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Morningside
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Vegan
Veganic bakery, cafe, and bookstore by Fulford Harbour Ferry Terminal. Cafe serves meals like bowls, wraps, woodfired pizza, sandwiches, soups, salads, vegan cheese platters; beverages like smoothies, coffee, tea and herbal tonics. Bakery makes heritage sourdough breads plus pastries, cookies, tarts,and treats. Supports local organic farmers. Sept 2022, reported no longer serving meals. Please confirm and let HappyCow know. Open Mon 11:00am-5:30pm, Wed-Sat 11:00am-5:30pm.
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107 Morningside Rd, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, V8K 2P2
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Last update on 19 Aug 2023 by vegoutvictoria
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23 Reviews
First Review by Lek
JakeWall
Points +26
Powerfully sensory Chai and Chocolate - Edit
We had Chai drinks and sampled a chocolate bar. We were blown away by the genuine flavour of both
Read morePros: Chai, Chocolate
Guest
drae
Points +82
😬 - Edit
It's a great place if you love verbal abuse 😅
Read moreThe food was OK, but not worth the emotional labor or money.
Updated from previous review on 2024-04-04
Guest
NancyMeatlessMeetup
Points +169
100% worth a visit to Morningside - Edit
I have been to Morningside several times and would not miss eating there for the world. The food and the decor are truly exceptional. The negative reviews regarding the customer service are not simply the complaints of over-pampered tourists. There's more to it than simply overtaxed staff having to answer the same questions over and over about there being no dairy for the coffee. It is entirely possible to get the worst restaurant customer interaction of your life there. So what? You'll have a story to tell! But meanwhile you will have had a once in a lifetime experience in a very cool place with absolutely delicious food. Just go fully informed.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-09-04
Pros: Delicious vegan food, Wonderful atmosphere, Ethical establishment
Cons: Verbal abuse, Being thrown out, Expensive
mysticsonic
I can't tell if you are trolling or not haha.
Read moreNancyMeatlessMeetup
Not trolling. The many negative reviews are legit but they mainly relate to customer treatment. I would not visit Salt Spring Island without stopping in at Morningside. It's a very interesting place with great food.
Read moreGuest
oduncan
Points +26
Mean - Edit
I’m a vegan living close by and I never go here after one horrible experience where my kids were yelled at and I watched another patron get kicked out in a way that was so mean that was almost comical. Go next door to Rock Salt - they have lots of vegan options.
Read morePros: Cute ambiance , You’ll have a great story to tell your friends
Cons: Truly mean. , Greasy food , Expensive
Guest
Altar
Points +28
Excellent food and the people provide very good service. - Edit
I have always found the staff to be very pleasant and very compassionate towards the plight of non-human animals. The books for sale are well chosen.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-07-29
Pros: Very tasty and delicious., The no-nonsense couple are hard working & decent.
Cons: There is only one Morningside
Guest
sixdifferentways
Points +30
Stay far, far away! - Edit
I would give this place 0 stars if it would let me. Awful humans serving way overpriced -- mediocre at best -- vegan food. My vegan family was verbally abused and threatened by the owners. I've since learned this is standard behaviour for them. I have no clue how they stay in business but I know I will never ever go back.
Read moreCons: Abusive Service, Overpriced food
Guest
MikeUrsel
Points +204
Stay Away! - Edit
OMG! Please do yourself a favour and stay as far away from Morningside Cafe as you can! We just had the experience that so many here and other sites (we found too late) talk about! Do the owners have Tourette’s?? - I’m not sure that could even explain it and if they do someone should post a note so you can brace yourself. As far as I can estimate I’ve eaten out somewhere between 30,000 and 38,000 times in my life and that was the single worst experience I’ve ever had! ...and we go out of our way to support and promote all vegan establishments!
Read moreThis place is disgraceful and does more harm than good to the vegan community.
I can’t even begin to describe how badly we were treated.
Pros: None
Cons: Ridiculously expensive
BrooklynFowler
Argggg this sounds like a truly horrible experience. I’m looking for recommendations for Salt Spring Island and will skip this spot.
Read moreSmall note, I have Tourette’s and would literally never just yell at someone. Yelling is a choice, tics are not.
Guest
PFeeley
Points +38
Good Morningside! - Edit
I met up with friends at the cafe for lunch. I enjoyed the space and the food. I had their Vegan burger. It was simply delicious and I had a drink produced locally. Despite other reviews, I did not think that the service was poor. The lady serving us was not the standard fare when it comes to connecting with clients but she warmed up and was pleasant. My experience there with my friends was good. The prices are higher then expected. I will return.
Read morePros: Good variety of Vegan food. , Cosiness of the venue , Proximity of terminal. Easy access for travellers
Cons: More expensive then expected. , Parking not easy being so close to the ferry ter , Wishing that they opened earlier for breakfast.
Guest
MarcKemper
Points +18
We had a very unpleasant experience at this place. The lady who prepared the - Edit
food was outright disrespect and rude. Prices are ridiculous and outrageous. $20 for a bagel! Highway robbery! I would not recommend this place! I would urge people to stay away from this place! People like this shouldn’t be in the hospitality industry.
Read moreGuest
VeggieMike
Points +132
Brutal, Terrible Human Being - Edit
Embarrassing to the movement. A real shame in fact that these people represent vegans to so many non vegans on a daily basis. The restaurant gets so much ferry traffic from average people all day long and no doubt people leave thinking all vegans must be absolute twats like this couple.
Read moreI don't care if the food is good. These idiots don't deserve my money or yours. Go somewhere else on the island or wait till you get to the other side of your journey. These people are just friggin awful and will ruin your mood and possibly your trip. Just horrendous, horrendous humans.
Pros: Great for people that like being treated like crap, Awesome if you like flies everywhere
Cons: Awful Humans, Expensive
Guest
nattytatton
Points +414
Misunderstood Sweetheart - Edit
Having read many negative reviews, I was a little nervous as to what to expect coming to this bakery. What I discovered was completely the opposite to what I had read and I am so grateful that I gave this place a chance. The owner is a passionate animal activist working on the front line to educate and save lives. She makes her food and sources very well. I ate a wrap and salad, which had so much flavour, A cookie and a cardamom latte. I brought my own containers which I think demonstrated that I share the owners environmentalism. She charges for paper cups because they cost her money and they come at a cost to the environment. I respect her for this decision yet I know many customers are not used to taking responsibility for their actions and don’t appreciate being forced to. As I said before, this woman is an activist working on the front line and I commend her for her passion and hard work against all odds. My husband and I had a very nice few conversations with her, and I advise anyone to go in and experience this fantastic vegan bakery. Go in with your heart open and engaged honestly with the concept. Don’t expect to be pampered in a capitalist consumerist fashion. It is honest and warm heartfelt hard work. She runs the whole thing with her husband, no staff. It is impressive
Read morePros: Vegan options, tasty,organic , Rare books, amazing activists as owners, Cool decor and convenient location
Cons: None
Guest
namuyeoni1025
Points +15
ok food, awful service - Edit
food is ok and chai is pretty good but the lady who works there or owns is obnoxious and rude. I would never go back.
Read moreGuest
AnnaPenn
Points +20
Terrible customer service - Edit
There is an older lady that works there, and she is very grumpy and honestly just mean, haha. Made for an unpleasant experience every time I went there.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Cons: Pricey but makes sense, they use good ingredients, Poor customer service
Guest
EcoReality
Points +18
Best Vegan Burger, but Get Extra Napkins! - Edit
Their vegan burger is to die for, but it's so rich and juicy that it will be running down your face and fingers if you don't get enough napkins!
Read moreAlan & Manon suffer no fools, and sometimes they get marked down because someone didn't get treated "right." It's basically a staff of one, so keep that in mind if you're expecting "wait on ME" service right when the ferry comes in. Rather, visit in-between ferries, and you'll find them more relaxed and willing to chat!
Pros: Tasty food, Excellent selection of books, Alan and Manon, when they aren't overwhelmed!
Cons: Ferry traffic makes things hectic every two hours, Pure vegan: I'd like a milk latte and some cheese!, Parking a problem throughout Fulford Harbour
Guest
rcommand
Points +16
Best Burger Ever - Edit
My first time visiting this wonderful restaurant.
Read morewon't be my last.
Can't wait to go back and sample other menu items...
Came highly recommended.
Very Cool place...love the atmosphere.
Guest
dontbedaft
Points +609
Amazing food - Edit
We drove across Salt Spring to find this place and arrived just when an outgoing ferry was due so initially got a bit lost trying to find it due to all the ferry traffic, but when that had cleared it was very obvious and right across from the ferry which is signposted from all over the island.
Read moreThe decor is an experience unto itself and my kids really enjoyed spotting little details. and jokes (Kermit the frog is among the philosophers quoted on the walls).
We'd arrived on the first day that there was only the cook working without a server and she was initially clearly stressed about this but the owner was there and stepped in to smooth things over and ensure that we had a great experience at the cafe.
Each dish was a very generous size and they seemed to encourage sharing which worked very well for us - we ordered several dishes and then got to try a selection of things (including desserts)
The food was really great and presented beautifully. We also stocked up on a couple of their creamy vegan cheeses to try at home and they were really delicious too.
Pros: Imaginative food, beautifully presented
Cons: Proximity to ferry terminal can affect access
Guest
Josensei
Points +208
Great Vegan Option on Saltspring - Edit
This is a popular cafe/bookstore right outside the Fulford Harbour Ferry Terminal. Great selection of vegan menu items and a very popular place for locals as well as tourists waiting for a ferry. It's a very funky-looking place. There are a few outdoor tables and a large amount of the area is devoted to the bookstore part of the business.
Read morePros: great vegan menu, convenient to ferry terminal
Guest
HannahVancouver
Points +22
Amazing quality & atmosphere - Edit
I popped into Morningside this afternoon for lunch after a hike. The service was fast and efficient, as was the wait for the food. Food was delicious and generously portioned for the price. Having the bookstore inside was a really nice touch. Will definitely be going back!
Read morePros: plenty of seating, lots of menu options, big portions
Guest
EmmaCebuliak
Points +1866
Cheesy Vegan Sandwiches - Edit
My family and I grabbed sandwiches here to go before hopping on the ferry. We'd heard terrible things about the customer service, but they weren't particularly rude to us (although definitely a little brisk). The sandwiches we tried were both really good, although very oily and rich (perfect for new plant-based eaters, but not something I'd want to have often). My parents loved them. The space was funky and interesting, with lots of great books to peruse or buy; definitely a relaxing place to chill.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-07-12
Pros: Good for new vegans, Cool building, Great vegan cheese
Cons: Brisk service, Oily / Not Very Healthy
Guest
Acouplevegans
Points +20
Incredible vegan food! - Edit
I dont understand the bad reviews. Have been to alot of vegan places across north america and there food is some of the best. The chai tea was really tasty. We also bought fresh bread and cheese. The owner took the time to explain to us how to keep the bread fresh and even packed an ice pack with our cheese! Very much enjoyed the atmosphere and the experience, we will visit often. Grab a tea or baked good as well as one of the many excellent books and pass the time until the next ferry or just enjoy the day!
Read morePros: Food was incredible, Neat atmosphere, Very helpful staff
Cons: Wish it was on Vancouver Island
Guest
JustinMorrison
Points +28
An amazing vegan experience - Edit
The food at Morningside is nothing short of amazing.
Read moreMy wife and I embraced Veganism at the start of 2017, and I had assumed that the movement was fairly well established, and probably well catered for on restaurant menus, but this is far from the case. You're lucky if 10% of the average menu is vegan friendly.
So to find a 100% vegan restaurant was an absolute godsend for us, and one that we indulged not once but twice over our short weekend on Salt Spring.
I'm not a huge fan of the substitute style of veganism, which seeks alternative 'cheeses' and 'meats', because I think you should embrace a plant-based diet in all it's rich variety, without looking back. Morningside however, is very much about meat and cheese alternatives. So I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything we tried was just out of this world, including the 'fish' sandwich. Incredible flavours carried on incredible bread.
I really enjoyed browsing the book selection at Morningside too. It's great to find a business that is about so much more than just commerce, and one that espouses it's values so passionately.
Can't wait to explore more of the amazing menu on future trips to Salt Spring.
Pros: Amazing food, 100% vegan, A socially conscious business
Cons: Service isn't especially fast, A little pricey
Guest
AliciaMary
Points +64
Fabulous First Impressions - Edit
This was my first stop on Salt Spring and a real treat. I had a delicious burger and smoothie. Delightful atmosphere.
Read moreGuest
Lek
Points +59
Amazing - Edit
Whenever my partner and I have a bit of expendable money, we splurge on the ferry over to Saltspring, to enjoy the amazing food at Morningside. The owner is very knowledgeable, and she cooks up some AMAZING sandwiches and hot beverages. The cafe itself is eccentrically decorated using many natural materials, making it such a nice place to enjoy our wonderful meal.
Read morePros: The best sandwiches ever!, The owner is very knowlegable., The atmosphere is perfect.
Guest
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