ION Restaurant, It's Only Natural, ION

I’ve been to ION at least a half dozen times. I’ve received delicious, unique, and beautifully prepared meals. Make sure you check them out for Sunday Brunch! Updated from previous review on 2025-12-19

Great food (and large portions), service, and atmosphere. A wonderful surprise while traveling through.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Coconut Cake

This was the worst Vegan food ever and experience ever. No seasoning at all. I wasted my hard earned money, and when I placed my order. The host was very condescending. I ordered $62 in food and the boxes were very flemsy and they didn't have a bag for me to put my food in.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I had a great lunch there this week, it was fantastic! The sweet potato fries with homemade ketchup never disappoint. The kale salad was amazing and I can never say no to the garlic tofu.

And great food. The portions are large. We had the seitan steak and southern plate plus deserts. Everything was amazing. The staff was kind. They have coloring pages for kids (and adults). Overall a great meal.

I travel to Hartford for work frequently but rarely have free time to explore on my own. I’m so glad this trip I got to go to ION. The inside was gorgeous, the staff was really nice, and the food was delicious. I’ll definitely come back!

I’ve been coming here for decades, and it seemed like over the past few years things had gone downhill, but my goodness they are right back up at the top. Just had lunch there this week with five other people and it was phenomenal. Every single dish was delicious and ample, the service was fantastic… really, nothing could have been better. All that, plus the fact that one of the things we ordered was for takeout, so we didn’t realize it until later but that the takeout order had a mistake in it. We called the restaurant and they refunded us for that entire dish. So, yes, ion is back in action! Can’t wait to go back! We ordered: pierogies, seitan entree, kale salad w tofu & crab cake, Caesar salad w tofu, Mac attack, cauliflower appetizer, buffalo tofu app, chocolate peanut butter cheesecake and giant chocolate chip cookie. Everything was fantastic!!!!! Service great!!!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

First time here for me but my fiance and daughter been here a few times and raved about it. 3 salads, one app and a hot tea $110 w tip. My opinion is very expensive for what you get. That being said went to a vegan restaurant in Venice CA and same was about $230. I honestly don't know how one can eat out w hugh prices.

I had Caesar salad and I did not enjoy. The lettuce was not crunchy like I enjoy but soggy.

Service was GREAT which is why it isn't 1 star

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 5

This vegan restaurant was a wonderful suprise find. Great for dinner. The brunch also looks amazing.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Literally everything was so good

We just had an incredible meal. The buffalo cauliflower was an incredibly delicious appetizer. The grilled seitan was savory. I highly recommend you come and enjoy some food at ION!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love going here!!! Parking is egh.. but the place itself is excellent!!! Food is great!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Plenty of options , Great atmosphere Updated from previous review on 2025-08-31

I finally have to write a review because the pattern of service is unacceptable. I appreciate what Ion is doing in the vegan space but they really need to figure out their staffing and inventory. I haven’t been here one time when the food isn’t significantly behind or they’ve run out and there’s always some excuse. I want to give it 2 stars but they’re one of the only well known vegan restaurants in this area of CT and the staff is nice.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 2

I have been coming to ION for the last 4-5 years. I absolutely love the food and the atmosphere. It’s hard to get this great of vegan/vegetarian food.

I will say, the last 3 times I’ve gone (within the last 6 months) their service has changed. I have waited between 1-2 hours for food on every visit.
The first time this happened we had to say something after waiting an hour and a half. Then the waiter charged us the incorrect amount. They were very apologetic and we fixed the mistake pretty quickly. Today, the server straight up just told us they forgot our orders and had to put it in again. The staff have been very kind and apologetic. The food has been great. Just seems like something is off with consistent service, maybe it has to do with new staff.

I understand there has been a change in management/staff (same owners) and this has been very evident by returning costumers. I hope they are able to work through the growing pains!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 2