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A fully gluten free/peanut free eatery. (Allergy sensitive eating in a fun and engaging "eatertainment" experience.) Family owned, locally staffed and community focused. Has a full bakery, ice cream, smoothie & food menus, which could include rice & bean bowls, salads, tacos, burgers and more. Reported closed November 2023.
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315 W State St (at Between 2nd and 3rd St), Geneva, Illinois, USA, 60134
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- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 13 Nov 2023 by TheWaterBarGeneva
Update business info -
Added by TheWaterBarGeneva on 29 Nov 2022
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19 Reviews
First Review by TheWaterBarGeneva
RacheePoo
Points +84
High Hopes. Big Let Down. - Edit
Proper training would be helpful. Fresh ingredients didn't match the stock photos they share on social media and their website. Everything I recieved was cold, wet sloppy and beige, or dry and bland. The employees exhausted me, one with overly high energy, who were smack talking orders coming in, wouldn't let me read the menu, was more interested in talking about himself and his life story, and was taunting my children. The other who seemed uninformed and didn't really know what he was doing, he also was trying to get me to accept the items he made that were incorrect so he didn't have to make another. Ended up dumping everything in the garbage and left with anxiety. I really wanted to like this place, but we were totally let down.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-24
Pros: Nice atmosphere. (The space only), Lots of options?, Great for people who want a non-alcoholic drink?
Cons: Cold. Bland. Not fresh. Prepackaged ingredients., Unfortunately, the staff was unprofessional., Service was stressful.
Guest
JuliaGoolia1
Points +20
Anyone have a mop and soap? - Edit
Dirty floor. Food pieces abound! Literally pieces-not crumbs-of food in many places. I was the only one there-clearly they have time to push a broom around during the day. Floor hasn’t been moped in days since muddy footprints and it hadn’t rained for days. Girl behind counter nice but didn’t have any nutritional info on dessert items. No calorie info! I wish this site and Google would crack down on fake/favored reviews. To the owner:everyone sees your pattern. You’re not winning people over by writing your own reviews or having friends/employees do so. Watch, after this review, there will be 5 stars to follow. On Google alone seven just today after the 2 star was left. Don’t insult our intelligence!
Read morePros: Nice staff
Cons: Dirty, No calorie info, Baked good two days old per employee
Guest
VeganFam3
Points +237
Great Go To! - Edit
We tried many of the items on the menu. Lots of options and everything is vegan and gluten free!!! Loved how we didn’t have to worry about customizing for GF or Vegan!
Read moreDisappointed at how much plastic is used though and there is no option to recycle there. Hurt us to trash so much plastic containers, cups and silverware.
Pros: Everything is Gluten Free and Vegan!! , Cute petite restaurant, Comfortable chairs for dining
Cons: Please recycle and do not use so much plastic!!!
Guest
Pattynogluten
Points +16
Only place my daughter and I can eat safely - Edit
Really enjoyed myself with my daughter here. The bakery case was full of treats that we could surprisingly eat all of and we had the best vegan tacos I've ever had anywhere.
Read moreThere was a little bit of a wait. But we went for dinner on a Saturday so to be expected. The food tasted great and my daughter and I didn't get sick. I waited until the next morning to do this review to see if my daughter and I got sick. But we didn't! So, that's a huge win for our family.
Highly recommend for those with food allergies.
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-06
Pros: Actually gluten free, Didn't get sick , Tacos were great
Cons: Little bit of a wait but not bad
Guest
TommyStar
Points +16
New Menu Is Amazing - Edit
Huge fan of the new burger and fries menu! I got the spicy banzai burger and the sweet potato fries and they were amazing. Make sure you get the toasted bun. Makes the burger a home run.
Read morePros: Amazing Burgers, Love The French Fries, Caters to Allergy Needs
Cons: Parking on State Street
Guest
MaryMrsBerry
Points +23
Love That They Keep Innovating - Edit
I have been to a lot of vegan and gluten free restaurants around the US and let's be honest, some of them are just kind of meh. But then one of my girl friends told me about the water bar and I have to say I am impressed with what they keep doing.
Read moreThere are little to no other vegan and gluten free food options in the area and it is nice to have one in my own backyard that is actually trying to break the mold and bring us something new and innovative.
You can tell they had some growing pains in the beginning but I go quite frequently and it seems like they are really getting it together. I love coming for coffee and donuts on the weekend and have dabbled in a few of their food options; which I've never had anywhere else and I enjoy myself each time I go.
Even if you are not vegan or gluten free, I would say go support this small business as they ae doing great things and they have more options than I have ever seen at a vegan restaurant before. So, they have something for everyone from the kids to the adults.
Pros: Lot and lots of options, Try the tacos they are amazing, A little wait if you order food but worth it
Cons: Parking on State St can be iffy
Guest
MeghanaB
Points +68
Disappointing - Edit
It was honestly very disappointing! My family had gone months prior without me and told me it was really not that good but I begged them to go back with me because I wanted to make the judgement myself. Unfortunately, they were right. I love to see vegan restaurants and was excited to try it but they did not do vegan food justice. Our poké bowls were bland, it felt like they just threw ingredients together with plain rice and my pieces of mango were weirdly fizzy. The smoothie bowl my moms boyfriend got was completely watered down, not thick like a normal smoothie bowl. The guy behind the desk was pretty indifferent to our questions and not very friendly. I also had heard him say whilst making the smoothie bowl training an employee that the consistency was not normally what a smoothie bowl should be but it was still served to us. I hate to leave a bad review and I do not normally do so but hopefully they can improve in the future.
Read moreGuest
OpheodrysAllison
Points +277
Refreshing and tasty! - Edit
We got take out from the Water Bar, an all vegan and allergen-free restaurant. The atmosphere is nice and airy and the staff were friendly, with great service. We ordered the Surf and Turf Poke Bowl, and the Cheezeburger Tacos. The bbq jackfruit in the poke bowl was delicious. I have never eaten actual shrimp, but my partner said the flavor and texture were very good. The tacos were delicious and it looks like they made the taco shells in house using a waffle maker, which was innovative. The tacos have a great flavor. We didn’t get any bakery items or drinks, but the selection looked amazing!
Read morePros: Refreshing flavors, Delicious jackfruit in the surf and turf poke bowl, Great service/friendly staff
Cons: ordering online through Tost was glitchy
Guest
teajester
Points +44
Wouldn't go back - Edit
Had the surf and turf and Mexican bowl. 80percent of the bowl was rice (not cooked enough). The sauce didn't taste good and the fake meat was still cold the inside.
Read morePros: The tacos we saw on the neighbors table looked 👍
Guest
MichaelTelesky
Points +1322
100% vegan! - Edit
Wow, so many great options. The tacos were a good size and tasted great: the shrimp and Nashville tofu were my favorite. He made a custom peanut butter shake and the tofutti donut was amazing! Will be back for sure.
Read moreGuest
AnaO
Points +22
Really wanted to like this place, but unfortunately we won’t be back. - Edit
The staff is friendly and the place is clean but the food just isn’t that great. We ordered a few bowls and a few tacos and everything was dry and bland. Yes it was colorful and looked pretty but lacked severely in taste. Perhaps they make their money on the pastries, and shakes, not sure. Hoping they can improve the taste of their savory foods.
Read morePros: Friendly staff , Good selection of pastries and shakes
Cons: Bowls have no taste
Guest
TiffanyDunkin
Points +31
No Other Restaurant or Bakery Like It - Edit
I have been following The Water Bar since before they opened and they have improved everything so much in such a short time. I go to a lot of different vegan and gluten free establishments and I can honestly say there is not one that is better than The Water Bar.
Read moreThey don't just do one thing well, they have more offerings then any other vegan or gluten free place I have ever been too and I just tried their new spring menu and OMG is it so much better than I thought it would be. Fresh flavors, everything is made fresh and no worry of cross contamination is all I needed to hear!
Let me give you an honest review of the business from a mom with little kids. When they first opened their St. Charles location we could not have been more excited. Finally a place me and my family could go to and not have to worry about getting sick. It was a cute little place but did not offer much more than coffee, drinks and some bakery items. We would go on weekends but had to go elsewhere to get food.
When that closed, we were so bummed but saw that they were opening a bigger location in Geneva. It was worth the wait! The cookies are the best cookies I have ever tasted. Gluten free or otherwise. Their food is fresh and honestly has great flavor. The food isn't drowning in sauce but if you love fresh food an flavors it is the place for you. The new ice cream and shakes is a game changer for my children. We cannot go anywhere and I mean anywhere to get them ice cream or a shake due to Celiac.
Honestly, the water bar has been a game changer for my family and I. It is the only place we can go and not only all get something different but can enjoy ourselves care free. Thank you for existing and we are so excited to keep following you as you continue to grow.
Pros: I go almost everyday for the bakery, The new food menu taste amazing, The staff are super sweet and helpful
Cons: It can get very busy sometimes but it's worth it
Guest
KarenManfrede
Points +52
Meh - Edit
I so wanted to love this place. A vegan restaurant is desperately needed in these parts. The sweets and drinks are good. I’ve tried 5 dishes from their new food menu and I hate to say it, but it ain’t great. Simple, basic, boring. Hopefully they will improve over time. I want them to be successful.
Read moreGuest
WTFlexitarian
Points +151
Nice Surprise - Edit
In my quest for the best veganized chkn n waffles, i happened upon this place. It’s pleasantly surprising different take: waffkes are in the shape of the taco with all the fixings inside! I got the #7 maple chikn, and the added syrup was just right.
Read more#plantbasedfoodie #plantbasedfoodies #flexitarian
Guest
Supermarette
Points +38
Good vegan options - Edit
I love that it’s family owned local business. Good selection of vegan AND gluten free. My husbands burger was very tasty (spicy in a good way). My tofu sandwich was just ok - I was expecting fresh apples in it but it was like an apple pie filling, way too sweet for my palette. Plus the bread also tasted sweet. Next time I’ll try one of the bowls.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan and gluten free options
Cons: The bread tasted too sweet
Guest
Mamamaria
Points +28
Best of the best gluten free & vegan restaurants - Edit
I actually just went here with Emily for lunch and everything she said is true. This is truly a hidden gem in the Tri-City area and I could not say enough great things about the food and the staff. I never knew a place like this existed but I am so happy that it does. Makes me and my allergy sensitive family so happy to be able to go out and eat together again.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-01-23
Pros: Great Service, Quick response, Great Offerings
Guest
EmilyMiles
Points +20
The BEST Allergy sensitive place ever! - Edit
Long time fan of following this company grow and let me tell you the Water Bar is the best of the best when it comes to catering to the allergy sensitive community; like me and my family. Never have I found a place where my entire family could eat without getting sick. But we've been able to eat everything here with no issues! I highly highly recommend them to anyone that is allergy sensitive or has Celiac. There is nothing better.
Read morePros: You won't get sick, Caters to the allergy sensitive, Vegan, Gluten free and nut free
Cons: Parking is a little hard on State Street
Guest
jordnpurp
Points +309
Delicious shakes and fresh tasting food - Edit
The shakes we so good! We had cookie dough and strawberry cheesecake. They were made with a coconut ice cream base and we both delicious! We are the burgers (surf and turf and Nashville tofu) they had these cornbread like buns that were crumbly and messy but so good so we made sure to have utensils to eat it all lol. We also had a cheesy waffle burger which was really good too and very fresh tasting veg. Also got some delicious baked goods to go!
Read morePros: All vegan, Very fresh tasting, Lots of options and desserts
Cons: Not a lot of cheese sauce on waffle burger
Guest
TheWaterBarGeneva
Points +216
One Stop Shop For All Your Vegan + Gluten Free + Peanut Free Needs - Edit
The Water Bar in Geneva has everything you could possible want in one restaurant. Grab a pastry, get an alternative milk -milk shake or trying something fun with their new waffle tacos. The sky is really the limit here and everything is fresh and very tasty.
Read morePros: Amazing Staff, Large Variety of Items, Great location
Cons: Parking is sometimes limited on State Street
TheWaterBarGeneva
Morning! Unfortunately, it appears that you may not have been to our restaurant as you can see our restaurant or photo booth in the back of these photos. But we appreciate you thinking they look good enough to be fake. Means our marketing team is doing their job.
Read moreGuest
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