Loved the special bulgar and chickpea salad, wonderful flavor. The Italian sausage tofu pasta captured the flavor and texture of the familiar replaced meat option and I love the artichoke hearts. Spaghetti was the right pasta choice. New chocolate ganache was rich and smooth. Coconut whipped cream was more like ice cream and a good add-on. Hope to visit again from CA Pros: Lot of quality choices, Cute but small establishment but glad for dine-in Cons: Bit of a wait for the food read more

See all

Great food and service. The vegan patty special was amazing, as was the pea soup, French onion soup, and coconut cake. Would definitely go again! read more

Last week we went to this restaurant, after we checked online that it was vegan. The website was very clear about "cash or check only". No other detailed to be aware of before visiting the place. We arrived, went inside, looked around, read the menu on the wall, and waited. After a reasonable amount of time waiting and noticing that there was a table empty for the 4 of us, I approached the staff. The responsed was very rude and I was told I had to wait. Ironically, she walks to the door, were my other family members were standing, and greeted a person that just came in, sat the person and took the order. Finally, we were sat at the table. We were looking at the menu in our hands when suddenly the chef at Bela restaurant in Northampton, Massachusetts literally thru us out of the restaurant. The chef came out of the kitchen, walked to our table and told us that we were not going to be serve. The chef added that we were wearing a perfume and "I am not dealing with this tonight". After a quick moment of shocked, we got up and started walking out. The one staff on the floor noticed we were leaving, and acknowledged that the chef told us to leave, but asked if we wanted to order to go. Obviously, no. If the chef has issues with perfume this should be noted in a very clear and obvious way, online, in person and by the staff. Let's keep in mind that none of us were wearing perfume or cologne. One of us had just put a some moisturizer that was Vegan no harmful, artificial or chemical add ons. If we had known, we would've made another decision. Instead, the chef decided to humiliate us, and discriminate against a frail elder, a person with brain nerve disability and a retired veteran. I have to give this restaurant -5 stars. Also, advice thst it us not handicap accessible, even the bathroom is down in the basement. read more

Very welcoming vibe. Thoughtful menu. This is a scent free zone, so don't put on perfume before you come!

Probably half the world would be come vegetarians if they could eat food like this! Amazing! We are so lucky to have this chef/owner locally. No wonder why they have been in business for 32 years. read more

Went there hoping to enjoy a vegan dinner but instead where thrown out of the location by the chef in a very nasty and unpleasant way. Very unprofessional treatment. We had never been there, had no knowledge of the fragrance issue and when we entered we were not informed of the situation by the person who sat us after ten minutes waiting. As we looked at the door we saw no sign. There was no information of this in Google. It is your responsibility to put up a large sign with this information! The person I assume is the chef came out of the kitchen straight to our table and talked at us in a very unprofessional, unpleasant/nasty tone. Saying she was not going to take it and somebody had on fragrance and she wasn't going to tolerate it. We were stunned by the remarks and it took us a minute to register what was being spoken at us. Needless to say I will never return and do not recommend going there if you want to be treated with respect and kindness. We did not feel the love! Oh and by the way it's a cash only location. Also we were a group of four including a frail elder, a retired veteran and a person with disabilities. read more

I became acquainted with Bela, tucked on a side street just off the main drag in the middle of Northampton, this afternoon. Immediately one of the 5 or 10 best restaurant experiences I've ever had. The vegan offerings I had all were brilliant: * the sublime, creamy split pea soup accented by bit of sweet potato which melted in the mouth; * the super yummy penne pasta in a tomato cashew cream sauce with tofu and spinach was a small symphony of delectable tastes and textures complementing each other; and * The side garden salad which I ordered after the entrée with a carrot miso dressing was a lovely way to finish. (I didn't see that it was paired with the entrée for a discount, because I ordered from the chalkboard on the wall - caught this later in the printed menu on my table. Ordered once I saw this.) Had jasmine tea and water with this meal, and it all went together well. Add to all that that it had the small, homey feel of the restaurant full of love. You could taste it in the food and feel it throughout the room. You could hear the tunes from the kitchen, which included a lot of Johnny Cash, which pleased me as a native Arkansan. It may be that I could go to this restaurant 100 times and never have as good a go of it as I had today. But something tells me that about 95 of them would be pretty close if not quite as good. All I can say is, if you've not been there, run, don't walk to Bela. If you've already been, you already know. read more

See all

I have been coming here for several years now and this has consistently been my number one place to go. I know I am guaranteed nothing short of an absolutely delicious fresh vegan meal with with outstanding friendly service. They always have a standard menu plus specials on the board. The chef is so creative with the meals and sauces that you will never be disappointed. Everything is just top notch from the salads to the meals to the desserts. It's a smaller cozy atmosphere inside with wonderful art on the walls. If you are looking for the perfect end of an evening then this is your stop. read more

See all

I wanted to like this place but it is only so so. Not bad at all - but that is not really good enough in a competitive restaurant environment. I did not have a bad meal but it was totally unspectacular. I am not a vegetarian but my daughter is and I was eating with her. We have frequented other vegetarian places together and I like them. Anyway, the thing with Bela is that nothing they served was something that I/we did not think we could do the same or better. They were out of a few items on the menu and we had not gone in late. Service was fine, food was fine, value fine ... but fine is not good enough. There are plenty of other vegetarian option in Noho, in fact ... almost every restaurant in town is vegetarian friendly. read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - Cute building, average fare - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

Lily takes Vegetarian and Vegan to a whole new level. With rice noodle and pasta options as well as brown and white rice, an interesting array of vegetable combinations some with a sauce, Bela delivers flavor combinations that are surprising with seitan and tofu options. There's a veggie cutlet that everyone mentions for a reason. Served over mashed potatoes and a gravy that rivals my own. It's that good. That said, I t's an odd, tiny little place where most of the choices are on a blackboard. There are probably only 8 tables and some are two tops. You can't make reservations and it's cash only, byob. Oh, and if you wear any fragrances, including hair products or deodorant, you may be asked to leave. read more

Bela is a wonderful, small, vegetarian restaurant that's been in Northampton for forever and ever, thankfully, and is one of those places that I rediscover every so often. Bela is one of those places that can easily make everyone in your party (vegetarian, vegan, and omniverous) feel satisfied. It's painted beautifully inside; right now it's blue. A blue interior! It feels like you're eating in the sky. The offerings are listed in colorful chalk on a big wall chalkboard. When it's crowded, it can feel cramped to this here pair of fat reviewers. But the food is delicious, and it is well worth the visit. It's a good place for a date (it's very GLBTQQIA-friendly), a lunch with a friend or two, or a snack alone. The last time we went there, one of us had miso soup and a big salad, and the other had a curry dish. Delicious, delicious, delicious. Note: they are cash-only, and are not open very late at night (8PM? 9PM?). You don't need a lot of cash, though, to eat here. read more

Amazing, fresh and innovative vegetarian cuisine. They always feature revolving entrees, pastas, salad dressings and soups. The options today included split pea and corn chowder for soup, sweet chili/coriander honey/creamy Gorgonzola for salad dressings and 4 entree and 4 pasta choices. Entrees are served with brown rice or rice noodles and noodle dishes are served with white, wheat or rice noodles. Always DELICIOUS. I've never had a bad meal here. The staff is extremely friendly and it's all fresh and local. I highly recommend. Just remember, cash only! read more

Bela is a purely vegetarian restaurant with an ever changing menu... they are closed at odd times and take well earned, extended vacations... a good introductory meal is their Garden Burger but there's nothing less than great on the whole menu... Bela has all fresh, as local as possible ingredients, valley-hippie service and eclectic patronage... the atmosphere of Bela alone is worth a stop... And this comes from a man who loves meat in all its incarnations, the rarer the better... for whatever reasons my food choices tend to trend toward some manner of cooked animal flesh... but I never fail to love my meal at Bela... read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

I think the sign said they have been here 15 years, which makes me feel bad for not knowing about them sooner - all the times i was up here looking for good vegetarian food, and this amazing tiny place was always here hiding on this back street. We were there for an early lunch and the place was just opening - we were the only ones there, the waiter was friendly and helped us make our decisions. We ordered one of the specials and their veggie burger and both were very good. If you are looking for fast food though, I would look elsewhere - you can tell this place makes it all fresh and takes their time - but I have no problem waiting for food this good.. now we have another reason to go back to Northampton. read more

Nothing special/nothing you can't make yourself Over cocked and not the friendliest. Don't waste your time or money. read more

I really like this place! It really taste like a home-cooked, healthy food without all of the time and work in the kitchen. The one time I ordered from here, it was really great and had a slight Asian feel which was nice. read more

Vegetables!!! I wandered into Belas's by chance because I was craving vegetables. One of their signature dishes is a veggie sautée over brown rice and rice noodles. So delicious and satisfying. Their salads are also very nice - this version was topped with roasted golden beets, chick peas, carrots and other delights. I've only had the Gorgonzola dressing so far and it was amazing. The service is friendly and kind. I haven't tried any of the more substantial dishes but based on the steady stream of takeout orders, I am guessing they are just as good. It's a small eclectic and cozy place with holiday lights strung throughout to give it a warm glow. Please note: this is a cash only business and if you like perfume - essential oils, you will want to wait to apply any scent since the chef is very allergic / sensitive to fragrances. Don't get insulted - just don't go here. I witnessed one couple storm out. The food here is worth it. read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - Veggie dish - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

I absolutely loved my meal here! I am gluten and dairy free and this place offered so many delicious options! The way the menu is laid out is remarkably helpful because it labels the dietary categories for the food: gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, etc. I had a special dish: tofu, lentils, broccoli, in a ginger sage butter sauce over rice noodles - amazing! My boyfriend had the veggie pasta stir fry and it was full of fresh vegetables. We also shared some vegan chocolate mousse for dessert with coconut whipped cream. While there, we learned that the restaurant is BYOB, which is so exciting! I will absolutely be back soon! read more

The person who took our order was very kind and helpful with suggestions. Everything was cooked to perfection and tasted fresh and delicious. Especially loved the veggies entree! Looking forward to trying dessert next time. read more

I ordered their miso soup last time and it was not very authentic, but this time the veggie cutlet (with mashed potatoes and a salad) was amazing. The salad was very fresh, the vegetables crispy and with a sweet tinge. They do not put much salt in their dishes, which is a healthy bonus. Their ice cream is not very sweet either (another healthy bonus) and reminds me of sesame flavor, probably the least sweet I have had in the United States. read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

Be warned the cook has a strong aversion to anything with a scent and you may be asked to leave. (We are talking the smell of hand lotion not a drenching of perfume.) The place smelled amazing though, just wish I could have eaten here. read more

I would eat EVERY meal here if I could. Every time I eat at Bela, I'm rendered speechless. About 75% of the menu changes daily, so you know you're getting the freshest ingredients possible (this goes for the permanent menu as well - the first time we tried to order the veggie cutlet, they were out). The choices are amazing - all vegetarian, and many vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free options to choose from. My only "complaint" is that it always takes me 30 mins to decide what to order. Service is always friendly and relatively fast, even though they have about 3 employees in the whole place. The portions are quite generous, and the prices are on-point. I always end up taking home leftovers, and I'm sure my partner would as well if he had any self-restraint and didn't end up trying to lick his plate (in public!) at the end of every meal. Their soups are always delightful (and not overly-filling), their greens are always perfectly cooked, their sauces are to die for, and pretty much everything is local. While the aforementioned veggie cutlet sounded really strange to me at first, I tried it recently and am SOLD. Comes with mashed potatoes and "gravy" as well - some really amazing vegetarian comfort food. Desert is fabulous as well - the dairy-free deserts taste even better than the "real thing." This place is small, and they don't take reservations, but if you have to wait for a table, I assure you it will be worth it. read more

The decor is beautiful in here, fresh yellow roses were out when I was there. It's small and cozy like you're in someone's house. Great service! I kept walking by Bela but never going in because the prices aren't cheap. I got a little extra money recently and decided to go with my roomie and we had a great time! We paid $27 for 2 dinners and dessert, we split everything. Got their veggie patty with mashed potatoes and gravy and a special which had tofu sausage, spinach and tomatoes in a light garlic tomato sauce. Delish! Dessert was a piece of rich chocolate cake which was pretty fudgey. Our waitress gave us extra whipcream at no charge which was very nice. Everything was very fresh and cooked perfect! I think this place would be great for a date. Food can be appreciated by veggies and meat eaters alike even though it is all vegetarian. Menu carries a few basics and new specials everyday. They close on the early side so be warned! read more

Merr, sorry to say, but I wasn't all that impressed. I'm not a vegetarian and perhaps it requires that diet to really love this place. That said, I'm not some obsessive carnivore... not sure if that gives enough context to gauge whether my review jives with your tastes. Here's what I was expecting: fresh, local, yummy food. I may also have imagined a certain quaint feeling seizing hold of me the moment I walked in the door. On both points, I misjudged. I found the menu to be lengthy but not diverse, complicated but lacking taste. The vibe in the cafe was awkward and my friend and I felt a bit strange being there. The server was friendly, in a Northampton kind of way. Overall, it wasn't a great choice for lunch. I've had better food elsewhere and certainly enjoyed better scenes. I'm not sure this is a place I would visit again nor is it a place I would take guests from out of town. read more

My girlfriend took me here as one stop for a surprise weekend she planned for me! I was very excited to show up at this place because it is a restaurant that is vegetarian friendly. We both tend to have a hard time finding places that have food for vegetarians but it was nice for her to find this place! The place is pretty cozy inside. There were probably about 10-12 tables and it was packed when we got there. We waited for about 15-20 minutes but it was WORTH the wait. They have their main menu written out on the chalk board so you can look at what is offered while you wait. They had a great selection on the board and when we were seated they gave us a menu as well. The menu had a few more items but not many which was fine because they had so many delicious plates that it took us a while to decide on what we wanted. I ended up getting the Tofu, rice noodles and mixed veggies and peanut satay sauce and my girlfriend got the mixed veggies with lo mein. We ended up sharing each dish and when I say the mean was perfect, it TRULY WAS AMAZING! We left satisfied in a very good way! The customer service here was phenomenal as well. There were only 2 wait staff and they did a great job managing the floor. They immediately gave us water once we sat and asked us how we were doing and what brought us in tonight. This place gets an A+!!!!! read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - Beautiful menu! - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

This is a friendly little cafe with simple vegetarian dishes. Nothing on the menu really stood out to me, but I settled on a special of the day----whole wheat pasta with seitan in a fennel tomato sauce ($8 for the lunch portion). The dish was really basic and, while it was tasty, this is definitely a dish I could have made at home (and I'm a novice cook, at best). For dessert I had a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie ($2) and a slice of maple cake ($5). The cookie was pretty good (it was made of almond flour), but the cake was excellent: moist; subtly sweet; airy. Bela's is cash-only, which is always annoying. Also, dinner prices are 50% higher than at lunch. While the food at Bela's isn't spectacular or unusual, it's tasty enough and not too expensive. I like the vibe and the friendly service. All in a all, it's a nice place to get lunch with a friend but don't expect to find a gourmet meal here. read more

If you paid me 200$ I would not make the trip to visit and eat at this place ever again. I was eating tofu app. with my partner cindy when we noticed a cook in the rear of the kitchen licking spoons and dunking them back into soups they were about to serve to customers. No respect for the health of customers. Additionally, a man who sat across the way from where we were sitting knowingly or unknowingly had his penis out beneath the table in his crisscross leg position. Finally, our braless waitress brought us the wrong food three separate times. We left before eating full entre meal. Place was repulsive!!!!! PS Waitress had wonderful curves. read more

Oh, Bela, how I love thee. As a vegetarian, I love love love coming here. But so do lots of my meat-eating friends. The food on the printed menu is good, but to be honest, I've never ordered most of it. Why? Because their daily specials are where it's at. Some of the great things I've had here: Tempeh and Baby Bok Choy in a Soy-Balsamic-Roasted Garlic Glaze Arrabiata (Pasta with fresh tomatoes, garlic, thai peppers, and parsley) Tofu and Mixed Vegetables in Red Coconut Curry Pasta with Chard, Tomatoes, and Tofu Sausage Pasta with Zucchini and Gorgonzola Cream Sauce Oh, and their salad dressings, different every day, are amazing too. Sweet chili, lemon parmesan, mmm. I love this place. They have lots of vegan and vegetarian stuff that's hearty and delicious and crave-worthy, even if you're a carnivore. Grab a bottle of wine or a couple of beers from the shop around the corner and get ready for a truly fantastic meal. read more

I ate at Bela Vegetarian Restaurant for the first time today and based on my experience I'd definitely go back. My dining companion and I both chose options off the specials board. She had some sort of tempeh curry deal and I had whole wheat pasta with mushrooms, chard, garlic, and feta. My food was delicious. The whole dish was garlicy (but not overwhelmingly so) and the mushrooms and chard were both cooked wonderfully. My companion must have liked her dish as well, since she ate everything on her plate. The place is tiny and a little quirky (when we arrived the waitress said that the cook stepped out to run an errand so it would be 10 minutes before we could order cooked food). Honestly though, the quirkiness wasn't bad, since I wasn't there to have some sort of gourmet experience anyway. I'm not a vegetarian and I thought the menu had options that would appeal to meat eaters. Also notable: dishes are marked if they're dairy-free, wheat-free, vegan, etc. so you don't have to ask/guess. All in all, I'd totally eat the same meal again (though it was a special... alas) and I'll probably go back. read more

Amazing food!!! Can't even begin to explain the work Lily does with flavors in the kitchen! If you are looking for an at home feel at your family's house, Bela is the place!! read more

From first sight, this place looks very inviting. Large picture windows out front, a beautiful blue decor; but it's also a very small building/space, so you have to like the feeling of "coziness" emitted from Bela. I've been to this restaurant with many folks, some who have dietary restrictions, and some who do not. In all cases, everyone has found something they'd like, and all have enjoyed their meal to some degree. Their prices are somewhat high (if I remember correctly, a dinner meal special goes for $15), but really, I feel you get what you're paying for. Fresh local vegetables, cooked in a delicious and healthy way. Not too much sauce on dishes, but enough to coat your food. They always have at least 1 vegan dinner special option, and denote on a wipeboard inside certain indications for each meal (i.e. Dairy, Honey, Spicy). There are certain yummy staples like mashed potatoes; 2 soups per day, which change (I've gone from curried split pea soup to miso to a cold mango puree); burgers and more. Like the name of the restaurant implies, everything on the menu is at least vegetarian. If you have any special requests, the waitstaff will try to help you out, and ask the chef. As the day gets on, some of the ingredients for the specials run out, so they'll have something else to substitute. Usually, this is the case for the dishes containing mostly vegetables. So, if they're out of kale on your dish, they can change to swiss chard for you. One thing I didn't much care for was their miso, honestly: I didn't think they put enough miso paste in the soup, but perhaps that was a one-time only deal. Also, I must reiterate that their prices are a bit steep for certain things which shouldn't be so, like beans and rice together for $8 (at least since I last went a few months ago). Otherwise, I haven't many qualms with Bela. Delicious food, a very simple but pleasant atmosphere, and waitstaff who are eager to please. read more

Went here to enjoy something other than our regular Italian. and as soon as we sat down and got aquatinted my wife and I were asked to LEAVE because of her perfume!! Apparently the chef has an allergy severe enough to "make her vomit on the spot" if she smells any fragrance! What are you doing in service if you can't be around 95% of customers!!! Most people wear deodorant for Christ sakes. I think it's time for her to find a new career - perhaps as the new Bubble Boy. Never coming back. read more

What a rude place! We walked in and no one greeted us. It's like we had to introduce ourselves to get any attention! Then, after getting no attention at all, we looked at what appeared to be faux plates of food, like the kind they spray with plastic, and were suddenly accosted by someone who appeared to be a wait staff but not sure. She said, "touching other people's food is not cool"! The faux plates were sitting there for well over 15 minutes and no one was sitting at the table! We thought she was joking! But she wasn't! It was real food that looked like plastic! We then left very quickly and she facetiously said, "have a nice night"! Wouldn't come within a thousand miles of this place again and will be sure to tell all of our vegetarian friends! Stay away or your in for a sucky time! read more

How this restaurant doesn't already have 5 stars is beyond me. Today they gave my family the best dining experience we've ever had the pleasure of enjoying. Talk about clean plate club! I would have taken pictures of everything, but we were too busy eating it all. Every single thing that we got was beyond expectations, down to the simple noodles and butter that my toddlers slurped up happily. The soup was creamy with just a hint of spice, the salad was refreshing and light, and the veggie cutlet and harvest burger were heavenly. Our coconut lemon frosted cake was to die for and the coconut whipped cream on the side was crazy good, like ice cream. Our server was stupendous and took the term hospitality to another level. After years of my boyfriend enjoying bela's amazing meals, we finally had the chance to come as a family, and left as four lifelong fans. I can't wait to keep coming back as much as possible! read more

Bela Vegetarian Restaurant - The veggie cutlet meal - Vegetarian Near Me - Northampton, Massachusetts

See all

I'm not a vegetarian, but I am lactose intolerant. I read a review about Bela and was intrigued that most of the items on the menu were dairy free. So I decided to try it out and really liked the food. I got the harvest burger which was good but too big for the bread it was served on. The rosemary-roasted potatoes were delicious. I like how they labeled everything so you were sure what was going into it. And most things were dairy free so my stomach was happy. Plus, I'd say go for the desserts. For a dairy-free cake, it was pretty tasty. read more

There are so any reasons to dine at Bela! As you first enter you step into an inviting space. Clean, cozy and fun. The regular menu appears to have a nice selection but check out the specials board on the wall for a variety for delicious choices. The food is tasty...actually it is outstanding. Well cooked, beautiful and yummy. The service couldn't have been better. The portions are great and you've gotta leave room for the all vegan desserts. Just be warned... If you go once you will return many times! read more

Bela has everything I look for in a local restaurant. First and foremost, the food is always fresh and consistently delicious. Everything is vegetarian or vegan with ramped up Mediterranean or Asian flavors. The soups are truly outstanding, particularly the Tomato Corn Chowder. The salads are always refreshing with AMAZING homemade dressings atop the perfectly balanced salads with baby greens, chickpeas, and pea sprouts. There are excellent specials, and I particularly enjoy the butter sauces. The stir fry entrees can be served with rice, rice noodles, pasta or lo mein noodles. Even with a long list of specials, I often decide on the Vegetable Medley, which is perfect every time. And, the desserts are to die for. In fact, I chose to order cakes from Bela for my wedding last year. Not only is the food excellent, but the waitstaff is sweet and attentive. The staff have all been working at Bela for years and it's been great to get to know them. And, of course, we appreciate that the food is very reasonably priced. Bela is an excellent value and a fine choice when in Northampton! read more

Bland and the smallest restaurant I have ever been to. I think I counted 6 tables. I'm confused about their hours because I feel like they're always closed and the handful of times I've been there had been alright. Nothing memorable. read more

I stopped here for a quick lunch when I was passing through the area. The place has a cafe-like vibe - very welcoming and relaxing. I ordered the cutlet with potatoes. It came with a nice salad full of sprouted legumes and nice veggies; the dressing was excellent as well. The cutlet wasn't quite what I expected. I thought it would have a chewing, meaty texture, but it was more like a veggie meatloaf. That said, it was still good, and the gravy was really tasty. read more

All I can say is the tomato pasta sauce in my pasta special and the tempeh pieces in the pesto pasta special were truly exquisite.