I had the mock fish cakes brunch with kale salad, black beans, and cheese grits. I added walnut meat on top of my black beans and got a side of chips. This was sooo amazing. One bite in I was like Lord this is unreal how amazing it is. So good forgot to take a photo, but will definitely take one next time. Mock fish cakes with sauce- texture was perfection. Not too soft not too hard and maintained it's form. I loved all the flavor without the saltiness of usual old bay seasoning. I'd definitely recommend them to a friend and try again. Kale Salad- your typical raw kale salad with addition of ALL the flava. This was very yummy I'd love it as is or with some pumpkin seeds, almonds and cranberries for a different flavor. But I have no complaints for having it as is. Black beans with Walnut Topping and Salsa and Chips- Really amazing. No overly salty flavor that you can get when ordering black beans. Perfectly seasoned with quite the killer salsa flavor. I loved it! The walnuts oh my goodness I legit was like HOW IS THIS SO GOOD YET RAW?! Then I remembered VEGAN FLAVA! They live up to their name definitely. The chips were good and not overly salty which again I love and appreciate. Cheese Grits- Again, I sound like a broken record but all that flava without some less than desirable saltiness or fake vegan product. I was soooo satisfied with how well it paired with the mock fish cakes. Truly enjoyed it. All in all everything was amazing. There is nothing that I would change. I have been trying to get to this place for years and now I have succeeded in doing so and already ready to go back and get it again. Amazing food, amazing service, and unparalleled FLAVA. read more

I'm speechless! Not really, but this place is THAT good!!! I had the walnut tacos supreme, and seriously the BEST vegan tacos I've EVER had!! I'm not kidding! It was fresh, delicious and served with a smile! The owner was extremely kind and friendly and i would definitely be a regular if i lived here! It was a tad bit hard to find, tucked away inside a back building, but i called and then it was easy. My big mistake was only getting 2 tacos instead of 3...not because they were small (they weren't!), but because they were SO yummy!! I also felt like it was very reasonably priced, which is awesome!! read more

See all

Let me put it this way. I would still visit Vegan Flava Café and I am no longer vegan They have the best kale salad that I have ever tried. I have attempted multiple times to replicate to no avail. My favorite menu items are the fish cakes and the walnut tacos. Not to mention they are locally owned and are educating people on how to make healthy choices without sacrificing flavor. read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Vegan fish cakes - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Talk about a frustrating experience! First of all, this place is hidden and has no good signage. We called two times trying to find the place. The guy was not helpful at all! Second, there wasn't a sign on the door saying that we needed to order outside. We came into order only to be told rudely that we needed to wait outside. The food was decent, but the tacos were cold. Wish they would have been served warm. Not worth the hassle for the food. read more

Tucked away in the small back corner of Blue Dogwood Market lies an unassuming yet inquisitive place. For someone who was looking for a less heavy fare compared to the Franklin's other counterparts, Vegan Flava Cafe had what I needed. To me, this place is inviting for vegans and non vegans alike. Typical favorites such as tacos had a healthy twist, with unique bbq jackfruit that tastes like a sweet, juicy alternative of pulled pork. The kale salad had a flavorful almond mock seafood blend that added a subtle kick to the seasoned greens. Yahi, the owner, gave wonderful recommendations and gives off a welcoming vibe that invites anyone to come learn more about how to eat healthier and be more open to rich, live foods. I encourage anyone to find their way to this hidden gem whether you are a looking for a nutritious, sustainable meal or an eclectic dish with a hint of spice. read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Kale salad with mock almond seafood - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

See all

Great food and friendly service. Enjoyed the pancakes, grits, and black beans. The fish cakes are delicious. I had the wraps before which were delicious too. The person whoo prepares the delicious meals is full of valuable information about the food and vegan/vegetarian diet. Definitely will return again. read more

Awesome. So nice to find my RTP Gem. The team is awesome I was given sample of an amazing chocolate daube, the Mac and cheez. Is Good!! And I have to say having dessert options makes any and every meal excellent read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - a cup of coffee on a counter - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Get yourself in here! This is delicious vegan food and healthy and sweeeet, sweet people. read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Watch the kitchen! - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

See all

I love the atmosphere of this place. Loved the fact that it was all vegan, meaning whole foods plant based , not all soy substitute like most vegan places. The person who was helping us was very nice and cared to talk us through the menu options, given that it was our first time there. We had the Walnut tacos, it was so delicious. And the chickpea tuna wrap, that was also so good. Makes you feel good that you are eating so healthy, but at the same time delicious and satisfying. I have never been to blue dogwood market, so I loved how you have multiple choices in such a small space. We'll talk about it the other stores there in their own reviews, I plan to try them all read more

Super chill vibe. Yah-I Sinclair is a v interesting person and I learned a lot about better eating and other things from him. Very creative menu and quality food. The place has a great vibe too with other artisanal restaurants, art and beer and wine. Love it. read more

Enjoyed a tasty dinner here this evening. The chef, his wife, and 2 children (youngest is 18 months), are an integral part of the homey setting. It feels like you're over your gregarious vegan friend's house, one who swears he's a vegan chef. But you have to be a bit of a chef to be a vegan. The decor is Caribbean with ancient Egyptian (black) influence. Food: Seaweed is used to give the seafood taste of the "tuna" salad, and it was successful. I sampled daily specials of "spaghetti" with vegan cheese, red beans, and lentils, with the sides: coconut rice and peas, kale with garlic dressing, and baked plantains. These were all tasty but my favorite was the red beans. I tried the vegan sweet potato pie but did not like the aftertaste of the crust, which was also crumbly. It reminded me that I need to stock up on butter this baking season. The children dance to soul hits and there's a fortune teller/psychic on staff, so the conversation can get awkward...like being told that you're not monogamous in front of your spouse, and grandmother, Service: A bit uneven, even with only a couple of other parties present. They will be all up in your horoscope for 20 minutes, but when they move on to another table to do their horoscopes and you need something, you may have to do without. Definitely seat yourself and grab a menu from the counter; go up to the counter to pay as well, as to not waste time on something that may or may not happen. If you're in a rush, I would call and order ahead. read more

The food itself is okay, but my biggest pet peeve is when the food is not as advertised. I got the almond wrap with the nori and the barbeque jackfruit platter (with coconut rice and kale salad). The platter was supposed to have tomato and avocado, but they were nowhere to be found. If they had told me they ran out and asked if it was okay, then fine. But not telling me the dish doesn't have what you say it has is just bad. The jackfruit had too much barbeque sauce, so it just tasted weird - imagine just sweet and sour sauce on fruit. The kale salad was acceptable, but there was way too much dressing - some kind of a brown, sesame tasting flavor - and the kale ended up dripping with the sauce. The almond wrap was better than the rest, but at $7 for a small portion.. eh. Overall, food mediocre, prices too high. Wouldn't come back. read more

Amazing vegan food! My favorite dish so far is the curry lentils. The smoothies are also very tasty. I highly recommend this restaurant!

These guys put out the real Flava! I had the mock fish cakes and hot sauce over kale and quinoa. It was hot, spicy, creamy, crunch. Just so good. Best meal I've had in months. read more

Vegan food with soul flavor. This restaurant packs in good vibes, good music, friendly personable staff & of course tasty healthy food. The kale salad is lightly oiled & seasoned to a salty but balanced taste. The CARROT TUNA SEAWEED WRAP is my favorite. The carrots really taste like tuna. It's filed with greens and huge! read more

See all

We order from them pretty much every week. Tried a few things and my husband and I agreed that the fish cake special with coconut rice is our favorite. (It's a true testament to how good the food is that my husband is really into it despite the fact that vegan food is not usually what he goes for). It's just really great to have a take out option that is delicious AND doesn't make me feel bad afterwards. There's a lot of delicious food around here, but almost take out meals make me want to go to sleep for 20 years after I've finished eating them. Not this place-- I feel full and satisfied without feeling weighed down. They've definitely become a staple at our house. I hope they stick around! read more

WOW!!! I ordered the Supreme Tacos, they were so DELICIOUS! Black black bean walnut meat lots of different seasoning cilantro avocado tomatoes it was so delicious I just keep thinking about them! I will definitely be stopping back by there to get them again or try a different one. read more

Awesome to see a healthy vegan restaurant in Durham! The menu is pretty short, so I'd recommend taking a look before bringing a party. I had the baked gluten-free vegan spaghetti special w a side of kale salad and baked plantains. Everything tasted wonderfully fresh, not oily as some vegan cooking tends to be, and I felt satisfied/almost overly full by the end of the meal (and still so, 3 hours later). The pies and cakes are fairly expensive for their serving sizes, but my sweet potato pie was decent: very sweet (almost too much so), soft, and smooth. However, I can see why the reviews about service are all haphazard--I had a good experience today, as the staff seemed really friendly and welcoming. But as the restaurant started to fill up, later customers were attended to less quickly. read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Baked spaghetti special (includes side of kale salad and side of bake plantains) $12 - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

New spot on Franklin that's definitely worth a try. I had the bean tamale: excellent. I'll be back. read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The chef is truly an artist. Clean food with careful attention to detail. If you love vegan food and a place that fosters a healthy vibe try this place. Highly recommended ! read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The food is absolutely amazing! Every bite is delicious and flavorful. Customer service was great as well. Our first visit will not be our last. read more

Had a less than ideal brunch experience at the old location right after they opened and it almost put me off Vegan Flava for good. Glad I decided to give it a second chance. Stopped by the new North Gate location for dinner with a buddy and decided to put together a 3 selection sampler with BBQ jackfruit, fish cakes, and chana masala served with quinoa, kale salad, and plantains. Though a bit expensive for my taste, super tasty and will definitely be back for more. Question for anyone ordering on Grubhub-is there any way to put together a special for delivery? I live just down the road but sometimes, man, I just don't want to leave the house... read more

The atmosphere is laid back and friendly. My dred loc brothas are friendly and have prepared delicious choices for all to come enjoy. Fresh, friendly and fast! read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Gentleman preparing my food. - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Positives: Outstanding meal, at a too-low price! Had the three tacos and it was love from the first bite. Wish I had more time to explore the full menu, but was in a lunch rush. Worth the five stars, but . . . . Negatives: Using Google Maps I ended up walking in the wrong direction, and then past the place, twice! When I finally got there, it was still really hard to find them from the street behind the place, and even from the front, because of some signage prohibition or something. Regardless, it's worth the hunt! Oh, and the tacos were phenomenal, but more napkins are needed as they tend to explode when eaten--they're packed pretty full. Worth the visit:-) read more

Great service and great mac n cheese! I will be back to try out some more of the menu

Absolutely DELICIOUS! I ordered the jackfruit bbq tacos and have never been more in love with food before in my life. The owner is so kind, I loved supporting his business. Whether you're vegan or just wanting to try something new, check this place out! read more

Inside a "market" style dining place with a number of other food stalls. Doesn't look like much, and you may think you're in the wrong place, but don't turn around - stay, you'll be glad you did. I have no idea how this little place makes plant based vegan food taste so good - pure creativity with food. I had the "tuna sandwich" which came in a wrap of sea wood paper - delicious. My son had nachos with an fruit and hubby tacos. All So good. And be sure to grab a vegan gluten free cupcake on your way out. The frosting was like real buttercream. YUM read more

Great little vegan spot - much needed plant-based cafe in Chapel Hill! We loved the walnut tacos, seaweed wrap, fishcakes, and Mac n cheese - we were only in town for the long weekend but we loved it so much we came back twice. Fresh, flava-ful and super friendly service. A little hard to find this gem - but glad we did! Support this small business you won't regret it!! read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Fish Cake Brunch - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Oh Vegan Flava Cafe. How I wanted to love you. And parts of you were great. Unfortunately, it was a tough visit. Let's unpack: First, it was unclear, as we visited on a recent Saturday night, if we should come to the counter to order or if that exchange would take place at our table. After being greeted initially seated at our table, brought water, and asked if we were ready (we weren't quite ready at that moment), we waited another 20 minutes before the staff member came back. Second, once we gave our order, I requested more water. The server took my glass away from the table...and that is the last time I saw that glass. Fast-forward another 15 minutes or so: one of the owners came out to greet us and to bring more water. The kindness of those involved in the restaurant is what I liked about our visit. There's a true love for people. During our exchange, I asked if I could get my glass of water back. I ended up getting a coffee mug of water about 5 minutes later. Then, the food started to arrive. Our friends ordered the curry special and the taco platter while my partner and I ordered the taco in a seaweed wrap and the carrot wrap. Our friends food was plentiful and came out quickly. Our taco proved to be a challenge. After confirming multiple times that my partner did not want tomatoes on his taco, it came out with - you guessed it - tomatoes. As we finished, feeling the onset of disappointment looming, the owner brought out a giant trash bag to bus our table. Right there. Garbage bag. Really? The food was good, but for $7 a wrap, I left hungry. As a vegan, I really appreciate that someone would open a dining establishment rooted in plant-based cooking. Sadly, our experience was less than ideal. You can feel the love. But, I'm not sure it's enough to bring me back. read more

I was so excited to see this vendor in the back of the dogwood market..what a pleasant surprise. First of all, the owner and his wife were such beautiful people, the smile and attention to the detail in their food drew me in. He simply walked by, saw us looking at another vendor and said, come sample something I just made to let me know If you like it after you finish getting your food no matter where you buy from come see me. I loved his approach. He was confident that whether we bought from.him originally we NEEDED to try his food before we go. I am so glad we did.. we sampled his new dish and loved it. I blindly ate it with out asking what it was only to discover it was made with something I dont even like.. mushrooms.. but I LOVED the flavors in this dish and would never have known it was a mushroom dish and I told him that. He just laughed but was happy I liked it. I strongly recommend them to all. Next time its straight to their counter for me. read more

It's worth it: just bring your own ice water and a good book 5 Stars for the delicious, light and savory cuisine. The portions are small, but I admit that I enjoyed every single bite. 0 stars for the pseudoscientific magic woo water without ice(What kind of restaurant doesn't believe in ice?! Don't push your weird anti-ice belief on this ice-lovin' lady) Also the waiter seems to peddle odd myths about religion and food--out of place! I just want the tasty animal-free fresh food, not your weird personal beliefs. Smile and nod, my friend! (That's what I did) -Also the service is as slow as molasses I have to give this place 4 stars due to the weirdness. I don't believe in alternative medicine, alkaline water, ayurvedic medicine or any other unscientific nonsense. I'll be back because I want to support a small vegan business. I recommend the lentils, plantain and side salad, the veggie wraps are good, but very light. My guest remarked that she was hungry after the meal. I'm not vegan, but I am plant based, therefore I really want to support plant based cuisine. I might be getting my food to go from now on because it was very loud and full of screaming children. The atmosphere is casual and it can be very very loud! (I noticed people standing around and not ordering or eating) They have great photographs and art featuring civil right's activists also some nice Muhammad Ali photos, which make for good conversation. I think that they're talking and laughing in the kitchen instead of cooking, that's why the meal takes so long to prepare? read more

"Vegan wraps, etc., by South Square in Durham" This restaurant is the location that used to be Torrero's, and then Blue Note Grill, basically next to Spartacus and in front of Target on 15-501 Business in Durham. The venue is somewhat unusually shaped, with an outside patio, a broad but slightly dim (relative to the fact that it two sides are almost completely windows) front room + bar, a middle area (where the restrooms are), and a back area. We'd not been here before, and weren't even sure we'd stay when we arrived, since the menu was pretty short: ~5 main dish entrees plus some sides, specials, and desserts on the board. But I'm glad we did. It was ~6pm on a Friday evening, and when we arrived, there were maybe only two other parties seated, but many more came while we dined. They had an "open mic" setting up at the time we left ~7pm, so we didn't get to experience that. However, they had someone in the back room showing kids how to play chess, which was sweet. Positives: + Service: Very friendly. Both our server and another checked on us regularly and seemed genuinely concerned with whether we liked the food. We also got good recommendations when we asked. + Quality: My wife & I really liked our dishes. I had the "carrot tuna" in a seaweed wrap: organic carrot pulp + vegan mayo garnished with greens, tomatoes, and fresh avocado. It tasted SO good... the flavors mixed very nicely together. My wife had the BBQ jackfruit special with plaintains and kale salad. All were delicious-- the jackfruit had great flavor and the BBQ was good without being spicy. The plaintains had a hint of cinnamon on them which added to their appeal, and the kale salad was nicely blended. My son had the "Too Tasty Tacos" in hard corn tortilla shells, and they were LOADED with veggies. + Value: My carrot tuna wrap was only $7. It wasn't enough by itself, but with my wife's kale salad (she didn't want it), it was a good amount of food. The BBQ jackfruit special with both sides was $12. So, in essence, we had enough food for two people for just under $20 before tax and tip. I rate this as a very good value. Neutral: * Speed: I noticed some other reviews complained about the speed. Our food did not come out "fast", but it was reasonable: we got everything about 25 minutes after ordering. That said, as noted, the restaurant was pretty empty when we started, so I imagine it's likely they may get backed up if they're crowded. * Water: They serve "Kangen water" here. I'm honestly skeptical of any health benefit to this, but any filtration is nonetheless appreciated. Negatives: - Parking: Yes, my only negative is the parking right outside the restaurant is angled, narrow, and generally awkward. But there is ample parking a few extra steps away, and this is no deterrent. Synopsis: Happy to come back here again. Very happy with the food quality, value, and service. And I should stress: I'm definitely NOT a vegan (nor even a vegetarian), but I still really liked it. read more

Sorrel tea is delicious. (No, it's not the salad Sorrel. It's hibiscus - but not the kind you're used to, either.) Various mock meats are great! New restaurant, so they don't have a sign yet. Its next to the Nail Care sign. Extremely friendly staff! Chill environment. Looking forward to seeing how it grows! read more

Delicious! I feel like it took me too long to try it. It feels like every time I want it, it's a Monday or Tuesday and Blue Dogwood is closed (just my luck). The mock fish cakes were divine. I'm not a huge kale person but the kale salad was amazing. If you haven't tried Vegan Flava Cafe, don't wait a second longer! I love to see the vegan options in Chapel Hill-Carrboro expanding. If you like flavorful, live food, check this place out. Also, it's a bonus that the portions are large. If you aren't vegan, I guarantee you'll still love it. I'll be coming back soon for more! read more

I only had a day in Raleigh and I'm so glad I came here to get lunch. It is tucked in to a quiet corner but worth seeking out. The owner is very knowledgeable in healthy vegan food that is tasty too. I enjoyed our nice conversation and my collard green wrap very much. I highly recommend this spot and will definitely be back next time I'm in town. read more

Awesome place! Great food!! And extremely friendly staff. We went for Sunday brunch special which was pancakes (or fishcakes) with cheesy grits, kale, and beans. Big portions and delicious. read more

Absolutely wonderful food, and wonderful people! Since I'm vegan, I am always happy to see a new vegan place and I hope they continue to do well. My only recommendation to them is that their waiter (who we loved!!) might want to tone down the emphasis on alkaline water, and balance of chemicals in food etc, as it was a bit "preachy" and could make people uncomfortable. Other than that the tacos were great, the iced tea was awesome, the chocolate cake was amazing and the curry lentils were SO good. I will definitely come back here on my next visit! read more

Super nice staff! Very helpful in choosing a meal or three. good basic food in a co op setting. Nice clean seating arrangements.

Never in life would I think a vegan spot would make me GREEDY!! But this place has me coming back every single week. And not just for the food, for the people. I love love love everyone who works here, I feel like I'm going to get food from a family member. I love Caribbean cuisine and the food reminds me of a perfect blend of vegan and soul spice. I've tried almost everything on the menu and the portions are very plentiful. I could live off of the kale salad and Plaintains for the rest of my life. Don't just go there to eat, go to be at peace within yourself and really enjoy the food!!!! read more

Vegan Flava Cafe - Taco Tuesday!!!!! Plaintains and vegan cake were extra but very worth it - Vegan Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Chef Yah-I is very unique in his combinations. We were initially disappointed that they only offer one special during Sunday brunch and not their normal menu. The special wasn't something we'd normally order. Grits, beans, kale and pancakes. We were overwhelmed with how delicious it was! The kale had a magic savory-ness to it. The pancake was fluffy, with a subtle nutty flavor. The grits were hot, as if made especially for that order and some of the best grits I've ever had. We're amazed with the unique combinations and tasteful creations. It's like big city vegan fine dining at a inexpensive and casual setting. read more