very wrong with cheese in Wisconsin. It came with a watery, bland tomato sauce on the side, a citrus yogurt that was good, and a blueberry compote that was good. I got the Savory Sandwich but felt it was pretty bland. I picked all of the eggplant off because it was unpleasantly chewy and had no flavor. For dessert I tried the Sunshine Torte and it was okay. I thought the size of the cake was ridiculously huge. I would have preferred a smaller slice and a lower price (it was $9). I thought the prices were pretty expensive. I do realize that organic foods are a lot more pricey and I'd pay for that quality if it had flavor. If someone was thinking of going here I'd direct them to Beans and Barley instead. It's not 100% vegetarian but all of their selections are delicious, the service is great, and the prices are cheap.

    (1)

  • Nishan P.

    I ate vegan food! Those who know me are probably shocked by this statement. Yes, it's the same Nishan with a profile pic championing people to save plants by eating more meat. My adventure into the mysterious world of vegetarians was an effort to unclog my arteries after a week of indulging in steaks, burgers, hotdogs and any other unhealthy meats I could get my hands on. As I perused the menu at Café Manna I was hit by a dilemma: I was in the mood for a burger. Of course there were no real burgers available but there were a couple of vegetarian options. I decided to try out the Café Manna Burger, a lentil patty served on a toasted Ciabatta bun accompanied by Chinese long beans. It didn't taste anything like a meat burger. I guess it wasn't meant to. The lentil patty was soft and well flavored with a Jamaican Jerk spiced veganaise. The burger actually tasted really good. On the dessert menu, the chocolate berry tart sounded intriguing. Not only was it vegan but it was also advertised as being raw and gluten free. This rich dessert consisted of a raw chocolate and macadamia nut crust with a dark chocolate filling. It also had a coconut topping and berries. The combination of the coconut topping with the chocolate tart threw me off. I think the two tasted better separately. All in all, I enjoyed my vegetarian meal at Café Manna. As for unclogging my arteries, I am sure that plan would have worked a lot better had I not stuffed myself silly with vegan food.

    (4)

  • Leigh A.

    I have been here twice now. Today the server was super slow and forgetful. The exotic salad I had was good. The pre-meal hummus was good. It was nice to have gluten free crackers with that. They said they changed their whole menu. It looks the same to me though. They do make decent fresh, real food and support the local community. If you go, order a limonade. Delicious!

    (3)

  • Cory Z.

    Cafe Manna was an expensive hoity-toity disappointment. My recommendation is to stay far away. My dining partner likened the food to nursing home food. The food is extremely bland. There's not even salt and pepper on the tables. Plus, don't even think about any spicing in the entrees. Cafeteria food in expensive trappings is probably being nice. They served hummus + crackers. The hummus was tastelessly bland. No hint of garlic, tahini, or lemon just blandness. The crackers were the strongest flavor. My "burger" was so tasteless that I left 3/4 of it on the plate. The only good thing I have to say is that the spag. squash side was well done. The pasty was ok. The pastry was actually cooked to perfection, but the filling was bland, boring, and cut into either elderly or baby sized bits. The dish was good enough to finish at least. The restaurant had nice wood floors and tables. They weren't too close together, so the ambiance (minus the weird potato in dirt picture on the wall) was fine. I've been a vegetarian for well over a decade and this food just stunk. There was a lot of potential and it's disappointing considering how well other restaurants in the area do vegetarian friendly meals. Our order consisted of: 1 beer 1 glass of wine 1 pot pie (pasty) 1 side salad 1 "jerk" lentil burger ------------------------- $50

    (1)

  • John M.

    If you went here only once and it was a good night and the staff was in a good mood it would be 5 stars. I've had this experience once and it was wonderful. I've now been here several times and that experience isn't consistent but I still have high hopes. FOOD - I ordered the same think from one week to the next and it tasted completely different. First time awesome, second time bland, overcooked and kind of disgusting. Even the juice we ordered, so flavorful the first time came out watery and bland the second. I would try it again to see if awesome comes back. The one consistent item is the Peace Bowl but I've found if I eat too much of it I kind of feel sick after and my partner feels the same so if we get it, we always do so with salads or something to break up the heaviness. Also, my favorite items are no longer on the menu, sad. Per the treatment. I don't like to say bad things but we were treated so oddly on our last visit, that alone might keep us away. I asked for a juice without something added that I'm allergic to and instead of doing so, they made a completely different juice (without asking me if I could eat that particular item which I also happened to be allergic to) and when I tried it (luckily I tasted it right away) I asked for it just to be taken out, well, I wasn't met with smiles or an apology. What came out next was bland and awful honestly. Because I've had this same item before and asked for the same thing and the drink came out beautifully, I don't understand. More than anything though, I thought if they are marketing to the raw, vegan, veggie community they would understand a wish to change an item. Especially with all of the gluten-free information. Just left a bad feeling. I do hope to go back sometime but my partner really doesn't so maybe I'll try takeout and see if that goes better. Bottom line, there aren't many restaurants like this locally so if you are looking for vegan, gluten-free, etc. it might work for you. Just go in knowing the experience may be inconsistent. That said, the manager (the only man we saw there but I don't know his name) was hilarious in a good way.

    (4)

  • Matt L.

    Best veg/vegan place in the area. They have different menus by the season and they often change their specials. Great selection of local and organic wines.

    (5)

  • Dana M.

    Many people like this restaurant. I think it is a good "bridge" restaurant if you are a meat eater and don't want to jump in to anything extreme. However, if you are a vegetarian, vegan, etc. and you've been for some time, this place is boring. And overpriced for their boringness. Seriously, fill your purse or pockets with spices to add some flavor to the tasteless food here. The two EXCEPTIONS: Their desserts are really clean and lite, not overly sugary at all. Outstanding. And the tea, I got the chai, was delicious. Will only go there for dessert and tea, otherwise almost any other restaurant will blow this one out of the water as far as flavor and creativity in their vegetarian entree section- especially ethnic ones. This place also lacks ambiance... it definitely is more like a coffee shop. Not a romantic vibe, or warm. The tiger striped bamboo flooring is very cool though.

    (2)

  • Kim S.

    I love Cafe Manna and I will definitely be back to try more items on their menu. Neither my husband or I are vegetarians but we really enjoyed the food here. The service was exceptional. The restaurant is beautiful and spotless. The waitress asked if we would like a sample of their "Limonade", we loved it and ordered a glass. It's a lemonade type drink made with fresh limes, kale, swiss chard, pear, agave nectar and purified water. You'd never guess it had all these healthy ingredients in it. It was only $4 for a nice glass of it. My husband had the Exotic Salad which contained mixed greens, avocado, mango, jicama, tomato, green onion, cucumberand quinoa. The mango-lime vinaigrette complimented it well. I had the Ceasar Salad which was delicious. It had fresh avocado, tomato and parmesan cheese and it was served with grilled parmesan garlic bread. We both loved our salads but next time we will share one salad and one sandwich. So many great items on the menu so we'll have to get back there to try them.

    (5)

  • Pat H.

    First, let me say that I am not a vegetarian. It was my first time at Cafe Manna and I thought the flavors were excellent. I loved the homemade hummus and pita chips that they brought out to the table. I had the Exotic Salad, which consisted of greens, avocado, mango, jicama, tomato, green onions, cucumber with a mango-lime viaigrette. It was awesome. I think it was VERY overpriced though for lunch. $14 for the salad, $4 for the sparkling flavored water, plus tip. Ouch! Not sure I will be going here for lunch again anytime soon.

    (4)

  • Kim O.

    Love the variety of vegan and raw options. Menu changes and stays fresh. About time we had an all vegetarian restaurant in SE WI. Eco-friendly building and take-out containers are added perks. The food never disappoints. The prices are higher than most other places, but the quality is well worth the fee. What is more important than what you put in your body?

    (5)

  • Erik P.

    Great alternative to typical greasy, cheesy mayo laden Wisconsin food. I had a lentil burger, side of roasted potatoes, Izze soda and pita chips w/a hummus like spread. All were really good! You can tell the burger was made by hand, the tomato was ripe and fresh and the bread was hearty. The menu items are a bit spendy but you are paying for the extra care and clean food. The cafe is clean and modern. The staff are well rehearsed in vegetation/vegan and gluten free offerings. I'm not a vegetarian and I liked it!

    (4)

  • Cassandra B.

    Wow! This place is amazing. It's not just good vegetarian food, it's good food PERIOD. I took my hardcore meat-eating uncle here and he absolutely loved it. It's pretty far out, which makes visiting difficult for those on the south/east side of Milwaukee, but it is well worth the hike! The service here is extremely friendly and accommodating and very willing to ask questions to see what's vegan. The portions are huge, the food is great, and the menu is absolutely beautiful, offering full descriptions of each entree, and clearly marking which items are vegan, gluten-free, and raw! I dined with my vegetarian mother and meat-eating uncle, and we all loved the place. We shared the coconut cashew hummus appetizer, which was pretty good but I felt the coconut made it too sweet. It was beautifully displayed and came with a ton of crackers, slices of bread, and veggie slices for dipping. The waitress even brought me some raw flax crackers since she wasn't sure if the pita chips were vegan (turns out they were, but she thought they contained honey). We also had the limonade, which was very refreshing. My uncle ordered the vegan chili, which came in an enormous bowl. I'm a bit of a chili snob, but I thought it was pretty good, and he thought it was wonderful. My mom ordered the Middle-Eastern vegetable stew, which we all thought was outstanding. It had tons of veggies and beans in it, and had a slightly Indian curry sort of flavor. Delish. I ordered the Jamaican-spiced lentil burger with roasted veggies. We all liked the veggie burger, although I would have loved some extra sauce on it. The roasted veggies were fabulous and had much more flavor than I was expecting. I also got a side of wasabi spinach potato salad, which was good, but didn't have a strong wasabi flavor. There were two vegan dessert options, a fruit crisp, and a fig pudding, which wasn't marked as being vegan on the menu, but the waitress assured us it was. I'm glad they offer those, but I'd love to see some vegan cake on the menu.

    (5)

  • Julia G.

    I'm shocked at the low ratings for this place. I've been to vegan places in the past and I was definitely not impressed. This place had a pleasant ambiance, open, clean, and the bathrooms were really nice (silly to mention but bathrooms often give you an idea of how clean a restaurant is). Also, the food was really flavorful, fresh, and the service was healthful and friendly. I ordered the Peace bowl and if you like curry, I definitely recommend it. The crackers and spread they place on your table is also really delicious, give it a try!

    (5)

  • R A.

    I've been here twice and each time the food was enjoyable but bland. It is extremely expensive for plant based foods. I won't be returning.

    (2)

  • Tex T.

    So I wrote a review after I went here for the first time about a year ago, which I believe I deleted because I was unsure about how I felt about certain aspects, and I wanted to go again ahd write a completely new review. So without further adieu, The good: 1. atmosphere. We sat outside on the patio (the one right on Brookfield Road. It was 530 and in complete shade, which prevented us getting baked by the sun (a big drawback of outdoor eating) I am glad I know this for the inevitable 90-degree days coming. The traffic from the road did not bother us (i don't even think I noticed any cars) and they had some nice, quite classical/instrumental music playing which is honestly the best experience I've ever had with music in a restaurant. It Every once and a while, you would noticed it, but then it would blend perfectly into the background. It was elegant and relaxing and peaceful, and it really helps to create a great experience. 2. They seem to have made some improvements to the crackers and hummus they give the table when you first arrive. I found it to be bland and a bad start to a vegetarian meal (especially for people who are skeptical), but it tastes like they adjusted the seasoning and it's definitely more flavorful 3. THE RAW CHEESECAKE- Honestly, this is what made the meal go from 'it was fine' to 'I am already planing my next visit' I cannot adequately describe it, but anyone who thinks that vegan and raw desserts can't be as amazing as their non-vegan counterparts needs to try this, it is so, so, delicious. (and believe me, I ate a respectable amount of cheesecake before my vegan days) I know that I will go back just for this alone- sit on the patio, order a cup of tea and a slice of cake. Perfect way to spend an hour. 4. Sweet Potato Wedges- They came with my burger and they were the best sweet potatoes I have ever had. Perfect size, perfectly crisped on the outside, perfectly fluffy on the inside and perfectly seasoned. 99% of the time when I get something like a sweet potato wedge/fry, I am disappointed, so this is high praise. I even hate them when I make them myself at home. The needs improving: 1. Waitstaff- Our waitress clearly meant well, but she missed the mark. If you work at a restaurant that serves raw food, you shouldn't talk about how you can't make yourself eat raw food, and how if you do eat it, you have to take it home and douse it in hot sauce. If two people at the table have ordered burgers, you shouldn't talk about how you think that the burgers are too mushy. Or telling someone that no one ever orders the salad she has ordered. She said something negative about all four of the entries at the table, and after we left, I was tempted to call them back. I still might. She clearly wasn't a vegetarian, which in Wisconsin, I get that it might be hard to find a 100% vegetarian waitstaff, but at least get people who can get behind what you are doing and who don''t give the impression that they'd rather be eating a steak then serving vegetables. She also kept refilling my drink even though I repeatedly told her I did not want her too. I ended up leaving behind a whole glass of ice tea (delicious though!, earl grey), which bothers me, as I don't like wasting food, and I am sure it would bother the owners as well that she poured that for no reason. The next complaint (I know) was that she didn't know what the dishes were made out of. We asked about the lentil burger and the cheesecake and SHE DIDN'T KNOW. Isn't knowing what you are serving a basic requirement of your job? Finally, in general, her personality was overbearing. You shouldn't have to see your waitress walking over and think 'oh no, what is she going to go on about now?' 2. I get that a vegetarian, let alone vegan and raw restaurant is a big deal for WI, but I really would like more vegan entries on the menu. Some items on the menu that weren't vegan could have easily been made vegan, and it was disappointing to not be able to order some of those dishes. 3. Price- I get that the ingredients and preparation techniques and equipment are all expensive, and I respect that they are in Brookfield where people have lots of money and that they need to make money, but it's just slightly too expensive for my poor I-don't-live- in Brookfield checking account. I also think that it might give some people the impression that eating vegetarian is expensive, when in truth, it's far cheaper than eating meat. I wish they could find a way to put a few less-expensive offerings on the menu. Overall between the two times we have been here, the best dishes have been all raw- raw tacos, raw lasagna and raw cheesecake- probably because they are all quite decadent with nut butters and nut cheeses. For all the skeptical meat eating readers out there- my husband, who is an omnivore, has loved everything he has ordered there- I think he has generally enjoyed his food more than I have, so definitely give it a try.

    (4)

  • Cale W.

    This Place is a standout in the sometimes chain food Wasteland of Brookfield. I've been twice in the past 2 weeks because it is just that good, the specials change daily and they have a Raw dish that changes daily, what other restaurant in Brookfield caters to Raw diets? I had the Oven Roasted Fig salad which was fabulous especially with the side of Soft cheese it came with, i also had the Wasabi Potato salad as a side because it was so delicious last time i ate here. everything arrived quickly and the waitress was quite friendly. I will certainly keep coming back here for lunch, its a great alternative to all the deep fried, char broiled lunch options out here.

    (4)

  • Charmed Life S.

    I saw this place on line and I was very excited to finally see a vegetarian resturant in the Milwaukee area. However, excitement sooned turned to mild dissapointment once I was served my entres. I had their Limonaid drink which not only looked terrible but tasted horrible as well. Haven't they ever heard of one of the fundamental basics of food and drink preparation? That it must not only look good but it has to taste good too!!! They should had been ashamed of themselves serving this. Seriously have they ever tried drinking that concocsion? I doubt it. I also had the garden veggie sandwhich and it was mediocre at best. It was triple layer stacked, which made for a pretty presentation but very awkward to eat. It came with some potatoes on the side that weren't bad. Since I so badly want a vegetarian restaurant to make it in this town, I will go there again one more time, and hopefully next time order something more appealing. I did notice some items on other people's plates that looked good, sooooo I will give it another chance before I completely write the place off. The problem that this place has, is a problem that many NEWBIE type veggie places have and that is that they don't understand that just because food is healthy doesn't mean that it has to taste bad. If a chef really knows what he/she is doing they can make anything taste good. If you as chef don't know how to make a dish taste good even if its vegan then you have no business being a chef.

    (2)

  • Jason M.

    Don't let the crowded restaurant deceive you! This place may be a novelty in milwaukee and for people who have never been to a vegetarian restaurant, one might think it's edible, but for a Californian with a best friend who is a vegetarian, this place struggles to earn one star. To start off, the food was under seasoned, underseasoned, and underseasoned again. Our first course was the soup of the day, sweet potato soup topped with a savory granola, and let me tell you the only savory thing about the dish was the granola. What the soup lacked in flavor it made up for in...well, nothing. Someone should tell the chef that salt is not a meat product! In addition, the vegetables were on a whole, overcooked. It's like going to a steakhouse and getting your steak overcooked. How can a restaurant with this many reccommendations be incapable of cooking their main dishes well. For instance, for main courses, we had the nightly special of fettuccine with broccoli and the broccoli was so overcooked it disintegrated over the pasta with the touch of a fork. It was like babyfood purée on fettuccine. We also had the peace bowl (veg curry bowl). Again the squash was overcooked and the curry flavor had no depth and only tasted of coconut milk. However, we did have the savory sandwhich, which was quite flavorful (finally a dish with the correct seasoning...or atleast I thought) , but as a dish it did not escape the underseasoning or overcooking of the chef, as it came with a side of potatoes that were so bland and overcooked that I mistook them soggy pieces of cardboard. On the upside, they serve up a very good glass of water, delightfully flavored with a slice of what I assume was an organic lemon. Now I do not want to detour anyone from patronizing this establishment, as I am all for supporting your local privately owned businesses, but I just want to caution you so that you will not be dissappointed by the whole experience. Ps. The people who have raved about the limonade, have obviously never had a fresh limonada at any number of restaurants in Los Cabos.

    (1)

  • Matt B.

    We started with "Pepita Guacamole Potato Skins" ($11). The skins were deliciously crispy and filled with a generous portion of guacamole. As potato skins are typically heated through with a little cool sour cream on top, this created a nice contrast between the piping hot skins and the cool filling. The guac was tasty, though not terribly unique or exciting. (I prefer my guacamole with chunks of red onion, tomato or cilantro, whereas this was buttery smooth and homogenous. I was unable to detect the addition of the pepitas.) This was topped with "ancho cashew sour cream," which was incredibly creamy considering it was vegan, with a subtle hint of heat. This was served with fresh pico de gallo, which provided the chunks that were missing in the guacamole. It was a very tasty and creative starter, and it was fun to have potato skins again, which I haven't had in a while (although without the melted cheese, it is in many ways a totally separate dish). For her entrée, my girlfriend ordered the "Savory Sandwich" ($12), which I jokingly described as the two most common token vegetarian options at traditional restaurants combined into one sandwich. It consisted of a marinated portobello and a grilled slice of eggplant with caramelized onions, pesto, and both feta and goat cheese. It was juicy and flavorful. The cheeses and pesto melted together to make a delicious creamy topping, and the mushroom and eggplant combined well together to make a slightly more complex sandwich. Her only critique was that the bread, described as "rosemary olive bread," tasted of neither and was a bit underwhelming. I, as noted above, was utterly unable to choose from the menu, so I asked the waitress for her recommendation. Predictably, the two that she suggested were not any of the ones that I had been debating between, but I decided to honor her expertise regardless. I chose the "Vegetable Torte" ($14), described in the menu as a "savory potato custard filled with grilled seasonal vegetables baked on a crunchy pumpkin seed crust," and was described by our waitress as "quiche-like." It was served in a wedge-shaped slice, indeed resembling a slice of quiche. The filling was somewhat quichey, but the addition of cream cheese made it much creamier and silkier, and the inside texture almost resembled that of a firm spinach artichoke dish. The grilled seasonal vegetables were good, though I imagine the selection of seasonal vegetables would be more exciting in the summer (there were a lot of potatoes, in mine, but what do you expect in February?). The pumpkin seed crust was delicious and added a very nice crunch to the dish, and a nice char flavor. At this point we were both stuffed, but I made the mistake to inquire about the carrot cake, which our waitress suggested might be the best carrot cake I'll ever have. I can't honestly say that it was the best carrot cake I've had, but it was certainly a hot contender for second place. It was nice and moist with plenty of coconut inside and out, and a hint of ginger as well as a deliciously creamy cream cheese frosting. It was served with a drizzle of raspberry sauce, which I'd never seen before, and but was an effective flavor contrast. The slice was enormous, and the two of us together only made it through half, but the other half was still fantastic today. All in all the experience was very pleasurable, with tasty food and a cozy atmosphere. With so many vegetarian things to taste, I'll definitely need to make another trip at some point. As an added bonus, I learned that they host demonstration vegetarian cooking classes, which are incredibly difficult to find, so I look forward to returning for that. Café Manna is a must for any vegetarian, but I can assure you their carnivore friends will love the experience as well. Full review: mattreviewsstuff.com/201…

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    After searching the Waukesha area for "Indian food", I came across Cafe Manna. Even though I'm not sure why it was in the search results, I'm sure glad it was! When I saw it was tagged as "vegetarian" and "vegan" and had many positive reviews, I had to give it a shot! I love trying vegan meals whenever I'm in WI and was so pleased with Cafe Manna! My mom and I checked it out on a Friday afternoon (so happy they were open at 3p) and found it nearly empty. The complimentary starter of black bean hummus with pita chips was pretty flavorless. Fortunately, it only got better. The "Tu-no Melt" had incredible flavor and was accompanied by gorgeously delicious fruit. The "Peace Bowl" was eye-roll fantastic!! The creamy curry vegetables were mixed with the cashews and craisins and surrounded 2 mounds of brown rice and quinoa. I want more! now!! Why not 5 stars? The prices were a bit steep; however, the quality of the food made it worthwhile. When I returned on a Monday around 12:30, it was packed! There were people waiting for tables because we all were enjoying our time together and didn't want to rush ourselves. The staff didn't pressure us either. So nice!

    (4)

  • Becca M.

    To start- I am not a vegetarian by any means- however I love Cafe Manna's approach to food- lots of whole foods and food used in interesting and new ways. My husband and I have been here twice- the first time was on a whim because we had a groupon, and the second time was a return visit. Pros: the food was full of flavor- my husband had the lentil burger and I had the veggie torte which is potato custard mixed with veggies and a pumpkin seed crust. I could have easily eaten two pieces of that torte it was so fantastic. Their menu is constantly changing based on the season- as much as I enjoy having my "favorites" at a particular restaurant, I get excited about new ideas and trying new things. Cons: Both visits encountered poor service- I don't know if they were understaffed or what, but if their food wasn't so good I'd skip going there on that account alone. It wasn't even that the waiter was inattentive (which they actually were both times) ... it was more that both waiters were strangely... awkward. Clearly the pros outweigh the cons because I'm always looking for a reason to return... now if it were only located in milwaukee and not in the middle of suburbia...

    (4)

  • Lauryn M.

    LOVE! I am a vegetarian, so the idea of an all veggie menu was very appealing from the start. The fact that it's about 2 minutes from my house helps too :) Tried this place with a family member who had a coupon, and was so pleased with everything. The Wild Mushroom Cheese Puffs appetizer is to DIE for!! I ordered the calzone for my meal and was in heaven. Portion sizes are very generous, so expect to leave full. The place is kind of small, but the staff are friendly and helpful so your experience will definately be positive! I cannot wait to go back! :)

    (5)

  • Anastasia B.

    I have been going to Cafe Manna since they first opened, and it just keeps getting better. I know all about restaurants, and let me tell you, if you have O.C.D., you are going to *love* Cafe Manna! Order the Chocolate Napoleon for dessert! Order tea too... any kind will be excellent. Even my non-vegetarian friends love it when I take them here.

    (4)

  • Jon A.

    We had received a very generous gift card to Café Manna this summer and finally had a chance to use it. All I can say is that we were underwhelmed, at best. I like the restaurant's idea and mission, but the execution of the food just isn't there. We went on Friday night and could only get reservations at 8pm. No big deal, since we figured the place wouldn't be as busy at that time. We were correct in that the place was only about half full and most people were already done eating. That didn't mean they were going to leave, though. Oh no, my friend. Those people lingered worse than your average coffee shop denizens. We were seated near the back of the restaurant right next to a party of 9 people who were also a done eating. This is where the problems started. The acoustics at this restaurant are really poor. So poor that it makes you feel like you have to yell just to talk to the person sitting across from you. As a result this whole restaurant sounded more like a loud bar. Onto the food. We ordered a bottle of wine, and some Spanakopita for apps. I opted for the Falafel and my wife got the raw tacos. The spanakopita was quite good and was the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, we weren't able to fully enjoy them because they rushed our entrees out to us before we were even finished eating them. The restaurant manager brought out the food and said something like, "Oh sorry, I want to serve it while it's still hot". Um, dude...my wife got raw tacos and I got falafel that was supposed to be hot, but wasn't. You could tell that they took the mix out of the fridge, formed it and slapped it on a grill for maybe 30 seconds. It was slightly brown on one side and still really cold in the middle. And I really wouldn't have minded one bit had the falafel been tasty. But it was just plain bland. It tasted just like my first attempt at making falafel at home; no flavor at all and poorly cooked. To top it off, the citrus tahini that came with it was bitter beyond belief. I just couldn't eat it. The salad that accompanied each dish was nice, but contained about teaspoon of oil. I'm not your typical American who demands a tub o' ranch with every salad, but I do like just a small amount of vinegar. This salad was pretty much naked. I had heard the desserts here are good, but by the time we finished our entrees, the tables of other people were so loud that we just had to leave. My suggestion to the management would be to hang up some more paintings or even drapes that could absorb some of the sound bouncing around. I really wanted to enjoy this place, but the food just isn't there. I do like eating vegetarian and vegan dishes, but there has to be something that makes them stand out, like strong flavors. Almost everything was bland as if it were meant for consumption by the elderly. We still have about $40 left on our gift card, but sadly I don't see us really wanting to make the trip all the way out there again. I just kept getting the feeling that if you're new to veggie-friendly cuisine then this place will probably not impress, mostly because of the blandness of the food. And this has the potential to leave a person feeling cemented in the belief that vegetarians are just victims of some ill-adjusted following. Unfortunately on the flip side, if you're used to vegetarian and vegan food then the offerings will seem boring for their price point, especially compared to the other offerings of restaurants that are non-veggie exclusive. Sorry, Café Manna. You just didn't thrill me like I thought you would.

    (2)

  • Mandi L.

    Café Manna is self-described as "one of the first 100% vegetarian restaurants in Southeastern Wisconsin." Located on Brookfield Road just south of Capitol Drive in Brookfield, WI, this restaurant can go unnoticed in the small cluster of surrounding strip malls, but is worth the trip. The first impression upon entering the café is a cross between the minimalistic Asian décor of a small, sit-down sushi restaurant and the neutral tones and café-like atmosphere of a more trendy, sandwich-and-coffee chain. Not only is Café Manna animal-friendly, offering an entire menu of meatless dishes - a rarity any vegan or vegetarian would appreciate, but they also offer gluten-free options and will try to make substitutions to accommodate any diet. They boast use of organic and sustainably farmed products, and try to use locally produced ingredients whenever possible. Their environmentally-friendly consciousness extends to their décor as well, which includes bamboo flooring, counters made from recycled paper, and recycled metal light fixtures. They were the first to recently be named a "Certified Green Restaurant" in the state of Wisconsin. Price points for their food run from an affordable $9 to one of their priciest items, the Peace Bowl, at a cool $17. It's so delicious you won't notice the bill. I haven't tried anything I didn't like, and highly recommend - in addition to the Peace Bowl - Thai Lime Noodles, Hearty Mushroom Burger, and their absolutely sinful hot chocolate. They're open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and are closed on Sunday. Even the most loyal carnivore will be pleasantly surprised with Café Manna's creative meals. It's refreshing to finally get a restaurant meal not smothered in butter/grease or hiding behind a mountain of salt. Retrain your taste buds to appreciate delicate flavors and surprising spices.

    (4)

  • Kalvin D.

    Great vegetarian cuisine. The tacos are phenomenal!

    (4)

  • Trey M.

    SUPER fancy Yet, not that pricey Lots of cool options and phenomenal service. Take a date here

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    The staff are very friendly, and the food that I have had so far, I've enjoyed and was happy to find vegetarian/vegan food something I could actually eat! My favorite item on the menu is actually the carrot cake. (I'm a huge fan of carrot cake, in which case I'm very picky about it) The cake was moist, a very decently sized slice, topped with a few berries, an orange slice,(which made it refreshing) cream cheese frosting (which carrot cake must have that!) and crystalized ginger on top along with some blackberry sauce drizzled on the side with whipped cream. The price has gone up about .75 cents-$1.00 since when I first tried it about a year ago..and hopefully wont go up any more. I've also tried the jamaican jerk sandwhich which was tasty, well seasoned and nicely done on rye bread. (the veggies on the side thou were pretty oily. The pizza there is also wonderful I thought. Wide variety of toppings to choose from, decent amount of pizza you get, and a nice thin, crisp crust.

    (4)

  • Nessie V.

    Ok, this is basically overpriced vegetarian food for non-vegetarians. I want to support vegetarian restaurants, but I don't really have much of a desire to go back here. To me it was just kind of boring. And I know many restaurants are in strip malls, but they don't have to look like it on the inside. Especially for what I'm paying.

    (2)

  • Melissa S.

    This place is all right. I enjoy the idea behind it, as I am a vegetarian. You are given a pita chip/ hummus starter. That is really good. The potato skins are good, really good, but you get two and $ 11 is too much for that. I got the garden salad sandwhich which was tasty and allowed all of the vegetables to show off their natural flavor. The sandwhich is tiny, each half is smaller than a fist. It is also stacked funny and I had a hard time figuring out how to eat it without disturbing the peace. For a drink, I tried the Limonade, and it made me feel like a rockstar. I also loved that when it was all said and eaten, I felt good full. Healthy full. I will probably go back.

    (3)

  • Anandamaya K.

    overpriced, hit and miss on flavor...sometimes I love it and sometimes I don't go back for a long time. wishing we had more options for vegetarian in Milwaukee.

    (3)

  • Kimberly G.

    I would like to give this place a good review because it is all vegetarian but because of the prices I can't. We went the first time to try the new raw food items that they are now offering on their menu. I have to say - it was very boring and not really "raw food". The dishes were sort of like leftover veggie pieces from making salads or other dishes. We had Vegan Pecan Pate: a bunch of red and yellow pepper pieces with dryish pecan spread on them plus random "salsa" in the middle ( it was a bowl of chopped up tomato pieces: why didn't they blend it???) and dehydrated veggie-chips that were in desperate need of being marinated or seasoned to give them some flavor. $9 for this. We also had the Crunchy Nutty Sandwich which was OK not much flavor mostly filled with sprouts- the almond bread was kind of heavy and the Mushroom Extraordinaire - the marinated mushrooms were the most flavorful thing I had tasted there. $12 and $16 for those. We also had a Potassium Broth which is an odd soup tasting drink but served in a mug (it really just seems like soup but is advertised as a drink) and the Limonade (which was good but they left 2/3 of the glass empty). I guess I am bit harsher critic because I used to make gourmet raw food for people and I have eaten at some of the best raw restaurants in the country but for the prices they were charging - this was BAD raw food. Not to mention, this Wisconsin, not California - Those are Cali raw food prices. These dishes were way overpriced for what they were - mostly leftover vegetable pieces with spreads on them or dehydrated. I felt really gyped when the bill came. I am glad I didn't decide to try the raw desert. I was surprised that the very skimpy dessert selection (the drinks selection was pretty minimal too) For those of you trying raw food for the first time - do not judge it by this place. Raw food can be WAY better than this. My guess is that this is a "first time" try for raw food dishes for this places. They definately need more practice. We peeked at what others were having and the portions were not good for the prices. Sucks too because I was looking forward to having another veggie place to go to - esp one with raw food. I will just make my own for 1/8 of the price.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    Went there because we purchased a groupon for it. Will definitely head back. The chef's risotto of the day was parmesan and broccoli. It was really good, not too dense or heavy. I also had a limonade with it, and it was very tasty. My wife had the savory sandwich, which had grilled eggplant and portobello mushrooms and was really impressed by it.

    (4)

  • Stephanie L.

    I am a closet vegetarian. I say that because I eat veggie 99% of the time with an occasional chicken breast or a sushi roll. But, Cafe Manna makes me wish I was a full-blown vegetarian. You sometimes forget the possibilities and variety of dishes that can come out of transforming vegetables. On my lunch visit, I first enjoyed the complimentary pita chips and hummus. I wish I could remember the dip ingredients, because this was not your run-of-the-mill hummus. Very tasty. My beverage was citrus water and "Green Juice." The juice was a pop of Spring; it smelled like freshly mowed grass. It had a smooth aftertaste, and tasted nothing like newly cut blades. You could actually taste the different veggies that made up the ingredients. The magic word in the juice's description was "detox." It made me feel like I was doing my body good. I continued along those lines with the raw tacos. A-MAZING!!! Yum. Yum. Yum. The chips were nothing like I have ever had, and I would highly recommend adding them as an appetizer plate with the homemade guacamole (also wonderfully delicious). The nut "meat" in the taco shells (and the shells themselves) was delish. Who says that meat is the only tasty and filling ingredient? Often times, I feel more satisfied after a vegetable entree. My fellow diner chose a Riesling that was crisp and had notes of what tasted like plum. Mmm. She dined on the "Peace Bowl," but she noted that the dish could have been spicier. Perhaps, there could be a heat index from which diners could choose the curry temp. Cafe Manna indeed serves food from Heaven. It is worthy of the Gods. If I ate from Manna's clean menu on a regular basis, I think I would feel more like one.

    (4)

  • Amanda B.

    Excellent, healthy food! I am not a vegetarian (I eat poultry and fish), but am always looking for good vegetarian options as I get tired of chicken dishes. I loved the potato custard bake that I had, and the service was outstanding as well. One of my new favorites.

    (5)

  • Mars L.

    I found this place one day while looking for new places to eat in the Milwaukee area. I am a vegetarian so was really excited to find this, as well as curious about what would be on the menu in a vegan restaurant...There is a website so you can check out the menu and the hours. I was also excited to see that it's located in Brookfield and not downtown Milwaukee. The inside looks like a little cafe, and the menu was seemingly unlimited...Usualy when I'm at a restaurant I scan the menu for 20 minutes and then end up customizing my order. Here there were so many things I wanted to try that it took me almost that long to choose! There aren't as many drink options as expected, but the hummus and pita chips (instead of bread) was so great that I didn't care. The people who worked there were patient, quick, and really friendly. I plan to go back soon and definitely recommend this restaurant to vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters. ^_^

    (4)

  • Chris D.

    I was so thrilled to find a wonderful vegetarian restaurant near my best friend's home in Brookfield. I had the vegetable torte - a potato custard filled with grilled seasonal vegetables baked on a pumpkin seed crust. I've never had a similar dish, and it was wonderful. I can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • Carly F.

    this place is great. the food is delicious. i have made the trek from the east side many times. wish they had another location near the lake. great options for those gluten free, vegetarians, vegans and Raw peeps. it'll make your veggie hating friends hang there heads in shame after they try these wonderful dishes. i have never been disappointed here. I love their "mushroom burger" , the guacamole/ walnut potato skins, the lentil soup is yummy, and they have this green kale lemonade drink that i like. they also have cooking classes about once a month. the clientel in here is a weird mix. (and it is in a sort of strip mall. which i am usually put off by.) sometimes it is the Lake Country ladies who lunch combined with SouthWestern/ Santa Fe/ Native American Blanket Jacket wearing hippies. other times there appear to be couples on dates or like minded friends catching dinner before a movie. i've worn yoga pants here on more than one occasion and felt right at home. the ambiance is pleasant, if a bit bland. there should be some music playing so you don't have to hear your possibly bizzare neighbors distracting conversations. or maybe i just have really good hearing and should tune it out. either way, there's a bit of room for improvement when it comes to the vibe. give it a try.

    (4)

  • Sara B.

    Wow! What a refreshing restaurant here in WI. I am not really sure what the two people below were talking about when they wrote their bad reviews. I'm from California and believe me these are not California prices! I think the food was fresh, the staff was well informed (and asked the chef when they were not sure), and there was an excellent selection for someone who is challened daily with food allergies. The prices are reasonable. If you want good food, you have to pay more so you can support the farmers, etc. You can't expect WalMart prices for quality organic food Anyone who doesn't like this place, doesn't know what good food is! Come on America, smarten up and get healthy already! Fried cheese is not food. Anyway, enough about that. If you're in Brookfield you should eat here! This is the best food I found (and I'm sure it's the best in the entire state). Kudos to the owners! I hope your business succeeds and the people of Brookfield benefit from the healthy food choices you offer!

    (5)

  • Laura F.

    I'm not a vegetarian but I'm the sort of person who doesn't eat meat every day, or even every other day. I cook and enjoy lots of vegetarian foods, so I was totally up for trying Manna recently with a friend who is a vegetarian. My first impression was that I really liked the atmosphere. Besides the smallish tables for two, which we discovered while eating, they have made great, apparently eco-friendly decor choices. They've done a very nice job, as have many of the shops in the Sendik's plaza or whatever it is called, creating a unique space in a contrived strip-mall development. The service was friendly and prompt, and it's always nice to have a free appetizer (hummus and assorted pita chips and crackers). We tried both the soup of the day, a mushroom asparagus concoction, and the lentil soup on the menu. The lentil soup was hearty and flavorful, my friend liked the mushroom one as well. I ordered an eggplant and tofu sandwich, and my friend had one of the it tofu entrees, basically a seared tofu steak served with risotto and asparagus. Presentation is really nice here, especially on some of the salads we say other people eating. My sandwich was good, but frankly, missing a bit of flavor. I felt like I could make a better sandwich at home with the same basic ingredients, so that was a little disappointing. I tried my friend's food and it was good. Overall, I would definitely go back there. I have read nothing but nice reviews, so despite my not adoring my food, the atmosphere, nice service and what I thought were pretty reasonable prices still impressed me. I agree that a spot like this in Milwaukee, particularly in Bayview, would go over really well.

    (4)

  • Mick R.

    Great wait staff and delicious food.

    (5)

  • Auden R.

    awesome desserts - - - if you are a "raw food" enthusiast, you will be hard pressed to find a better raw-vegan cheesecake selection... kind of pricey, but definately worth it.

    (5)

  • JANET F.

    Just did not like the food there. Sandwich was barely edible. Was so dense, it was like eating cardboard.

    (1)

  • Kathryn C.

    We are fans of vegan, vegetarian and raw foods - and were excited to try Cafe Manna. We are sad to not be so excited after having visited... We had beverages, soup, and two different sandwiches. Other than my beverage (a tasty juice concoction called Limonade) the food was extremely bland. Poorly seasoned, plated with only so-so eye appeal, and served with a touch of boredom. This food had absolutely no passion to it. My "Crunchy Nutty" Sandwich was wet and chewy. The vegetable chips served with it were limp and slightly stale tasting. The vegetable slaw was pleasant, slightly oily. My partner had the lentil burger; big, bready, mushy, and under-seasoned. It came with a side of sauteed green beans that were tasty, if an odd accompaniment. Summation - The base ingredients seemed fresh, but in application the flavors and textures were absolutely lackluster.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Cafe Manna

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