• Portage Bay Cafe - University

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  • White Veg-options
Lacto
Ovo
American
Organic
Beer/Wine
Gluten-free
Breakfast
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Breakfast and brunch restaurant with two vegan dishes on the menu which are farmer's hash with tofu and sauteed mushrooms and banana pancakes. Gets busy but online reservation is available. Open Mon-Fri 8:00am-1:30pm, Sat 8:00am-2:00pm.


Venue map for Portage Bay Cafe - University
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10 Reviews

First Review by VeganUSA

lady3jane

Points +250

Vegan
21 Oct 2023

Few options, bland

We had the farmers hash, veganized. They do tofu and mushrooms for vegan. It was a couple small slices of plain tofu - no marinade or seasoning. The veggies also seemed to have no seasoning at all.
Flavorless, boring, very disappointing. We brought the leftovers home, added herbs, just egg, and chao and it was much better. Bread was dense and dry and came with no butter, jam, or anything.

We also tried the banana pancakes. They are made with rice flour, which made them pretty gummy. Not great. Passable, in a pinch. The fruit bar for toppings on the pancakes was cool though! Great idea, loads of delicious fresh fruit.



(We actually went to the west seattle location, but that is not listed on happy cow and I’m not going to the effort to list it when I find the restaurant to be a poor choice for vegans)

Updated from previous review on 2023-10-21

Cons: Expensive , Flavorless

LadyRen

Points +83

Mostly Veg
24 Sep 2023

Tasty Pancakes!

I went here twice during my trip to Seattle, since it was near where I stayed. I personally loved the vegan pancakes. They were fresh and tasty. The fruit bar was a nice touch to add toppings. I tried the farmers hash, the second time I went, and it was okay. I had to doctor it up a bit, for more flavor.

SharaMarquis

Points +20

Vegan
06 Sep 2023

Cute little cafe

There aren't a lot of vegan options but I thoroughly enjoyed the hash with tofu. Super flavorful and a good selection of veggies! Plan on returning to try the banana pancakes.

00misha

Points +306

Vegan
26 Jun 2023

Farmer’s Hash is Gross

I got the veganized farmer’s hash (they replace the eggs with tofu) and it was honestly gross. Just a bunch of salty limp vegetables with 2 chunks of flavorless (yet quite eggy) tofu on top. Honestly I never write one-star reviews but I know this place is popular, so vegans be aware that it is far from ideal. Also, their vegan pancakes are gluten-free, and I don’t like when restaurants try to do the double vegan gluten-free option as if we are one in the same.

Pros: A couple labelled vegan options

Cons: Few options, Expensive

SarahMays

04 Jul 2023

Totally agree with you about the Farmer’s Hash!! So disappointing.

TreeEater3000

Points +40

Vegan
08 Apr 2023

I always regret going here

Their vegan hash tastes like they plucked out select veggies from a compost heap. Their banana pancakes taste gummy and powdery. These are the only vegan options when I went here. Do not recommend, I always regret going here.

Moneyz

Points +465

Vegan
31 Jul 2022

Yummy pancakes!

I’d definitely recommend this place for the banana pancakes and roasted potatoes. They don’t have too many vegan options, but the options they do have are clearly labeled v . If they added a few more vegan items and they were just as good as the pancakes it would be an even better spot to eat. They have a wonderful fully stocked fruit bar with almonds, walnuts, raisins, shredded coconut, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and more that is included with any of their pancakes/French toast etc. The fruit bar is definitely what makes the meal. I’d return just for the pancakes, tried the Buddha bowl and it was just okay.

Updated from previous review on 2022-07-29

Pros: Fruit bar!!, Delicious pancakes , Fast service

Cons: Lack of vegan options.

yogafoodie

Points +55

Vegetarian
10 Jul 2022

My favorite breakfast spot

Portage Bay wins my heart with great coffee, multiple kinds of mouth watering gluten free pancake offerings and a fresh berry buffet. There is a vegan Buddha bowl, vegan hash, oatmeal, granola as well as imaginative egg and meat based brunch options. No wonder the place is always packed with a line out the door. Worth the wait.

Pros: Lots of vegan options , Lots of gluten free options , Did I say great coffee ☕

Cons: Be prepared to wait for a table

SarahMays

Points +1179

Vegan
17 Nov 2021

Some vegan options

This was a cute restaurant with great, heated outdoor seating. For brunch, it had 1 vegan entree (Farmer’s Daughter’s Hash) and a vegan pancake option (and an add your own topping pancake bar). I had the hash, it was good but a little boring. I wish there was more tofu and more flavor! Overall, it was a nice place to get brunch with a friend who really wanted meat options.

Pros: Vegan choices, Heated, covered outdoor seating

Cons: Vegan options are pretty standard/boring

akitt

Points +130

Vegan
13 Jun 2021

Great brunch!

We had an awesome breakfast here— hash was so flavorful and pancakes were perfection. Big bowl of berries with pancakes. Excellent coffee too.

VeganUSA

Points +7589

Vegan
31 Dec 2018

Traditional breakfast and diner fare in the U-district

We were glad to find this place as all the other vegan options were not open early for a start-of-the-day breakfast. The tofu hash is the one entree option for vegans; it is delicious and filling. We also observed an all-you-can-eat fruit bar that went with the pancakes. Lots of seating and excellent service. Also affordable.

Pros: Tofu entree option for breakfast , Great service , Opens early in U-district




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