Vegan
American
Organic
Bakery
Vegan food cafe menu featuring daily specials, soups, noodle, sandwiches, and sweets. Dinner on Saturday nights with performance plus Sunday brunch. Confirmed closed, Sep 2021.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
22 Chestnut St, Florence, Massachusetts, USA, 01062
-
Loading...
-
- Accepts credit cards
-
-
Last update on 02 Oct 2021 by veggivet
Update business info
-
-
49 Reviews
First Review by hdrooker
meaganmw1205
Points +23
Great food, great service! - Edit
The no turkey sandwich w/ chips and salsa is amazing, and the peanut butter jelly cupcake is delicious!
Read moreGuest
KerryGoesVegan
Points +67
great! - Edit
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!
Read morePros: Friendly service and large space with plenty of pa, Great food, Lots of options
Cons: Reluctant to recommend a dessert, the arms of the chair were sticky
Guest
kelwood13
Points +384
Incredible!! - Edit
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 :)
Read morePros: Great food, Quick service, Friendly people
Cons: Bathroom on the left doesn't lock properly
Guest
leahk3
Points +566
good! - Edit
A very charming place, nice hippie atmosphere, food is relatively good. Vegan brownies/cupcakes!
Read moreGuest
veganintheberkshires
Points +50
Horrible - Edit
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.
Read moreThe 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.
Guest
Zen_Cat
Points +54
It's all good... - Edit
Everything at this landmark vegan cafe is excellent! And that includes the staff!
Read moreGuest
zeakez
Points +20
We love this place! - Edit
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...
Read moreUpdated 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.
Pros: Great food , Good prices, Calm environment, nice staff
Cons: cash only, NO PICKLE
Guest
HappyGardener123
Points +158
great food - Edit
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.
Read morePros: tasty snacks and lunch foods
Cons: really slow service
Guest
slithers
Points +709
Delicious baked goods! - Edit
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.
Read moreOne word of caution, their whole wheat bread may contain honey (it tasted like it did, but I didn't ask).
Pros: Friendly staff, Artsy/fun atmosphere, Delicious vegan baked goods
Cons: Limited menu, Limited hours
Guest
forestfairy
Points +68
the best vegan food in Northampton! - Edit
My husband and I had lunch at Cafe Evolution the other day - it was amazing! The atmosphere - open floor plan, converted warehouse
Read moreSoft 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!
Pros: excellent food, nice staff, great atmosphere
Guest
lalaveggiemonster
Points +32
Hidden Gem - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Wide array of vegan treats, atmosphere, Vegan BLT
Cons: somewhat slow service, $$
Guest
conniex721
Points +136
Great! - Edit
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!
Read morePros: Many Options, Good Service, Nice Seating
Guest
Sarah P
Points +9043
favorite vegan cafe in town - Edit
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).
Read moreThe 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.
Pros: 100% vegan, Tasty, nourishing food, Comfortable atmosphere
Cons: Not in downtown Noho, Cash only, Specials sometimes sell out
Guest
Kenneth Robinson
Points +48
The best (and only) 100% vegan restaurant around - Edit
Excellent Sunday brunches. Though I am not a fan of fake cheeses generally and the brand they use in particular.
Read moreThe baked goods here are the best vegan baked goods I've ever had. Though they are a little on the sweet side. Coffee is not so good here.
Portions are generous to a fault. Menu is not gourmet oriented. Plenty of tasty, well prepared choices.
Big open space dining area. Pleasantly funky and decidedly casual. If there are noisy kid near you it can be really loud here. Seasonal outside table next to the parking lot (not so nice). Parking lot is small. Limited nearby on street parking. Evolution doesn't take plastic, bring federal reserve notes.
Service. Order and pay at the counter. Pick up your order at the counter when your name's called. Bus your own table. Service is sometimes lackadaisical and not too friendly (it helps if you're a regular).
Guest
AshleyxMichelle
Points +215
Great Baked Goods - Edit
I tried the chili burrito it was pretty good. The brownie I had was the best I have had. Vegan or not vegan. I also tried the some other baked items. They were all great!
Read morePros: Great food, Friendly staff, Good atmosphere
Guest
azoraa
Points +70
Neat place - Edit
I have stopped by here a few times and really liked the chili as well as the baked items. I was impressed with the place. It has a sort of warehouse feel to it compared to the tiny shops in NY - large open space with tables, couches, bar stools, large windows, etc. The cupcakes are large size and seem like a fair value. The staff are friendly. I went once for the Sunday brunch, the food was very good but note several ill-behaved children in the place then. Later evening sometimes have entertainment via donation at the door.
Read morePros: good portions, lots of room, artistic decor
Cons: sceaming children on Sunday
Guest
Elsie
Points +58
Awesome Desserts!! - Edit
My husband and I visited Cafe Evolution from Connecticut after hearing about it from the Vegan Bus. We were happy to see the huge Vegan Bus parked in their parking lot! Very cool! The inside was larger and more modern-looking (versus hippy-looking) than what I had expected. We had to walk to a nearby gas station to use an ATM because I didn't realize they only take cash and local checks- what a bummer! We ordered soup, a sandwich, and nachos. I loved that the bread was really thick and homemade (bread came with the soup, too). At first we were impressed with the melted Sheese "cheese" on the nachos, but once it cooled down it was no longer good- just sort of chunky and thick. I would love to see this place try out a vegan cheese made in the USA, rather than import Sheese from Scotland. (Maybe they could use Teese made in Chicago or Dr. Cow Tree Nut Cheese made in Brooklyn.) We also got dessert and coffee. The cupcakes are so yummy- large and thickly topped with frosting! And I loved that the coffee bar offered agave as a sweetener along with many vegan creamer choices. Also, all the little details makes this place great, too: they compost your food scraps (if you even have any!), they use Dr. Bronner's soap in the bathrooms, and they have a great community bulletin board around the door frame. If we are in the area again, we will have cash on hand and just stick to the cupcakes and coffee.
Read morePros: Yummy Desserts, Good Variety, Enviromentally-Friendly
Cons: Cash & Local Checks only, Scotland-imported Sheese "cheese"
Guest
nicolefernald
Points +27
Favorite Restaurant - Edit
This place is my favorite restaurant. Great sandwiches and specials and of course desserts!
Read morePros: Great Food, Nice decor, Great Food
Guest
jdame
Points +140
Excellent Place to Eat (Best for Vegans) - Edit
I just drove 50miles out of my way to try this place after hearing about it on Vegan Radio. I was not disappointed the food was great, the people wonderful and to top it off ... free internet for me to browse the web!
Read morePros: Good Food, Price, Location
kindlizard
what is vegan radio? details!!
Read moreGuest
solarvegan
Points +54
Unbe-friggin'-lievable! - Edit
We loved, loved, loved this place so much, I was forced to use my own made-up word to heap praise upon it! And even then I fall shamefully short of doing Evolution Cafe the justice it so richly deserves. We traveled for two hours to get to this place and the long trip was definitely worth it! We had the Sunday brunch; I ordered the Lemon Corn Waffles with Blueberry Sauce -- even better than it sounds -- and tempeh "bacon," while my wife --are you ready? -- the Vegan Omelette! The flavor and texture of the latter, stuffed with vegan cheese, shitake mushrooms, peppers and onions, successfully mimicked the taste and mouth-feel of the omelettes made with you-know-what. And it came with fried potatoes and thick whole grain bread drenched with what probably was "buttery" Earth Balance. And we accompanied this enchanted meal with top-of-the-line, oh so flavorful teas. Alas, I did not save room for the tempting cupcakes, so I took home with me two chocolate chocolate-chip cupcakes, one with peanut butter frosting, the other, mint "cream cheese." My wife, who is diabetic, was able to take out a raspberry coconut spelt bar, sweetened with low-glycemic agave nectar. Everything was so indescribably delicious. Oh, how I love being vegan! Regarding atmosphere? Well, here is a restaurant on the cutting edge of vegan cooking and baking ingenuity which, unlike so many vegan restaurants and publications in these times, avoids the brash-glitzy-movie star-image, and instead maintains an ambience reminiscent of the down-to-earth, tie-dyed, '60s hippie culture. We're going back -- you'd better believe we will! -- and the next time we do, we shall partake of the full menu! Ah, Evolution, how we vegans have evolved!
Read morePros: delicious food , friendly staff, all vegan
Guest
Pwnie-Boy
Points +51
Amazingly delicious vegan delight! - Edit
I've been here many many times so far and I have to say that I am never left disappointed after having eaten there. The daily menu is fantastic and offers many scrumptious options including a chili burrito, "turkey" sandwich, vegan-BLT, quiche and so much more. Since I don't live extremely close to this place, I'm always torn between going for lunch or dinner during the week, or holding off until Sunday morning for their fabulous brunch. I'm talkin' vegan-omelettes, waffles, pancakes, "sausage" patties, delicious tofu-scrambles...mmmm mmmm mmmmmmmmm.
Read moreAnd last, but most certainly not least, let's not forget about the mouth-watering dessert case, which is always stocked full of Megan's(Oh Sweet Mama's Bakery) fantastically delicious items including cream-filled chocolate cupcakes, lemon-cupcakes, choco-PB squares, cakes, pies, cookies.......did I mention I love this place so much I could marry it? Star, the owner of this fine establishment is a very kind and sincere person. Megan's great as well, and she makes the best cakes, which you can always special order with her. So you've read all of this, which I thank you for, so now go and do yourself a favor and check this place out. You will not be disappointed.
Pros: Amazing food!, Great atmosphere!, Super-friendly staff!
Cons: Not next door to me : (, *, *
Guest
hdrooker
Points +13
DELICIOUS FOOD AND A COMFY PLACE - Edit
A wonderful dining experience in a homey environment! The food is delicious, ample and creatively prepared. Don't leave without tasting a soup or dessert.
Read morePros: great food, happy staff and diners, beautiful room
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.