Vegan soul food restaurant with full bar and weekday happy hour. Menu offers choices like bbq tofu, southern fried tofu, mac n cheese, red beans and rice, corn bread, potato salad, gumbo, spaghetti with falafel, and burgers. Makes cakes and cookies. Holds cooking classes. Black-owned. Est. 2009. Reported closed October 2023.
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301 Broadway (at Jack London Square), Oakland, California, USA, 94607
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Last update on 20 Oct 2023 by themuppetlibrarian
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Added by PhytoFan on 19 Jul 2009
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196 Reviews
First Review by michelleg
vegangirl22
Points +132
Wonderful food - Edit
This place was absolutely wonderful. I had a southern fried tofu burger, which was really good. I pretty much like anything fried and anything with tofu, so it was perfect.
Read morePros: Fried tofu
Guest
ChloeGross
Points +112
Not that good - Edit
I was there on Thanksgiving so that might have affected the menu. Most of the food was salty and fatty. Too much carbs and fat and not enough flavor.
Read moreGuest
Ashni
Points +2385
Unique all vegan southern soul food.. bit stodgy for me... go when hungry! - Edit
Unique offering of all vegan southern soul food. Popular and full when we visited on a weekend, with a fun atmosphere.
Read moreIt was a bit overwhelming to make a choice so we went for a combination plate with black eyed beans, kidney beans, and barbecued tofu with cornbread; okra with fried tofu and corn grits; and a vegan mac n cheese.
The vegan mac n cheese was really good. Thought the okra was delicious, but found the corn grits heavy. Combo plate with the three options we chose was OK in flavour and quite stodgy. Would suggest coming to this place when really hungry as portions are quite large and I think combo plate could even be shared.
Tried the cayenne lemonade which was actually quite spicy! Was surprised this came in a plastic sealed bottle - not sure if it's freshly made..
This would be a 3.5 for me because I found some items too heavy and thought some flavours could be improved. As no half rating, I will give it 3.
Updated from previous review on 2018-06-10
Pros: Unique vegan restaurant, popular with fun atmosphere , some great dishes
Cons: Some items very stodgy/heavy so go when hungry, some flavours could be improved
Guest
Mitchel
Points +292
Vegan soul food! - Edit
I had the vegan country fried steak burger with fries and it was INCREDIBLE.
Read moreOne of my favorite meals I've ever eaten.
Guest
100%vegan
Points +652
So good! - Edit
Comfort food. This place has the best of everything. Biscuits and gravy to Mac and cheese you will be full when you leave. Be sure to take a dessert to go, their red velvet cake is the best.
Read morePros: Lots of options and sides, Reasonable prices
Guest
Worldvegkitchen
Points +1387
one of my favorite vegan spots - Edit
I frequent Souley Vegan. I absolutely love the local character, southern soul food served healthy. I’ve tried multiple things from the menu and everything is tasty. Zero complaints. You won’t find a grass sandwich here, this is for people who like flavor!
Read morePros: great food, great prices , great atmosphere and location
Guest
Sarah//Foster
Points +38
Mac and Cheese! - Edit
The best vegan Mac and Cheese I have ever had!
Read moreIt is kinda what I judge vegan places on, it’s such a big deal to me. Theirs is the absolute best!
Guest
alexandra_vegan
Points +1549
Perfect - Edit
Don't miss! This place is always full and the food is consistently delocious, service always fast and friendly. I especially enjoy the tofu bowl and the seitan steak, I almost always get these.
Read morePros: vegan
Cons: parking on street
Guest
@Kendraisoutside
Points +1105
good food great service - Edit
all the staff are very friendly and attentive. the food is good but not incredible. I was really excited about the cake but it wasn't too great.
Read moreGuest
bkekst
Points +30
Great Soul Food! Study the menu. - Edit
I ordered their Seiten Spicy Strips and their Zucchini "Crab" Cakes. Service was excellent and although these were both appetizers I couldn't finish everything and brought home half the Strips as leftovers.
Read moreThe Crab Cakes were awesome, at least if you like the light, fluffy, French style of crab cakes. The flavor was not really "crabby" but the texture was perfect. The cakes were held together perfectly and broke apart just like real crab cakes do. Along with the sauce it totally hit the spot for me. Now I still miss the real meaty New England style crab cakes, but I can't imagine a vegan version of that anyway.
The Spicy Strips tasted exactly like spicy boneless chicken wings but the texture left a bit to be desired. Maybe I'm just not a seiten person.
Folks should be aware, like many other soul food restaurants, it is mostly self-serve. There is a line to order and pay when you first walk in. If you want to eat in the restaurant you pick any table and get your own water. The menu requires a bit of studying the first time, there are no pictures and one needs to figure out if they're trying to emulate meat dishes for each item. There's no separate line for questions and they are very nice and informative when one is ordering, so the line can sometimes move slowly.
I will definitely return for the crab cakes and try other items on the menu.
Guest
Janayegranberry0704
Points +44
food that makes you wish you lived in Oakland. - Edit
Y’ALL!!! Get a load of this #BlackGirlMagic right here. Im in Oakland for weekend, to see my #Raiders play, and had no idea what I was going to eat. What I have learned in last 5 months of my veganism is that sometimes it’s going to be hard to find food..but THANK YOU Happy Cow! I found #SouleyVegan and I was off. Imagine how much happier I was when I found out it was black owned. Excuse me, black WOMAN owned. I got the combo plate: bbq tofu, mac n cheese and collard greens. I also ordered the zucchini crab cakes, red velvet cake and 2 drinks; cayenne lemonade and strawberry ginger. I can’t tell y’all how many time I said mmmmmh mmmmmh mmmmmh after every bite. The zucchini crab cakes were so good I ate 2/3 before I realized I didn’t use the sauce lol. If you’re ever in Oakland, do yourself a favor and stop by. Im stuffed!! Very friendly.
Read morePros: you get handed a menu in line and pay before. , cards accepted. friendly. owners nice.
Cons: n/a
Guest
VegManda
Points +473
Soul Food in a Funky Place - Edit
Made a special stop to try this place on the way to San Francisco. Great southern soul food done right. Food was delicious! The bathroom is a bit dirty and smells like a train station, but the food almost completely makes up for it. I had the Seitan "Steak" Sandwich and it was delicious. The Mac and Cheese is a Nooch sauce that is borderline too strong, but still good. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area!
Read morePros: 100% Vegan, Family Owned feeling, Nice staff
Cons: A little pricey, Nasty Bathroom
Guest
frazum
Points +1308
Soul food just as I remember it. - Edit
Being from GA, it was good to find a place serving soul food. Brought an omnivore friend with here and she enjoyed what she ordered. The cakes look scrumptuos. Staff and service was also good.
Read morePros: Good food at an affordable price.
Cons: None so far
Guest
Zombiecynthia
Points +7069
Homecook Meals and Love-Always - Edit
Always love coming in whenever I'm in Oakland. Great food... and why are the people always so nice?
Read moreI recommend the vegan Mac 'n' Cheese and of course the BBQ tofu! You won't regret it! They also have sample plates where you get everything and cornbread! Also, a great selection of desserts like... red velvet cake! Come on down!
Pros: Great friendly environment , Tasty Food!, Live music on Thursdays and adult vegan beverages!
Cons: hard to not want to stuff your face!
Guest
libbm
Points +24
Vegan comfort food - Edit
Had the 6" vegan chicken sub and seitan casserole, both phenomenal and filing. Super tasty comfort food, great atmosphere and wonderful service!
Read morePros: Full flavors, Wholesome, Great service
Guest
TheAllisonBauer
Points +267
Delicious! - Edit
Love this place! I've been here several times and so far love every thing I've tried!
Read moreGuest
galagarza89
Points +100
get the sample platter - Edit
Do yourself a favor and get the sample platter that comes with a little bit of everything. All of their food is amazing. Also recommend their chickn po'boy
Read moreGuest
nomadvegan
Points +16
First Visit - Edit
This is hands down the best vegan restaurant I have ever visited. Food is creative, flavorful and good portion size for price. Ambience is Southern Hospitality, vibrant music and service. Can't miss on a trip to Bay Area!
Read morePros: 100% Vegan
Cons: no cons
Guest
smilesamveggie
Points +192
nice food, big portions! - Edit
The portions here are big, maybe share some things! I ordered the southern tofu burger which was nice and the seitan spicy strips (really spicy be warned, and as big as the main portions!). I would definitely come back!
Read moreGuest
TraveLaika
Points +495
Very good food :) - Edit
On the 22nd of August I had a great burger and some zucchini crabs for starter, both very nice :) I really recommend to share (not for alone) the crabs and then the burger is great :D There are many more options, but I felt the burgers in this place deserve the most of the attention.
Read moreSo im going leave 4 points, cause the atmosphere is OK and the service is OK as well, you have to order from the bar. :D
Enjoy, definitely visit!
Pros: quick service, quite expensive
Cons: no table service
Guest
tylerhebron
Points +26
So Good!!! - Edit
Food was very good! Order a little or take some to go because, the food is very rich and will fill you very fast. Must try. My meat eating parents enjoyed it very much and are insisting we go back soon. Black Owned too.
Read morePros: Great Food (Flavorful), Friendly Staff
Guest
HuckleCat
Points +292
delicious comfort food! - Edit
I am obsessed with the southern fried tofu and the yams. Menu is not health-driven, but so tasty when you want a treat. And always friendly. Try to save room for dessert!
Read moreGuest
renakatz
Points +64
Comfort food - Edit
Souley Vegan is a place you go when you want fried comfort food. This is not the place if you want a salad. That being said, their crunchy fried tofu burger does come with a side salad.
Read moreThe main dishes are either burger/sandwich style or plates.
They also offer a wide variety of sides including cornbread, yams, and mac-n-cheese.
Pros: Hearty, filling, Southern comfort food, Nice ambience
Cons: Cakes and pastries aren't great
Guest
scienceofherself
Points +69
Good, but salty - Edit
I was thrilled to see jalapeño pop 'ems on the menu, I have craved them since I went vegan and haven't been able to find them. I was not disappointed! They were perfectly fresh, crunchy, spicy and cheesy. I also ordered a combo plate with country fried tofu, collards, and mashed potatoes. Unfortunately they gave me potato salad by mistake, and it was delivery so I couldn't return it. The tofu was good but the greens were very salty. It made my mouth tingle--not in a good way.
Read morePros: Delicious jalapeño pop 'ems
Cons: very salty greens
Guest
HalehNiazmand
Points +51
Super salty average food - Edit
The food we ordered we could not eat because it was horrifically salty. But even if the removed 9/10 of the salt, the food would be average at best.
Read morePros: location
Cons: salty, unimaginative
Guest
gmr24
Points +75
Great food - Edit
Souley vegan offers great comfort food and has friendly fairly fast service. Also they label gluten free foods.
Read morePros: Friendly service, Good food, Gluten free food labeled
Guest
MarkDavidson
Points +34
Souley Heaven - Edit
One of the very best vegan places i have ever tried.
Read moreThe Toasty burger and the spicy seitan strips are maybe the best thing i have ever had in any restaurant. Great Beer as welll!
Guest
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