Cafe Evolution

My husband and I go once a week on average. We love the brunch! Pastries are all delicious and worth a visit for them alone. Soups are always tasty and we love the chili burrito for lunch!

The no turkey sandwich w/ chips and salsa is amazing, and the peanut butter jelly cupcake is delicious!

I came here while waiting for a patient at the hospital. I had the cold Evolution noodles with greens, tofu and peanut sauce. Super. I also got a brownie and blood orange cupcake to go. Excellent!

My significant other brought me here for Valentine's Day and I could not have been happier! Everyone who worked there was incredibly kind and friendly (the owner even gave me a free button, and the atmosphere was very calm and relaxing. Their variety was impressive; I had no idea what to order and spent quite a while contemplating what I should choose, eventually settling upon a Saint Reuben on a poppyseed bagel, which was delicious. My S.O. let me try everything on his plate (he got a sort of sampler plate), and it all tasted amazing, too. To top it all off, I got to have my favorite drink, vegan hot chocolate. I can't wait to go back here and try all of their dishes, including their desserts, which I couldn't eat because I was simply too full! This is one of my favorite vegan restaurants now :)

A very charming place, nice hippie atmosphere, food is relatively good. Vegan brownies/cupcakes!

I had an enjoyable meal at this Cafe ~ it was nice to know, going in, that I was able to order anything on the menu for dinner. My meal was plentiful and delicious.

I looked forward to my visit to Café Evolution with great anticipation. I have visited many vegan restaurants around the world, but unfortunately my home in Western, MA is lacking when it comes to vegan cuisine. I was very happy to discover a vegan establishment so close by, and one that had received such good reviews at that.

When my husband and I arrived at the café we discovered that only cash was accepted. No problem, we thought, and walked to a local bank. Upon returning we decided to order the nachos and a sloppy-joe sandwich. Other menu items we noticed were the burrito, and the chili. It was disclosed on the menu that the burrito was stuffed with chili.

While waiting for our food we looked for a table, many of which were quite filthy. I also paid a visit to the rest room, the condition of which put a damper on my appetite. Quietly discussing the sanitary situation, we debated cancelling our order. We decided to stay as our food was already being prepared (by the same person who had handled our money). After some time our meals were ready, but which was the sloppy-joe and which were the nachos??? Both meals just looked like chili! The only way to tell them apart was that the nachos had some chips tossed around the side and the sloppy-joe included bread.

I must admit that the cupcake we ordered for dessert was tasty, and that this was fall of 2013, so perhaps things have improved. Also, that the person working at the counter was nice and seemed to be trying her best, despite being the only person there. Café Evolution was by far the worst vegan dinning experience I have had, and can't imagine it could get much worse. I wish I could give this café only 1 cow (for the cupcake), but Happy Cow only allows 2 cows as the lowest rating.

This is the first time I unfortunately have to write a negative review on Happy Cow. I am not sure what others are seeing in this place. The day we went there almost all the food was chili based (and not good chili at that). That is, all the menu items were actually the same, despite being called different things.

The place is terribly dirty as well. We have eaten at over a dozen vegan restaurants (Boston, NY, Spain, Brattleboro) and this one, I am sad to say, embarrasses me. I just hope non-vegans do not go there and think this is vegan cuisine.

However, we actually ordered 200 cupcakes for our wedding (before laying eyes on the place because we live in the Berkshires) and these were a BIG hit I must say.

Disclaimer: We did not have their brunch which sounds like it may be palatable. But, due to the dirtiness I would never go back.

Heard about this place last year. Since I decided to go full on vegan I thought what the heck I'll give it a go. I was so happy to find that it was a truly vegan place to eat. I had the special sandwich of the day, the Thunderstorm Burger, and it was awesome. My only complaint was that today it didn't look like they were following up on clean up very well. We tried three different tables before we found one that was wiped off. The service wasn't slow while I was there so I'm guessing there must be a time of the day/week when they have a problem with slow service. It would be nice if they had a gluten free bread option.

Everything at this landmark vegan cafe is excellent! And that includes the staff!

My boyfriend and I have been going to cafe evolution 1-2 times a month for several years and the food is always delicious. I like the laid-back atmosphere of ordering at the counter and not having a waiter. I love the baked tofu sandwich best, and the specials are always really good. Deserts are great, I especially love the scones and they serve great coffee and other drinks. I also really love the salad with the Japanese carrot dressing. I could go on and on...

Updated from previous review on Tuesday June 04, 2013

My husband and I still go here a lot, and the food is always great. I'm very grateful to have a long-standing vegan restaurant that is comfortable, laid-back and welcoming, that serves really good food at a good price. Vegan places seem to come and go, and I'm really hoping that Cafe Evolution will be around for a long, long time.

My only complaints are that it is cash-only. I get it, but it's inconvenient. Also, I really really wish there was a pickle with my baked tofu sandwich! Oh and maybe the option of cole slaw (the ginger slaw that comes with the specials?) or potato salad instead of the chips.

I eat here periodically when I have some time to wait since the service is generally very slow. Most items can be made gluten free and the whole menu is vegan. I like the loaded nachos with bean chili and the baked goods as well.

I've only been here twice (most recently in mid-August) since I live in Boston, but have enjoyed it both times. I really like the artsy / laid-back atmosphere. They have a very limited menu, but what they have are mostly healthy comforting and good tasting foods. I recall loving my first entree experience, but my 2nd (red bean cakes, salad and harvest soup) was good but not great (cakes were too dry and soup had lots of mushrooms, not the chefs fault, but I don't like mushrooms). Where they really shine is their baked goods, which I got a bunch of to go both times I went. Delicious scones, cupcakes and more. If you end up near Northampton, definitely check them out.

One word of caution, their whole wheat bread may contain honey (it tasted like it did, but I didn't ask).

My husband and I had lunch at Cafe Evolution the other day - it was amazing! The atmosphere - open floor plan, converted warehouse
Soft music and plants everywhere, vintage furniture, and really nice people.
The food: we had the special soup of the day (garbanzo mushroom) which was creamy and delicious, then I had the large garden salad with baked tofu, avocado and tahini dressing - so fresh and yummy! My husband had the winner though...the tempeh BLT. It was so good and made on their homemade bread.
I also had a great house-made chai tea (loved because they don't sweeten it).
They also had the children's book "That's Why We Don't Eat Animals" on the windowsill which I had been meaning to read. If you haven't read it, you should!

Maybe the only entirely vegan cafe in the area. Great staff, by far my favorite place to eat. Sandwiches are fabulous. Desserts are to die for. Wide array of alt. milks for coffee. Dedication to only serving organic vegan food is a huge selling point. Great atmosphere and lots of literature / AR pamphlets available for reading. Kid friendly, gender neutral bathrooms.

I liked this Cafe. While a little grungy, the atmosphere is pretty nice. I got the chili and the nachos, both of which were good. I would love to try brunch!

By chance, I went with a friend to this place, and I must say, it is amazing. The food was delicious (I had vegan chili), the owners are very genuine and nice people, and I am really impressed by the menu, which has all sorts of tasty goodies I can't wait to try.

I also like the animal-rights literature that is displayed inside the cafe. It isn't just about the food we eat, it's about our personal morals as well.

This place is a wonderful resource for vegans. The food is excellent and I plan to come back as often as I can. This place is a wonderful escape and a chance to be with like-minded people while enjoying some of the best vegan food in the area.

The bakery is also amazing, I can't wait to try everything.

Cafe evolution is my favorite vegan restaurant in Northampton. I like the open atmosphere, and it is a comfortable place to sit for as long as you wish (as long as the cafe remains open, as Sundays they close at 2:00).

The portions are always generous, and chef Heather's specials are always creative and amazing. Often the specials are sold-out, and the regular menu items are good as well. The peanut noodles are favorites of non-veg friends and family, and everyone loves the baked goods. The chili is a nourishing and delicious stand-by. The coffee is strong- locally roasted fair trade from Pierce Brothers, and many hot drinks are available. The oat bread for sandwiches is delicious and wholesome.

Daiya cheese is often used for the specials, and I prefer that cheese to other fake cheeses. Sheese is sold in the deli, but not usually used in the recipes.

Live music and poetry readings often take place, especially on the weekends.

The Sunday brunch menu includes scrambled tofu, french toast, omelette, lemon corn waffles, pancakes, yogurt & granola, homefries and bagel sandwiches and is served 10-2. There are a lot of dairy substitutes used at evolution, but you can usually find something without processed soy products.