Food for Thought Café

Food for thought should never include animal cruelty. As a holistic retreat, I expected this place to fully embrace compassion and mindfulness, not just in their practices but also in their meals. It's disappointing to see a retreat that promotes healing and well-being serve dishes that involve animal suffering. True holistic living means aligning your values with every aspect of life, including what's on your plate. I sincerely hope they reconsider their menu to reflect the core principles they claim to uphold.

Very interesting and chill new age retreat atmosphere. Friendly staff. Food itself not too great, more like cafeteria food. Super rubbery Just Egg, cold beans, etc. But given that it’s a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Joshua Tree and the vibes are immaculate, would come again.

Always on a hunt for a good breakfast burrito before entering a park. There’s a spot or two listed around town but they either don’t always have them or it’s just a potato scramble in a tortilla. This place had a full on Just Egg scramble with vegan cheese! It gets served with breakfast potatoes and a side of beans. I was planning on saving half for the park but I ended up eating the whole thing! The woman at the register who had gray hair with copper streaks was super friendly and guided me through their set up. And the views…. Highly recommend!

Awesome place! Thanks for the great welcoming guys. The coffee here ( Fresh brew) was incredible had to get me a cup to go.

Vegetarian options: Great food!

Kid-friendliness: Yes

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Tofu Scramble with Breakfast Potatoes and a Side of Soup of the Day, Breakfast Burrito

The food is fresh and healthy, the service folks are lovely, the atmosphere and views incredible. This is not a highly populated area, and we are locals, so happy to have healthy food at reasonable prices available for us. The only feedback I would have is that is kind of slow between ordering and getting your food, but it's always hot and tasty with a smile and while we wait, we enjoy the view. BTW the Retreat Center gift shop is right next to the cafe, you should probably plan a little time to go in there, it's quite wonderful and actually, you should plan on a little stroll around the Retreat Center campus while you are there. AND if you need to make a left turn onto the highway to get out of the Retreat Center, you can forget about it, it's nearly impossible.

Dietary restrictions: Great options for restricted diets and vegans.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Vortex Burger w Side Salad, Tortilla Soup, Tofu Scramble with Breakfast Potatoes and a Side of Soup of the Day, Breakfast Burrito

Lovely atmosphere, delicious food and reasonable prices. The best vegetarian in the region! Check it out!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Breakfast Burrito

Looks great. We were unable to try as it closes at 3pm instead of 4pm.

I have a multitude of dietary restrictions and the chef was very accommodating and helped me create a meal that didn’t compromise my restrictions. Thank you!!!

Dietary restrictions: Dairy free, Gluten free, coconut free and nightshade foods/spices.

Parking: Unpaved, flat and well kept

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hidden gem!

First time I came here the cashier was incredibly rude and ill informed of allergens on the menus. Second time the chef took my order, explained my options, and made a satisfying and delicious meal. Thank you! Vegan gluten free egg scramble, and vegan gluten free breakfast tacos. Chipotle mayo is very good and the green jalapeño salsa was so amazing 😋

Dietary restrictions: Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Really good and feeling food. Vegetarian, eggless, Jain options available. Really enjoyed it.

Vegetarian options: Sandwiches, Bowls, Baggles

Dietary restrictions: Jain, Eggless, Vegetarian, Vegan

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’ve been coming to Food for Thought Café since they opened, and it’s one of the few places I actually like eating out at. I usually cook for myself and don’t eat out much because the food quality is hit or miss, but this place is different. The veggies are always super fresh, and the food tastes like something I’d make at home. Even the dressings and sauces are all made in-house, and they add so much flavor to every dish! Chef Dave is incredible—constantly coming up with creative new dishes.

Jackie and the rest of the staff are super friendly and welcoming, which makes the experience even better.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or just into fresh, quality food, this place is definitely worth it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Don't let the name deter you - the veggie restaurant serves up delicious food at a great price from wonderful staff in a superb atmosphere.
I will definitely visit again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Vortex Burger w Side Salad

They make this place seem organic and health conscious by the name and being in. mental physics place with dome structures and conscious thinking community talk. I live in Sedona which IS a conscious place as are some places out here but I cannot say I had a great experience here at all. I asked the lady working “so I know you all have vegan options, are you also organic?” She replied “yes” and I said “everything?” She said “yes” and I replied “ok that’s good cause I am sensitive” and I went about ordering the Vortex burger and made comment about the pecans She hesitated for a minute and asked me to repeat and I said “Oh I am sensitive” and she said “hold on” and went to the back and came back and said “ok we cannot guarentee organic” Now I am looking confused and also spot the Tropicana OJ and synthetic drink next to it, and ask “ok what about the fruit?” She said we are out of it… the lady becomes offended as I scrutinize menu so i pulled a “can I just talk to manager?” thing and I did and he was nice and very honest and said “NOTHING is organic. Sorry she misinformed you. We get everything delivered from SYSCO! … however if you get those breakfast potatoes I can leave out the canola oil or all oils if youd like.” I did that and got the Just Egg also. It was mediocre. The male cook/ manager was at least honest… but I am unhappy still that until I scrutinized was told EVERYTHING was organic. Then later we cant guarantee then the lady was frustrated with me til I asked for manager… then turns out NOTHING is organic. I am not saying dont eat here over a meat serving place. I simply say it’s ironic it went from everythings organic to NOTHING which is likely the truth despite having tables with logos stamped “farm fresh produce” and drawn pic of a tomato on it. This just makes me sad and I definitely wont go back. That being said… the grounds are peaceful and nice waterfall and despite them having people work their who are either naive or misinformed what they serve, I am still glad at least a place that doesnt serve meat. So def mixed review but NOT for me!

The menu changes weekly so there are only a few options at any given time. We had the burger and sandwich of the week with the beans and rice side and home fries side. Make sure to specify vegan- they accidentally gave us dairy cheese on top of the the beans and rice at first. Everything was good but on the greasy side. Beautiful outdoor seating area. Updated from previous review on 2024-10-20