The Vita Cafe

07/22/09

Try the Salmon Cakes!

by ilovevita at Citysearch

I love the Vita Cafe (across the street from its old location). It's got a little bit of everything - and you can't help but enjoy the cool decor. I would recommend this place for all ages. There's a toy box and high chairs for kids. There's a bar for adults. And the menu suits everyone. Try the salmon cakes - they're delicious! I'll definitely be going back to the Vita Cafe.

• Pros: A little bit of everything!
• Cons: None.

03/08/09

Extremely Vegan Centric

by supervegan at Citysearch

I have to rise up and give praise to the Vita Cafe. I am a vegan through and through... the Vita's menu has so many vegan options from the choice of tofu or tempeh with each breakfast entree, to the sietan cheese steak sandwhich witha vegan cheese option..to sweet pea vegan cheese cake OMG... or try the vegan nachos or the vegan mac and cheese.. oh I almost forgot the super grain salad or the daily vegan soup. Must I go on.. i love the many many options for me to eat..

Yes the story below is a bummer... but when I talked to the Vita about the situation.. they were so extremely sorry and explained that the menu does't state that it is vegan sausge.. and servers (most of whom are vegan) are very aware of the what is and is not.. so ask ask ask..if you are concerned. Vegans not to worry, the Vita has your back.. .

• Pros: most vegan choices any where

12/05/08

Go for the atmosphere and the Seitan Cheese Steak

by mjpdx77 at Citysearch

Frankly, I'm surprised about some of the reviews I've seen on here. The Vita Cafe offers a delightful, casual diner-type atmosphere with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. My favorite is the Seitan Cheese Steak, which is served hot off the grill and is better than any of the Philly Cheese Steaks I had back in my meat-eating days. The great thing about Vita is that even though there is some healthy fare on the menu, they don't try to fill you up with a bunch of colon-blowing superfoods designed to "cleanse" and "purify." It's real food for real people who don't eat meat. Not all of the options are healthy, and why should they be? That's half the fun of going to a restaurant.

• Pros: Diner atmosphere, location

11/24/08

What the lady before is not telling you

by oihop at Citysearch

This is coming from an almost 5 year customer of the vita is that she is one of those ubranite as@#oles that goes to the alberta district to a diner when its rush hour and is upset that her server is trying to balance all of her customers. what you are feeling lady is the blue collar thats arround your waitress's neck. and if you havent eaten in portland before you would find out the "manifesto" is at almost every resteraunt here. drop your pretencious bullsh!t and just admit your a snobby b!tch whos husband exploits people so you can feel good about your high end vegan resteraunts you normally eat in compared to a good and honest diner style food.

Come eat at the vita the people there are very gret, they take great care with your food, everyone hustles good and fast to get things out to you, and above all els that place has so much love it developed customer loyalty to the point i had to write what i put up there.

• Pros: good people great smile and very kid friendly
• Cons: long wait whn it get busy

11/04/08

Wow what a deal- love this place

by PORTLANDMA at Citysearch

I love the Vita. It is an 'ol stand by for us. Where else can I get a good, simple meal for an excellent price. Really nothing on the menu is over $11 bucks. The portions are big too. No its not high end dinning and the staff is definetly the creative type. But each time I'm welcomed into the restaurant, and we enjoy a good warm meal. We're not total vegetarians but we're trying to eat less meat. The Vita has so many different options - the cheese steak made with seitan is the best, the thai pasta, and we love the buffalo tofu wrap. Never mind the salads like the quinoa salad is just yummy. I'm saddened to read some of the cranky customer reviews below. I'm telling you it's just not the Vita - we're there a least once a week.

• Pros: Great local place
• Cons: busy on weekend brunch :(

02/12/08

Best Vegetarian Burger Anywhere

by michellebeth at Citysearch

Their veggie burger is fantastic! For all those who want to give up beef, but aren't sure, this is the place for you. My boyfriend is not a vegetarian (I am) and he has not liked one single veggie burger we've tried anywhere (frozen and in restaurants), but he was floored by his Chili Burger. I had the Mushroom and Onion Burger. Excellent and affordable. We both had burgers, fries, and tea for $20. It wouldn've been cheaper but we added extras. Lots of choices on the menu and we'll definitely be back.

• Pros: cool eclectic ambiance, service, price, food quality

01/19/08

Yummy neighborhood spot

by tastytreat234 at Citysearch

Here's the deal with the Vita. It's a casual cafe that has the best selection of vegan and vegetarian comfort food around - breakfast, lunch and dinner. If your a meat eater, don't freak. try some of the vegan delights or if you must have a real free range burger, some spicey salmon cakes or add some shrimp to your salad. More like a diner, the service can be slow and sometimes frustrating but that's ok. Just keep my cup of joe full and I'll gladly wait.

It's a cool place that is not pretentious or trying to be something contrived. The Vita serves up tasty, wholesome food for a fair price. Large portions too...

• Pros: wholesome cafe food

04/16/07

decent

by noelman at Citysearch

I like the Vita Cafe. The review that says to order something you won't make at home is right on. I go to this place if I'm craving some sort of vegetarian junk food- Reuben or mashers and gravy. Service has always been average, but not outstanding or bad.

• Pros: relatively cheap, good veg and vegan food

03/03/07

Love it, Love it, Love it

by momofthree456 at Citysearch

We love the Vita. It's a great place for a family, very mellow, unpretentious, and we always get good service. I love the sippy cups for my kiddos, and the seasonal and low cost menu.

• Pros: good for kids, happy staff, great menu
• Cons: can be busy

02/13/07

Great time, atmostphere, and food

by sillysue23 at Citysearch

We had a fantastic dinner here. I loved the lemon thyme risotto fritters and the spicy tempeh sticks. My friend tried the quinoa salad with ginger carrot dressing and I had the sietan cheese steak. We also tried the sundried tomatoe polenta with roasted vegetables. I was impressed by the amount of organic ingredients on the menu and the affordability. We also enjoyed a few cocktails and dessert- the cheese cake was to die for. I found the service helpful, simple and friendly. We had a great evening and plan to come back over and over again.

• Pros: Big menu, lots of vegan choices