• CLOSED: JivamukTea Cafe

  • (28)
    56

    Closed

  • White Vegan
Vegan
American
International
Organic
Fast food
Juice bar
Take-out

Cafe inside the Jivamukti Yoga School since 2006 and is open to the public. Counter service with seating for 50+. Menu offers a mix of dishes from tacos and wraps to fusion bowls and salads. Reported closed Dec 2019.


Venue map for JivamukTea Cafe
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28 Reviews

First Review by button

susuwatari

Points +98

Vegan
06 Oct 2019

An occasional escape

The food here is always healthy and yummy, and fairly filling. I like to come here to support the vegan community and enjoy the calm atmosphere, though the price keeps me from being a regular.

foodfirst

Points +776

Vegan
18 Sep 2019

Great on first visit

A great menu with many healthy items and whole-food ingredients. I had a tasty smoothie during my first trip there. It was a bit warm inside. The second floor location was not that difficult to find. It is just (southward) off Union Square on Broadway, and large numerals indicate the address. I found the prices reasonable for the big city location. The yoga studio and store provided an interesting and comforting setting. One could reach the place from the building lobby by elevator or stairs. Smoothies, salads, bowls, wraps, and more.

Pros: healthy, whole-foods orientation, wide range of vegan items on menu, setting

fxp

Points +747

Vegan
08 Aug 2019

Hidden oasis

Great options and cozy atmosphere. Easy to miss.

Poundie

Points +13129

Vegan
25 Jul 2019

Relaxed place in yoga studio

This place is somewhat like a cafeteria for a yoga studio. You order at the counter, then bring your food to a wooden table and bus your table when done. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food is very good and healthy. One thing to watch out for...the food is not inexpensive. It is not overpriced, but do not let the cafeteria feel lead you to forget that the bill can be as high as in a typical restaurant.
Update (2019): the menu has decidedly shrunk since the last time I have been here. The food is still good, though the offerings are not as extensive as they used to be.


Updated from previous review on 2012-06-24

Pros: Tastes good, Relaxed, Healthy

Cons: Self service, Not inexpensive

Noodlegirl

Points +307

Vegan
12 May 2019

Chill Spot

Doesn’t feel like NYC, relaxing.

Pros: Tasty vegan food, Quiet , Self serve

TravegLife

Points +113

Vegan
30 Mar 2019

Secret place

This is a yoga center in union square, with this cute hidden restaurant. The food is home-made style and good. And they have very good cupcakes and cookies if you like the sweets.

Pros: Good prices , Delicious sweets, Very relaxing

PabloofGramercy

Points +269

Vegan
22 Feb 2019

Good place for a serene and simple meal or snack

Quiet, spacious and a relatively varied menu. Definitely worth a visit.

Pros: All vegan: juices, dishes and baked goods, Nice, simple, bohemian digs, A relaxed atmosphere, especially in chaotic USQ

Cons: A little pricey for what it is, Semi-friendly staff

Suebedo

Points +341

Vegan
20 Oct 2018

Love their peanut sauce

The place is really relaxing and mellow there's plenty of bad elbow room and the food is delicious. You can take the elevator or just walk up the stairs. Say hi to receptionist for the opus phone make a left through the store too bright windows over looking broadway. The food is delicious and healthy and I think people overlook the spot because it's in the back of the YOGA school on the 2nd floor but it's very good.

rosalindnyc

Points +525

Vegan
15 Aug 2018

Hidden gem

I love coming to Jivamuktea, and it’s a great place to spend a long afternoon reading (pick up a book at the Strand across the street) or working. You can get lunch and, as per their name, they have a great selection of teas. It is a tad overpriced, which is why I’m not giving 5 stars, but a sweet spot nonetheless.

haleymittel

Points +31

Vegan
31 Jul 2018

I wanted to like it

I was served a plain burrito with little flavor for $14

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Chill environment

Cons: Bland, flavorless, like they forgot something , Expensive , Slow service

ThatsVegayzing

Points +755

Vegan
01 Jun 2018

Overpriced and poorly prepared vegan food.

Jivamuktea is a vegan Café located within the Juvamukti Yoga Center located in Union Square and offers international cuisine options that do not impress.

Food **
We ordered the BLT and Quesadillas (latter based on hosts suggestion). The BLT is compromised of tempeh bacon, soy-free daiya cheese, & tomato, in a folded tortilla. The BLT could have been really good had they cut the avocado on it and spread it out to make sure that each bite included all the ingredients in the recipe, especially the avocado. The tempeh bacon was minimal and while its texture was good it lacked flavor. As for the Quesadillas, the cheese was lacking, MAJORLY. It basically evaporated in the cooking process and left us with remnants embedded into the tortilla. The selection of toppings saved it with the choice of vegan mayo, guacamole, and jalapeños.

Atmosphere **
Has a very California, laidback feeling to it. However, the seats are very close together in a rather large space and the tables were not very clean.

Service **
Hostess was fine but lacked personality and did not seem to be interested in engaging with the customers.

Price $$
Way overpriced! Total of $32.67 for two menu items! Never again.

Pros: Many vegan options

Cons: Very expensive , Poorly prepared food , Horrible customer service

evanding

Points +22

Vegan
01 Apr 2018

healthy and clean relax place

great place to stay around Union Square!

770veg

Points +3331

Vegan
10 Dec 2017

a gem

Simple, delicious, wholesome food, a wonderful environment, a yoga school attached to it and a wonderful shop with extensive selection of vegan minded reading material and inspiration for self and world betterment. All topped off by kind, attentive staff. A great experience.

Pros: delicious, Light and simple, good vibes

KatieBush

Points +3172

Vegan
20 Sep 2017

Expensive

I got the Jiva Bowl, which was pretty tasty. I can't eat soy, so I had to put the tofu off to the side but it looked like it wasn't really cooked any special way. The veggies were good, maybe a bit raw compared to the way the bowl was described, and the sauce was okay (a bit thick for a rice bowl). It was nice to try the food here, but at $16 for this meal, I don't think I could afford to do it again. Overpriced for the amount of food you get and it doesn't have much flavor.

Updated from previous review on 2017-09-20

wanderlustarcher

Points +98

Vegan
13 Jul 2017

In love with the Kitchari

The kitchari porridge is the best thing on the menu.
I recommend it to any & everyone !

OliTheVegan

Points +26

Vegan
14 Jun 2017

Use to be good!

This place is terrible now, it use to have such amazing food but now offers a small menu and the food sucks. It's over priced and they barely give you any food.. and it's not even good. JivamukTea cafe use to be my favorite cafe but now I wouldn't recommend it to anyone :( so sad !!

NatalieAsport

Points +54

Vegan
18 Apr 2017

Spiritual Eating

It's like a spiritual atmosphere the couple times I have eaten here. The quietness with the almost silent ambience of the city, people working on their own projects at the table, with yoga vibes from the surrounding yoga school and plant decor - this is one relaxing dining experience. Considering it's right on Broadway, you get the entertaining window view of the main street minus the loud noise thanks to thick sound-proof windows.
The bowl is fantastic to warm you up on a chilly day. The tuna wrap (not real tuna) is outstanding especially with a little Siracha sauce to add a kick.

Pros: quietness, plant-based foods, yoga vibes

holistic.chica

Points +66

Vegan
21 Sep 2016

Yoga and Food in Union Square

This is a great place to find refuge from the noise and people, nested on a 2nd Floor with large windows looking out onto union square area. I usually get a Yogie bowl of quinoa, black beans and steamed kale with one of their tasty sauces. I like coming here when I want to sit, eat, read a book, write and not feel like i'm going to be rushed out of the place.

YuvalMonster

Points +451

Vegan
27 Jul 2016

Loved it

Best vegan food I could find in the area. The staff was really nice and even though some meals were taken off the menu that day, I found some really great dishes.

Pros: Excellent food, Spacious place, Healthy food

Cons: Small portions, Some things were taken off the menu, .

JustineHsu

Points +114

Vegan
31 May 2015

fantastic cafe!

The food here is delicious. The ingredients are very fresh and the flavor is simple yet beautiful. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal. It's a great spot to hang out by yourself or with some friends. Highly recommended.

steveveg

Points +2186

Vegan
21 May 2015

Pleasant cafe

Jivamuk Tea Cafe is located on the second floor in a yoga complex. The place is pleasantly informal, with some people working on their laptops or holding a meeting. The food is fine, with an adequate selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. We had the portobello panini pesto which was quite good. we also sampled the desserts - a cupcake and a brownie - also very nice.

KarinaU1

Points +56

Vegan
14 Oct 2013

Healthy and Delicious Food

Cozy space to have a relaxing lunch or dinner especially after a yoga session. The food is very good and tastes great.

I love that they also have books and other yoga and workout accessories
along with sustainable, reusable eating utensils and beauty products.

Pros: Delicious Food, Relatively Quick Service, Healthy

JenniferF

Points +60

Mostly Veg
18 Aug 2009

Let's keep little gems like this alive!

the cafe was closed for a while, and I'm so glad it's back. It's healthy food, served and prepared with love. Simple and a great place to go if you want something low key or don't want to or can't spend the extra for wait service. the desserts are just OK to my mind - though pretty huge, but I love their smoothies, the dressings on the salads are delish. and it's a great healthy yoga atmosphere to eat in.

Pros: tasty and healthy food, calm atmosphere

Cons: can get overwhelmed by crowds

Vadim

Points +85

Vegan
03 Mar 2009

great joint

Aside from a $3.89 chocolate chip cookie (which was great but not worth 3.89), this was a great spot - comfortable cafe type - order-at-the-counter atmosphere, all vegan and mostly raw with a wide and creative variety of options for all sorts of tastes. Food was really tasty. No complaints - except for that $3.89 chocolate chip cookie.

piffelina

Points +3514

Vegan
12 Jan 2009

is this place still around?

we went looking for it in late august, but when we entered what should be the door, there was a very narrow long hall and a guy almost "guarding it" from intruders (as us). it felt like a hotel or something, so we just turned and walked away.

Jleon11

Points +41

Vegetarian
28 Jul 2008

Perfect casual dining

This is my favorite place to get lunch. All of the food is excellent, and the portions are rather generous. What really sets this place apart though is the atmosphere and the fact that it is nicely hidden from the crowds of people jamming Broadway. It really feels like a hidden little jewel when you find it.

As for the prices: they may be slightly steep, but how else could they stay in business providing fresh organic ingredients, satisfying portions, and thoughtfully prepared meals? The service is also excellent, and the place is very clean & tidy. Very impressive.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Nothing

philjdomm

Points +945

Vegan
13 Jun 2008

Vegan Convenience

had the vegan mclovin...it was great...super expensive but very funny staff. too bad they dont do carob versus chocolate. but yummy!




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