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Casual cafe offering healthy vegetarian food, smoothies and fresh juices for eat-in or takeaway. Order at the counter from a menu of warm bowls, salad bowls, and grilled wraps plus the day's soup and some small snacks. Egg or dairy may be removed or replaced - ask. Sells a small selection of health products to take home. This is the first of several outlets, est. since the mid-2000s and is situated opposite the Quilt Museum. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-9:00pm, Sat 10:00am-8:00pm, Sun 10:00am-9:00pm.
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194 Middle St, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA, 01852
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Last update on 26 May 2025 by BostonVegan
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47 Reviews
First Review by myboyfriendisdead
johng34
Points +16
Awesome - Edit
This is our favorite vegan restaurant. Reasonably priced, food exceptionally fresh and delicious. Haven't been disappointed no matter what I order. Highly recommend.
Read moreCons: Frequently out a main ingred for a specific dish
Guest
MorganM
Points +80
Bad Service - Edit
The service at this location is always very slow and there has been multiple occasions where I have had to ask for my food more than once. The two other locations do however have good service. There are not very many gluten free options. The menu has some good salads and smoothies but hasn't changed since I've been going there several years ago.
Read morePros: Lots of healthy salad and smoothie options.
Cons: Very slow service., Not fully vegan. , Menu never changes.
Guest
Ashley729
Points +103
Nothing like it in the area, great food! - Edit
I'm torn writing this review because I love the food and the vibe here, but honestly every time I come here, they mess something up! I have had CHEESE put on my order before when I specified no cheese, I've had them forget parts of a larger order, I've had orders mixed up, you name it. The only reason I keep coming back is for the delicious food that you can't get anywhere else in this area. I still recommend giving it a try, but just be warned about busy times and make sure you check your takeout order before leaving!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-04-04
Pros: Delicious vibrant food, everything can be made vegan, enjoyable quirky atmosphere
Cons: service is slow, orders frequently messed up, tough to find parking
Guest
NIBsmf
Points +1375
Surprisingly Delicious! - Edit
Food: 10/10. Shockingly delicious for such healthy food! While I tend to eat very healthy at home, I tend to want comfort foods when eating out. My husband and I happened upon this restaurant while visiting Lowell to see Kerouac-related spots and figured it was going to be our best bet for vegan food. I was honestly hesitant about it sounding so healthy that it might be bland, but NOPE! Very flavorful. And good portions.
Read morePrice: 7/10. A bit on the pricey side but it is organic, so it's comparable to othet organic places.
Atmosphere: 8/10. Cute and colorful.
Staff: 8/10. Friendly and helpful. They let me try a sample if a sauce I was curious about.
I went on a Sunday afternoon, and it was not busy like other reviewers mentioned.
Pros: all vegetarian, tasty, healthy
Cons: somewhat pricey
Guest
Veganish2001
Points +15
Favorite cafe in Lowell - Edit
I've been here many times with friends and the service and smoothies are always fantastic! The only con is that it tends to get crowded so it may be hard finding a seat, but the wait it worth it!
Read morePros: great service, great drinks
Cons: crowded, slight odor
Guest
veganzinga
Points +113
Really Good - Edit
Love this place. I ordered the green goddess bowl and the vibrance alive smoothie and both were amazing. My only problem was how crowded it was. I came around 7pm on a Saturday and it took forever to find a seat, so make sure to plan ahead.
Read moreGuest
FredSampson
Points +17
Delicious throw-back to the 60s - Edit
I visited the Life Alive in Lowell on the recommendation of a colleague during a week-long training at IBM in Littleton. The place is a bit smaller than I expected, but big enough to pack a wide variety of foods, teas, and other delights. Life Alive would fit right in to 60s Santa Cruz, with the addition of wi-fi!
Read moreI went with the Green Goddess bowl, which was quite delicious, then picked up a smoothie for the road. The food was good, staff friendly and willing to make recommendations.
A delightful experience, recommended.
Guest
Cheryl runner
Points +644
great place! - Edit
My husband and I stopped in for lunch on our way home from Nashua NH after a half marathon over the weekend. We are both Vegan and very health concious. I had the mystic mountain salad with a side of avacado and the Eros alive smoothie. My husband had adventurur in a wrap and the Eros smoothie. Both were excellent and very flavorful! The service was great and the staff was very friendly. This little cafe was very brighly colored and there were lots to look at. They even sold health products and exotic teas. It was a bit small but, cozy. Oh and the bathroom is a must see! Very cool! Love this place and I would go back even though it is an hour and a half drive for us.
Read morePros: great menu, friendly staff, bright and inviting
Cons: small table are squished together
Guest
veganamanda
Points +251
Love it! - Edit
I love this place. The food is healthy and yummy. Everything can be made vegan. The atmosphere and decor is really cool. Sometimes there are live bands playing.
Read moreThe only downside is that they are usually pretty slow. But it's worth the wait.
Pros: yummy food, good atmosphere
Cons: limited seating, can't go with a group, long wait for food
Guest
Suz
Points +359
Funky Fare in Lowell!! - Edit
We haven't lived in New England for nearly 20 yrs. Hubs and i were visiting for family reasons Oct 2013. My octogenarian father and some of his younger church friends wanted to treat us to a Friday night meal out that they thought *we'd* enjoy. Turned out none of them were veg*n or anything remotely like that.(They didn't even know what Braggs' Aminos were --> my first clue!) So naturally, they didn't know about HappyCow. Somehow they found this place and all wanted to check it out!
Read moreI ordered a yummy lentil soup (very tiny bowl) and got served pretty fast. Everyone else had to wait a good long while and we were all pretty hungry. Local musicians played non-stop *loud* '60s live music. *I* loved it!! Perfectly fit the fun mood of the place, tho we couldn't talk, so didn't get to know each other very well.
I don't believe anyone but me enjoyed their meal. And we were ALL still hungry when we left. This is NO criticism of Life Alive!!
I would say this cafe serves pretty hardcore fare... VERY healthy and VERY green... but not a great choice for a bunch of Friday night hungry meat-eaters or even veggie newbies or wannabes who really have NO experience eating this way at all.(Or those of us out-of-town vegans who hadn't eaten all day...)
That said... Hubs and i would likely frequent the place if we lived up there... sans the rest of that crew. Life Alive was comfy and funky and everyone working there smiled and seemed pleased with what they were contributing. Everything was top-notch (if pricey) and the feeling that the entire staff was on a delightful *mission* to make and serve the very healthiest dishes in Lowell simply permeated the atmosphere!
Now, i hadn't been in Lowell for a very long time, but this really WAS an urban oasis to me!! What a delight to find this place ... even if it wasn't the best experience for the rest of the gang! (Maybe we can *ease* them into it a little when we go back?) ;D
Thanks for a really entertaining evening on sooo many levels, Life Alive Cafe!! Will be back next visit for sure!
Pros: VERY healthy fare!!, Fun and funky atmosphere!, Nice vibes from staff!!
Cons: Not for newbies or wannabes!!, Somewhat pricey for the portions
Guest
kobi
Points +24
Yumm! - Edit
My friend and I went here for a light lunch. We got The Adventurer in a wrap and a cup of corn chowder. The Adventurer was absolutely delicious- try it now!!! Mmm I could eat it all day!! The corn chowder was not so good, but then again I'm not really a fan of corn chowder anyways.
Read moreThe ambiance and feel makes you feel happy and light- we will definitely be back!! If you're looking for a local hot spot- come here!
Pros: Delicious food, Great vibe, Good Portions
Cons: Hard to navigate menu
Guest
futurefossils
Points +349
Favorite place in Lowell - Edit
I frequent this place when I'm in down town Lowell. They have some of the best vegan food I have ever had. My favorite dish would have to be the green goddess. The smoothies are excellent and the people who work there are always very friendly and warm. Speaking of warm, why is this place always so hot?
Read moreI love the art work and the products they sell.
Guest
blaineb
Points +93
Like Food used to be in the 60's - Edit
Wonderful options and everything was fresh. One almost negative was the clean water glasses had a chlorine odor but they moved fast and apologized profusely!
Read morePros: Large portions, Fresh
Cons: Too many choices
Guest
vegk8
Points +35
My go-to place for a quick and nourishing meal - Edit
I have been a patron of Life Alive in Lowell for quite awhile now. I take evening classes nearby, so I eat there almost weekly. My favorite dish is the green goddess. I am working my way through the menu and have tried most of their warm meals. The green tea lattes and hemp vanilla lattes are all great as well. They use honey as a sweetener in their lattes, but you can request maple syrup or agave as an alternative sweetener. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious. The staff are friendly and helpful. Their bulk section is pretty awesome. I buy my nutritional yeast and protein powder here. Definitely my favorite place to eat in Lowell and the surrounding area.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Healthy, Great food
Guest
pisceschic
Points +104
Vegan Deliciousness - Edit
I tried Life Alive today on my drive from NH to CT. I'm so glad I checked it out. The decor and ambiance are very relaxing and inspirational. There is plenty of seating. It seems like a great place to get a meal or have coffee and chat or read. The 2 staff members were polite and helpful.
Read moreThe food was very tasty. I had butternut squash soup (great flavor but luke warm), the Alchemist salad (extremely flavorful, and the Taster Plate was the perfect portion), and a good iced coffee with soy milk. My non-vegan wife enjoyed her Kiddie Quesadilla and Romantic wrap. We couldn't decide what to get because there were so many interesting options. The only non-vegan ingredients are hard-boiled eggs and cheddar cheese, which you can substitute with Daiya. We would drive an hour and a half back there.
Pros: Very vegan friendly, Healthy, Delicious
Cons: Luke-warm soup, Didn't see any homemade baked goods
Guest
nhfoos
Points +29
Epic fail! avoid if your polite and easy going. - Edit
This place has some sort of weird cult following or something, just don't get it. my friend totally loves the place and recommended it, the food is good but not great! from the moment I walked in the atmosphere was very cold and unfriendly, full moon maybe i don't know. there were 3 people working, one was very nice and asked how everything was the other two thinks their poop don't stink, crabby snooty attitudes from them. like I said the food was decent but the service really sucked which to me makes the whole experience worth stopping in, for that alone I will never go back. not only were the employees rude but so were the patrons, a woman walks in well after we were seated and eating, sits behind me and totally slams her chair into mine numerous times to get me to move my chair or trying to tell me something, no clue. there were 10 other tables not being used but she had to sit right behind me and be a jerk for no reason. one of the worst experiences ever had while dining, reading the other reviews leave me to think the authors work there. I'd give this place a O zero if the site would let me.
Read morePros: Food was OK, some Organic foods
Cons: Workers, Patrons, Rude
Guest
theveggievoice
Points +42
Perfect - Edit
Funky vibe, healthy food that's entirely delicious...what's not to love? They even drew a heart on the paper wrapper of our sandwich. :-) Great stop on a road trip through New England.
Read morePros: fusion of health + flavor, great atmosphere, customizable dishes
Cons: very very busy at lunch time
Guest
The Vegan Review
Points +48
Life Alive - Edit
Their dishes are incredibly and intensely flavorful. The Swami and the Rebel are my favorites. Their raw salad, the Mystic, is delectable as well. I've come with family and friends and the servers are always friendly and polite. The atmosphere is bright and vibrant. Original art adorns the walls and they have a little bit of a health food shop going. Life Alive definitely lives up to its name!
Read morePros: tasty food, friendly staff, great atmosphere
Guest
Kate811
Points +25
Awesome. - Edit
I loved this place from the moment I walked in. It's very pretty and the menu is awesome! I ordered the Emperor in a bowl and returned the next week to order it in a wrap! They have a lot of warm and cold foods as well as different teas and a great collection of smoothies. This is a place you must go!
Read morePros: Great Food, Great Selection
Cons: Must purchase minimum $12 to use credit
Guest
annice
Points +102
longer summer hours - Edit
They are open one our longer each day in the summertime as we discovered on our last visit. We enjoy eating here whenever we visit our family in the area. The food is great, and the portions large.
Read moreGuest
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