• Moon and River Cafe

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  • White Veg-options
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
American
Fast food
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Coffeehouse with a menu that's vegetarian friendly. Has tempeh and tofu dishes, sandwiches, and salads. Vegans to specify. Events on many nights. Open Mon-Sun 9:00am-9:00pm.


Venue map for Moon and River Cafe
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12 Reviews

First Review by luv2fly5em

TRothbell

Points +30

Vegan
28 Dec 2023

OK Food

The food was OK, but just like the other reviews say, it's just one guy making everything himself. It's like home food, but not what you would think of as "home-cooked meals." It was more like what an average person would cook for themselves on an average night.

Pros: The owner was very nice and friendly. , They offer a lot of vegan options. , The restaurant wasn't dirty.

Cons: The food was not restaurant-quality. , The food seemed thrown-together. , The meal components were not home-made.

TheVeganPigeonXVX

Points +505

Vegan
26 Jul 2023

Like microwaved vaygun food made by your grandparent

This place has always been strange. All of the food tastes like something made very quickly at home… because it basically is. With the creaky floors, hoarder decor and ambiance, and small size, it very much feels like being at an old relative’s home for an awkward lunch. Richard is oftentimes the only employee, and you will be no more than eight feet away from him as he toasts and microwaves your food. There have plenty of times I’ve gone there and no one was inside, not even him.

In my opinion, as much as this place has secured itself as a Schenectady staple, it isn’t worth paying for food at anymore. Maybe it was in 2008 when I first went vegan and there weren’t any other explicitly vegetarian options anywhere downtown, but I can make a tofu and avocado sandwich with Vegenaise on toasted white bread at home just as quickly and for much cheaper.

Updated from previous review on 2023-07-26

tfish

Points +2458

Vegan
24 Mar 2023

The most unique restaurant in the region

Feels like eating in someone’s house. Live music for the couple people who were there, seemed very friendly. Enormous menu of small, tasty, very inexpensive portions. No idea how they can make enough food for more than a table or two at a time

Larry74

Points +169

Vegan
24 Jan 2022

Great little cafe

Richard has a great selection for such a little spot. I lived in Schenectady for at least 10 years and this was my favorite spot for a bite, coffee and good conversation.
Can't recommend it enough!
Not fancy, nothing earth shattering, just an easy atmosphere with quality

Pros: Good vegan options, Friendly service, Good atmosphere

kbw5044

Points +1236

Vegan
29 Sep 2021

Relaxed atmosphere

Very friendly man who cooks for you on the spot. It has a great homemade feel.

Fjroberts7

Points +33

Vegan
11 Sep 2018

Grandpa Living Room

Very small store front location with 1 elderly owner employee. Good food but felt awkward that we were only customers. Cash only street parking with pay meters. Lots of history stacked about the store.

Pros: Low cost

Cons: Awkward feeling in a cluttered old place, Only customer in place, Only 3 tables

nlevine94

Points +854

Vegan
11 Nov 2017

A VERY unique dining experience, so be prepared!

Extremely thrilled with my experience at Moon and River Cafe.

This isn't your traditional restaurant, so please don't come in with that expectation. Food is made from scratch, very slowly, and they only accept cash. It's a step back in time in many ways, but especially in the lack of pressure to eat quick, pay, and get out. You can spend hours in here if you wanted to. I certainly would, but I know that's not everyone's cup of tea.

The decor is a little (read: a LOT) unique. It feels like a living room, looks like a living room, and probably was an actual living room at one point in time. That's because the owner can do whatever he wants with the place, and if he was books lining the walls, and pictures and signs from years ago on the wall, he can do that!

The owner, whose name i sadly have forgotten, introduced himself at the end of the meal. I just so happen to stumble in on an evening with live music so i enjoyed sing along 80's hits, alongside my vegan enchilada (with a wonderful salsa verde), serves with a slice of melon, and a cranberry orange bread for dessert. Was very pleased with the food and with the music, though I knew one song only.

Overall, I have nothing to complain about. I see many other reviews picking apart Moon and River for bad service, decor, food, whatever. This is a unique restaurant where you are guaranteed to walk away with a unique experience every single time. Take that for what you will.

Best to the owner on continuing to expand the community surrounding this place!

Pros: Quaint and Unique, Great Menu, Live Music (sometimes)

Cons: Not your normal restaurant, so don't expect that

518Vegan

Points +16

Vegan
18 Aug 2017

Great Place To Eat

Amazing selection of Vegan and vegetarian food. The man who owns the café was incredibly nice and before I even sat down, asked if I was vegan or vegetarian. He gave me a lot of great recommendations and was very accommodating.
Very friendly environment, great food, and must hit spot for any vegan/vegetarian living in or visiting the capital region.
Also be sure to check out their new place, Arthur's Market.

Pros: Friendly Environment, Accommodating Staff , Great Food

Cons: None

danielmillr

Points +42

Vegan
19 Mar 2016

Quiet Vegan Joint

This was a gift from the lack of Albany options. Moon and River is located in the historic district of Schenectady. We were lucky to spend relaxing time with Arthur, the owner of twelve years. He prepared a delicious vegan chicken pomodoro and vegan gyro. WHATEVER YOU DO, GET THE CAKE!!! It was a great find and highly recommended. We're even considering going back for breakfast even though it's out of the way.

Pros: many plate options, comfortable and quiet environment, Arthur

Cons: no wifi

beingpeggy

Points +75

Vegan
25 Mar 2012

great little cafe

My husband and I enjoy eating at the Moon and River, we ate here when we both still ate cheese/eggs, and we still enjoy it now that we are fully vegan. We only go here if we are ready for a slow-paced leisurely meal, as like other reviewers have mentioned, it can take a little while to get your food. Lots of yummy sandwich options (I love the tofu, vegenaise, avocado sandwich) and good breakfast options too, try the "vegan breakfast."
Richard is very friendly, and the atmosphere is cool. We enjoy the nightly music and the neighbor-feel of the place.
The portion are reasonable, some people might say "small" but in reality they are the right amount of food you should eat at a meal, not like the mountain of food most restaurants serve these days.

Pros: huge variety on menu, tasty food, cool music

Cons: no credit cards, not "fast service"

lostgirl12

Points +28

Vegan
11 Feb 2012

disappointing

Their menu is overwhelmingly filled with delicious vegan meals but unfortunately despite my numerous options I found the experience very disappointing. The atmosphere while cool and funky , it is also extremely awkward when you are the only customer there. It literally is like being in a stranger's kitchen which is nice for someone who enjoys that but very uncomfortable and awkward for someone who doesn't. The food was indeed delicious but portions are small and prices are steep. Since food is made to order by only one person the wait can be awhile. And by awhile I mean it can take almost an hour. The owner is nice and friendly and the food is good but unfortunately that wasn't enough to keep me going back.

Pros: good food , nice staff

Cons: long wait, expensive , small portions

luv2fly5em

Points +19

Vegetarian
03 Aug 2010

Yummy!

Ordered the tofu/avocado sandwich with veganaise. It was very good. We went at dinner and they had several locals that were standing up to sing and play guitar, which was enjoyable to watch. Music was not too loud.

Pros: Food, Selection, Atmosphere

Cons: Some very strange characters inside.




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