Vegan
Chinese
Buffet
Take-out
Chinese and Pan Asian foods located on the bottom floor of the Avatamsaka Monastery on the Bow River. Closes winter months 'til late-March. July 2017, re-opened after renovations as a lunchtime buffet. Reported fully vegan August 2023. Open Wed-Sat 11:30am-1:30pm, Fri 5:00pm-7:00pm.
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Last update on 08 Jun 2024 by YYCJosh
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Added by librarypunk on 10 Jul 2014
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18 Reviews
First Review by Tompaint
YYCJosh
Points +85
Great vegan buffet - Edit
What a gem of a Buddhist vegetarian (also vegan) restaurant! They're only open for lunch Wednesday-Saturday and dinner Friday. The dishes were all delicious, allergens and spice levels clearly marked, and the atmosphere and people were peaceful and inviting. They do all-you-can-eat buffet only, with an extensive list of teas available as an add-on. Can't wait to return, with my teenage son and his hollow leg.
Read morePros: Good variety of vegan proteins, Friendly staff, Free parking on the side
Guest
Matchabunny
Points +314
Amazing...so delicious - Edit
Ambrosia veggie is so amazing. I went 4 rounds and each round there are new type of veggie dish and it is so tasty!!!! 👌 best best vegan buffet ever!!! The dessert, generous fruits, generous variety...impressive. 😋
Read moreMe n my friend's all agree that we should just skip other veggie restaurants and come here instead.
Pros: Lots of variety, Generous and good quality, Delicious delicious delicious
Cons: Nothing, Zero, Can't find bad
Guest
TulsiG
Points +78
Amazing Simple Food - Edit
I'm a fan! The food is simple and delicious (no onion/garlic) and reasonably priced too! It's a buffet which is awesome - and the staff is very kind. The place is very clean and has a peaceful vibe. There is a Buddhist temple above! Go check it out!
Read morePros: Cheap, Buffet, Peaceful
Guest
Sunpelican
Points +13
Kind People and Great Food! - Edit
This is a place to go again and again. The staff is very friendly and the food is delicious.
Read morePros: Kind people, Delicious vegetarian food, Aforable price and self serve (buffet)
Cons: Many greasy items, Not opens during weekends
Guest
hbear
Points +43
Affordable and deelish - Edit
It’s so nice being able to try all the different dishes. The price is very affordable and the staff are friendly and attentive. A total hidden gem!
Read moreGuest
Dixon
Points +76
Excellent lunch option - Edit
I used to visit Ambrosia when it had a full menu and when it was open in the evenings. I certainly miss both of those options although the lunch buffet is a good second best. Staff regularly replace the food in the buffet - a quick turnaround so if you go back for seconds there is often a new dish to tempt you. Last time I was there steamed buns were available which was a great addition.
Read morePros: Very tasty food, Quick lunch option, Steamed buns!
Cons: Not option in evening and no menu options
Guest
perkonius
Points +322
Can't beat the taste or the price - Edit
Delicious buffet at an incredible price. Lots of dishes to choose from, fairly heavy on the faux meats. Construction is over inside the restaurant so look for the entrance on the north side (facing the river).
Read moreVery friendly staff and great food.
Pros: All you can eat deliciousness, Good selection, Lovely dining room, nicer than most buffets
Cons: None
Guest
librarypunk
Points +87
8.99 veggie buffet! - Edit
I am super fan of recently re-opened Ambrosia's weekday 8.99 lunch buffet.
Read moreIts mostly vegan healthy Buddhist temple style foods. Expect lots of vegetables, chinese fungus, tofu, gluten, yuba & bran in tasty stirfried sauces. Brown or white rice, fried rice and noodles on the side. Rotating appetizers - dumplings, spring rolls, wontons, sticky rice balls. A large cold salad selection. So yummy and perhaps the best veg lunch deal in Calgary.
Pros: cheap!, friendly staff, excellent food
Guest
hiroselee
Points +28
Awesome food and great service - Edit
the food was high quality and delicious. Service was kind and attentive. I highly recommend this place!!
Read morePros: excellent food, good value, friendly staff
Cons: in a slightly weird location
Guest
orski
Points +91
Wonderful - Edit
Modern restaurant with a fine view. The service was prompt,
Read moreattentive, considerate, happy. The food was interesting, surprising, and tasty.
It was a pleasant Sunday dinner, and had a good crowd, mostly
families. I think that they will do very well if they continue
as they have so far.
Pros: Variety, Flavor, Service
Cons: I like this place, no Cons
Guest
elyssec
Points +21
Fantastic food, fantastic service! - Edit
I came here by myself last Sunday, and the first thing I have to say was that the view is incredible! The interior is very clean and modern, with a relaxed ambience. As the restaurant is situated inside of the existing Avatamsaka Monastery, I personally found it a bit deterring and had to work up a tiny bit of courage to walk in, but the all the staff members were welcoming.
Read moreMy waitress was extremely friendly and patient, and helped me choose my dishes. I ordered the vegetables in curry with a side of white jasmine rice. The curry was not as spicy as I had anticipated, but delicious. There is plenty of sauce, which went very well with the rice. The meal was very filling, although I wished that there was a bit less of the curry sauce (it was more of a soup than a sauce), and more vegetables.
One thing however, is that the prices are just a bit higher for the amount of food you're getting. Still very good though!
Pros: Excellent food, Friendly Staff
Cons: A Bit Pricey
Guest
VeganSylvie
Points +88
Ambrosia Veggie House - Edit
Like House special noodles were great- it had some sort of mock meat/tofu that I hadn't known about before hand - which was a great surprise. I went in for take out and the service was quite quick. Sadly the lunch special was over which seemed like the best deal. The ambiance was amazing with soothing music and fresh flowers on all the tables. I liked that is was located inside the temple/ The staff was polite and friendly. When I got home not only was the dishes labeled but also artistically drawn on- which I thought was a nice personalized touch. The "ginger beef" used real ginger, but was a bit dry was my liking, but still very good. Two dishes cost $28.88 before tip. The service was quite quick, but the place was quiet which only two other seated individuals together. I thought the serving sizes could of been larger. I've had better mock meat dished. Overall a fairly good experience.
Read morePros: Quite quick/mock meat, Fresh Flowers/Beautiful music/Ambiance, Polite/Nice staff
Cons: Smaller portion sizes , Mock meat dish felt a bit limited
Guest
Ballerman
Points +89
temple food - Edit
First time eating here - terrific! All vegan menu and super staff. The crispy burdock rolls were outstanding.
Read morePros: all began, great staff
Cons: erratic hours?
Guest
vegetariangirl
Points +2352
great new addition to Calgary - Edit
A gorgeous location along the river in downtown Calgary. Very nice staff. Great food and value. My favourite is the peanut satay sticks and the turnip cake. Nice ambiance with lots of seating. Lunch specials as well. The menu is almost all vegan.
Read moreGuest
Peacemonger
Points +21
Great find! - Edit
Ambrosia is a new restaurant, located on the main floor of the Buddhist temple by the Bow River. We sat at a table by the window, enjoying the scenery of the river park, the 10th Street bridge, and the joggers and pedestrians on the river pathway. The restaurant has a very peaceful ambiance. We were there at lunchtime and chose the $8.95 lunch combo. ($9.45 if you opt for brown rice instead of white rice or fried rice.) You choose one of four options to start (such as salad, veggie tempura, or spring rolls), two of six options (such as stir fry veggies, potato and tofu curry, sweet and sour soy nuggets, ma-po; then either steamed rice (brown or white), fried rice, or fried vermicelli. They indicate any items with gluten by marking it "G" by the item. Between the two of us, we tried tempura, spring rolls, stir fry, potato and tofu curry, and ma-po, and we each tasted all of them. Our favorites: tempura and ma-po, though everything was good. I thought that the serving sizes were just fine. Out of curiosity, we looked over the dinner menu, which offers a large range of main dishes, priced between $11 and $13. Our server was a capable young woman who paid attention to us, without hovering, and who was friendly and courteous as she answered all our questions. I am delighted that I discovered Ambrosia through Happy Cow. I will be back often.
Read moreGuest
Garfieldsherry
Points +19
Authentic and Delicious Chinese Vegetarian Food - Edit
I've been there for lunch combo and regular dinner services, and I've greatly enjoyed both of their options. Lunch combo comes with several choices, reasonably priced and surprisingly filling! Regular dinner menu offers a variety of options from dishes that caters to both people not familiar with Chinese food, and those who seek authentic flavors with healthy choices in Chinese dishes. The dinner dishes were also in bountiful portions, some had hearty sauces that goes well with rice! I also love they have several appetizer and drink choices that are creative and delicious, can't usually find these options in other Chinese restaurants. Would definitely stop by there with other friends, and would recommend to anyone traveling here to stop by for a tryout, as a restaurant like this is hard to come by in US & Canada.
Read morePros: Hearty portions, Nice selection of appetizer/drinks, Easily accessible by public transit
Guest
zthomson
Points +29
Mediocre - Edit
Ambrosia is part of a Buddhist Temple which is a very cool-looking building and its also nice because you know it is vegan. Inside the restaurant they have done a very good job it is clean and modern.
Read moreWe went for lunch and the waitress was not a very good listener and not educated on the menu items.
I decided to have the lunch combo which is a very good price and you get to choose from a variety of things.
I had yam fries which came out cold and with way too much batter on them, noodles which were also cold and lacking in flavour, a Chinese brocoli and Bok Choy stir fry which was pretty fresh but very plain, and tofu and potato in a curry sauce which was better than everything else but still lukewarm and not as good as I expected.
The other person I was with had a sweet and sour soy dish that was very good.
It sounds like a lot of food but you just get a small bit of each of these things which really fills you up.
Not sure if I will go back maybe I will but I would try one of the main dishes not the lunch combo.
Pros: Clean and modern , Good Value
Cons: Inexperienced Staff, Cold food
Guest
Tompaint
Points +24
Great food in an ideal location - Edit
Only open a week so far. Food is excellent. Service super! Spicy eggplant hotpot was great. Lots of free parking on west side of building.
Read moreGuest
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