This place was such a refreshing experience. I can’t believe I didn’t come here before! It’s cozy, food is amazing, staff is super friendly. A treat for vegetarians for sure:)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pat V
It is nice to have a vegetarian restaurant with vegan and some gluten free options. This is my first time to the new location after they moved from the longtime location on Roosevelt. There are a lot hard surfaces so it gets pretty loud there. The place was pretty full. That considered, the service was reasonably prompt. I got the gluten free lemon poppy seed waffle. I did not taste much in the way of lemon and it was kind of dry. I should have avoided gluten free. They did not have hashbrowns per se, but more like fried potatoes. They were ok but I was in the mood for hasbrowns. The menu has changed since they moved so I was a little disappointed. Based on the other reviews it seems like people like the food. I think the main issue for me was I was expecting something different.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
M W.
I have eyed this place for years... Been very excited to try it, and finally got to the other day. Holy crap, I think this place takes the cake for the worst meal I've ever spent money on. A gluten-free option for sandwiches and burgers is great, but why have it be cornbread that doesn't hold up? You literally cannot pick up the burger because the cornbread crumbles into 1 million pieces turning into a soggy weird mess. The burger itself wasn't too bad albeit over salted... Soup on the side had the weirdest confusing flavor but not enough salt. Overall a mess of a meal for an expensive price tag. I would give more grace if the burger wasn't nearly $20 without even including a side.
Bj Hedahl
So disappointing.... remembering when this place opened in its original location and knowing they try very hard to serve organic and/or local food. Ok, potatoes were too salty to eat, and we both really like potatoes of any kind. And toast without jam? And no catsup on the table? ... and trying to get 5 different employees' attention to obtain these items took a little bit too long. The only thing that I can possibly say that was good is that after mentioning the potatoes, there was compensation of more healthy, grainy english muffins.Vegetarian options: Yes, actually hardly any meat dishesParking: It neighborhood parking.... but people are always coming & goingKid-friendliness: Unfortunately, there are many families with loud tottlers.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. But narrow
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Lemon Poppy Seed Waffle and Breakfast Burrito
Leana Cain
Love the food, service and location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Vegan Highlander, Sunlight Huevos Rancheros
Rev Justin Almeida MDiv
How much do I love Sunlight Cafe let me count the ways! Amazing food. Beautiful and friendly staff. Hip atmosphere. Great location in Roosevelt neighborhood. Perfect for dates, friend gatherings, brunch, and conversations. It can be a little expensive but you get what you pay for - quality!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: The Vegan Highlander, Sunlight Rancheros, The Deluxe, Sesame Crunch Waffle, Tahini French Toast
Darlene C.
I use to lovr this restaurant. Couldn't wait to have the blushing salad. They have changed the lemon tahini dressing. It doesn't taste the same or lemony. You change long time recipes, you loose customers. Last time I was there, I thought it was me. I took my husband this time. He wanted to take home two bottles. I said one. We are both so glad we didn't invest more. Will I go back. Questionable Better off raising your prices, but keep the recipes that made your restaurant. Add new stuff.
L Holmberg
Love this place! Have been a regular customer for decades. Family owned and operated, delicious, healthful organic food, warm and welcoming.Vegetarian options: Great vegetarian and vegan options. Tempeh burger, tempeh tacos, sautéed vegetables and rice, lasagna and any of the breads, soups, salads and baked goods are delicious (yogi tea is good as well)Honestly, I've never ordered anything I didn't like - everything is always made to order, fresh, and so tasty!Dietary restrictions: Very flexible and accommodating! Very nice people, very understanding and willing to adjust.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly
What is going on at sunlight? I love this spot since way back when but I feel ripped off after today. Food was average. Broccoli served in breakfast veggies was going bad. Tofu was cold in the middle.Service was so bizarre. Very unskilled and awkward. Worst bloody Mary ever. Total salt bomb. I said something and it was replaced with an even WORSE bloody Mary.I just can't anymore. I think we have broken up after 20 years.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Tammy S
The food in this place is amazing. The service is a different story altogether. Our server was extremely rude for no reason whatsoever. This person told us, while taking our order, that our glasses of water will be out soon. We requested to have our waters without ice. The server gave a very sarcastic reply. The server’s attitude was entirely off-putting which is a shame because the cafe’s food is on point.I’m not really sure what warranted the rude tone, because we weren’t offensive or rude, but it ruined my day. I won’t be visiting the cafe for a while after this incident, hopefully, if I go next time I won’t have to deal with such an acerbic attitude.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Gary Zibrat
Food is pretty good but takes forever to come out. Be prepared to wait 30-40 minutes after ordering.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Reily Love
Amazing vegetarian/vegan fare! We've been coming here for over 25 years and consider this restaurant a local treasure.
This place was such a refreshing experience. I can’t believe I didn’t come here before! It’s cozy, food is amazing, staff is super friendly. A treat for vegetarians for sure:)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It is nice to have a vegetarian restaurant with vegan and some gluten free options. This is my first time to the new location after they moved from the longtime location on Roosevelt. There are a lot hard surfaces so it gets pretty loud there. The place was pretty full. That considered, the service was reasonably prompt. I got the gluten free lemon poppy seed waffle. I did not taste much in the way of lemon and it was kind of dry. I should have avoided gluten free. They did not have hashbrowns per se, but more like fried potatoes. They were ok but I was in the mood for hasbrowns. The menu has changed since they moved so I was a little disappointed. Based on the other reviews it seems like people like the food. I think the main issue for me was I was expecting something different.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
I have eyed this place for years... Been very excited to try it, and finally got to the other day. Holy crap, I think this place takes the cake for the worst meal I've ever spent money on. A gluten-free option for sandwiches and burgers is great, but why have it be cornbread that doesn't hold up? You literally cannot pick up the burger because the cornbread crumbles into 1 million pieces turning into a soggy weird mess. The burger itself wasn't too bad albeit over salted... Soup on the side had the weirdest confusing flavor but not enough salt. Overall a mess of a meal for an expensive price tag. I would give more grace if the burger wasn't nearly $20 without even including a side.
So disappointing.... remembering when this place opened in its original location and knowing they try very hard to serve organic and/or local food. Ok, potatoes were too salty to eat, and we both really like potatoes of any kind. And toast without jam? And no catsup on the table? ... and trying to get 5 different employees' attention to obtain these items took a little bit too long. The only thing that I can possibly say that was good is that after mentioning the potatoes, there was compensation of more healthy, grainy english muffins.Vegetarian options: Yes, actually hardly any meat dishesParking: It neighborhood parking.... but people are always coming & goingKid-friendliness: Unfortunately, there are many families with loud tottlers.Wheelchair accessibility: Yes. But narrow
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Lemon Poppy Seed Waffle and Breakfast Burrito
Love the food, service and location!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: The Vegan Highlander, Sunlight Huevos Rancheros
How much do I love Sunlight Cafe let me count the ways! Amazing food. Beautiful and friendly staff. Hip atmosphere. Great location in Roosevelt neighborhood. Perfect for dates, friend gatherings, brunch, and conversations. It can be a little expensive but you get what you pay for - quality!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: The Vegan Highlander, Sunlight Rancheros, The Deluxe, Sesame Crunch Waffle, Tahini French Toast
I use to lovr this restaurant. Couldn't wait to have the blushing salad. They have changed the lemon tahini dressing. It doesn't taste the same or lemony. You change long time recipes, you loose customers. Last time I was there, I thought it was me. I took my husband this time. He wanted to take home two bottles. I said one. We are both so glad we didn't invest more. Will I go back. Questionable Better off raising your prices, but keep the recipes that made your restaurant. Add new stuff.
Love this place! Have been a regular customer for decades. Family owned and operated, delicious, healthful organic food, warm and welcoming.Vegetarian options: Great vegetarian and vegan options. Tempeh burger, tempeh tacos, sautéed vegetables and rice, lasagna and any of the breads, soups, salads and baked goods are delicious (yogi tea is good as well)Honestly, I've never ordered anything I didn't like - everything is always made to order, fresh, and so tasty!Dietary restrictions: Very flexible and accommodating! Very nice people, very understanding and willing to adjust.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sunlight Nachos, Lemon Tahini Dressing, Guacamole, Salsa, Toast
Sunlight Cafe is a mainstay of our community! We LOVE the food, service, and vibe. So much more than a restaurant!
Wonderful neighborhood place serving delicious food , reasonable prices ,friendly staff , relaxed feeling and local art !
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
What is going on at sunlight? I love this spot since way back when but I feel ripped off after today. Food was average. Broccoli served in breakfast veggies was going bad. Tofu was cold in the middle.Service was so bizarre. Very unskilled and awkward. Worst bloody Mary ever. Total salt bomb. I said something and it was replaced with an even WORSE bloody Mary.I just can't anymore. I think we have broken up after 20 years.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
The food in this place is amazing. The service is a different story altogether. Our server was extremely rude for no reason whatsoever. This person told us, while taking our order, that our glasses of water will be out soon. We requested to have our waters without ice. The server gave a very sarcastic reply. The server’s attitude was entirely off-putting which is a shame because the cafe’s food is on point.I’m not really sure what warranted the rude tone, because we weren’t offensive or rude, but it ruined my day. I won’t be visiting the cafe for a while after this incident, hopefully, if I go next time I won’t have to deal with such an acerbic attitude.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Food is pretty good but takes forever to come out. Be prepared to wait 30-40 minutes after ordering.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Amazing vegetarian/vegan fare! We've been coming here for over 25 years and consider this restaurant a local treasure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lemon Tahini Dressing, The Vegan Highlander, Sunlight Huevos Rancheros
I love this place, great food, very old school, chill atmosphere and staff, not that expensive given the area, what's not to
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5