Vegan-friendly
Chinese
Take-out
Asian
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Chinese restaurant that was previously all veg, but switched to offering flesh meat since winter 2009. Separate veg menu and cooking. Menu includes various mock meats like veggie ham and veggie goose. Spacious interior with large round tables as well booth seating. Reported closed, Sep 2019.
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5802 Macleod Trail SW (at 57th Ave S), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2J 0P6
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Last update on 12 Sep 2019 by Guest
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30 Reviews
First Review by jasvir
marystestkitchen
Points +34
Yummy westernized Chinese food - Edit
I eat at Buddha's about once every 3 weeks; whenever I feel like indulging in some greasy, satisfying Chinese food.
Read moreThey have really delicious veggie ginger beef, mock fish dishes (my new fave), Singapore style vermicelli noodles, etc. They have a "meat" menu and a "veggie" menu so be sure you have the right one! Some of the dishes on the veg menu are NOT vegan-friendly (like the chow mein) so be sure to ask.
It's a westernized food, so there are lots of deep-fried stuff drenched in sweet/greasy sauces.
Service is really typical of a Chinese restaurant, I feel. Blunt. Not exactly graceful. Some may construe as rude. But there is that cultural difference. Don't expect your waitress to be super-attentive or personable. All this aside, the service is generally accurate and fast.
Prices are expensive for what you get (comparing to similar restaurants in Vancouver) but don't have much of a choice if that's the kind of food you want in Calgary.
All in all, I would recommend this restaurant to friends. It's tasty and good for a once-in-a-while indulgence.
Updated from previous review on Thursday October 24, 2013
EDIT 2019:
Sadly, they were inconsistent when identifying vegan options. Some items IDed as vegan were not. I haven't returned for years.
Updated from previous review on 2019-09-13
Pros: tasty food, fast service
Cons: food tends to be oily, wait staff tend to be blunt
Guest
shell_mew
Points +32
Minimal descriptions - Edit
Ordered the curry with veggies from vegetarian/vegan menu. When I got it it came with almost no veggies and in bowl with lots of questionable fake meat such as shrimp and other weird faux meats. It did not indicate on the menu at all about all the items in the dish and I asked if they brought me the wrong dish. And they said it was all vegan and not too worry. I said I couldn’t eat it and they still charged me full price and said it wasn’t their fault I didn’t know what I was ordering.
Read moreGuest
HeatherAshley
Points +58
Ate here got very sick - Edit
Went here and felt very sick afterwards not many real vegan items on the menu
Read morePros: Tofu ice cream is great
Cons: Not vegan friendly
Guest
kjwburfoot
Points +84
Not as vegan as they say they are - Edit
Many of the items they claim are vegan-friendly contain whey powder. Also, after looking at their publicly available health inspection reports online I will never go back.
Read morePros: Separate veggie menu, Reasonably priced
Cons: Staff not honest/knowledgeable about ingredients, Poor health inspection records, Rude service
Guest
Amin123
Points +13
Used to be my favorite restaurant but I will never go back again. - Edit
I was there with my family, 7 adults in total. We weren't super hungry, so didn't order a lot of food. After our last dish came out (which took a long time to make), the server told us that we need to order more food or else they would charge us $9 for each adult present.
Read moreI've never been to a restaurant where you're forced to order more food.
The server told us that the amount of food which we ordered wasn't enough to meet the minimum of $9/person - which in fact it was. So we ordered another dish anyways.
When I tried to explain that we had met the "minimum order" for 7 adults, she then changed her tone and said that the kids were also to pay the $9 each.
I am really sad as the food is very good, but after being embarrassed by the server in front of my family, we will never go back, nor will we recommend this place to anyone else.
Guest
EeliakRellim
Points +32
Amazing! - Edit
This is one of our favourite places to go out for dinner. Very friendly service here we love all the vegan options very good food!
Read moreGuest
MeiLi
Points +391
So many dishes! - Edit
Huge Chinese vegetarian/vegan menu. Fresh, made to order. Knowledgeable staff. It's a shame they started serving meat but this just means they need more veg love from all of us. So give them a try.
Read moreGuest
Vegitrd
Points +137
Okay - Edit
Most items were fried or had high oil content. The tofu used was a soft silken tofu and did not seem like the best consistency in the dishes we chose. But it seemed like the best option in the area.
Read moreGuest
orski
Points +91
Wonderful - Edit
Hot and tasty sweet and sour faux pork. The brown rice was al dente. The restaurant was fairly busy. My server was attentive. It wasn't health food, but I wanted an indulgence and found it.
Read moreNext time I'll bring one or two friends along, and try more
dishes.
Re-visited, with my brother, veggie dumplings were delightful,
"Special Rice" was the best rice I've ever tasted, Vegetables in Coconut Curry very mild, incredibly tasty.
Updated from previous review on Thursday July 16, 2015
Pros: Fusion of a variety of asian cuisines, Gifted chef, Friendly staff
Cons: closed on Monday and Tuesday
Guest
fondducoeur
Points +1167
Great Selection - Edit
The veg menu is very large, so that is great. I tried the fried drumsticks and the veggie beef and broccoli with black bean sauce. The drumstick appetizer was actually really good. The veggie beef tasted fine, pretty much what I remember non-vegetarian Westernized Chinese food tasting like. Definitely pricey for what you get ($14 for the entree, plus an extra $3.50 or so for the rice!), but it was worth it to have nice vegetarian meal while staying in Calgary. I thought the service was fine, no complaints.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Monday July 20, 2015
Pros: Big Menu, Tasty Food
Cons: Expensive
Guest
NancyCardinal
Points +20
God it was good - Edit
This was the first restaurant I went to that catered to vegans. They had a menu for vegans and vegetarians and a menu for meat eaters. My food was awesome I was so impressed.
Read morePros: You can bring your meat eating friends , The selection is great
Guest
aFirefly
Points +31
Disappointing Food and Poor Service - Edit
I was anticipating delicious ginger meat-alternative and salt 'n' pepper veggies and somewhere, it went awry.
Read moreI will start off by clarifying that the woman serving us was alone, but there was only one other table. The service was very slow, regardless. We had to ask for water and she only came around once at the end of the meal to refill (although they were empty longer).
I had the "veggie ginger beef lunch combo", veggie spring rolls, and deep fried eggplant in spicy salt. I didn't like any of it, unfortunately!The imitation ginger beef didn't have the same taste of the ginger beef sauce, even, and there was an pleasant almost smoky taste to it. It came with rice and veggies. Not stir fry veggies. just boiled peas and carrots. Portions were generous enough, though it was working against me today! The spring rolls were a good texture, but I did not like the taste at all. I was with some omnivores, one of whom had ordered salt and pepper squid she reported was good! I wanted something similar so got it in eggplant.
It was definitely fresh, it came out steaming! Texture was nice and crunchy! But it was so salty. My friends tried it, and they reported it was much salter than the squid. Too bad! They said their meals were fine, though!
Pros: Options
Cons: Slow, Poor service, Food did not meet expectations
Guest
Peacemonger
Points +21
Menu changes: daily & lunch specials, gluten-free - Edit
Buddha's Veggie has made some changes in their menu over the last few months. Some people have commented that they think the regular prices are high compared to other Chinese restaurants. Buddha's Veggie now offers a daily special (vegetarian or meat) for $10. The specials include ginger beef, sweet and sour pork, beef and vegetables in black bean sauce, kung po chicken, chicken fried rice, and shrimp with cashew nuts. Obviously, the vegetarian versions are fake meat. They have lunch specials, as well.
Read moreSomeone commented that they found the gluten-free options to be far too limited. The menu now lists about a dozen gluten-free items, which are variations on tofu, mushrooms, almonds, and veggies. I believe that the restaurant increased the number of gluten-free choices fairly recently, perhaps because they were on the GF restaurant list in Calgary, and thus getting a lot of people requesting these dishes.
Guest
JohnKeith
Points +145
Back to Buddha's - Edit
We had given up on Buddha's a couple of years ago. Inconsistent food quality, then a meat menu, spotty service and spotty hours. We were driving by, and thought we would give them another shot for lunch. What a surprise. The food was back to its old quality (delicious) and with the lunch specials, was fairly inexpensive. We tried it again the next week, and the same experience. We are now regulars again, and are loving our old favorites. A word of caution, we have not been back for dinner, so we have no idea how things are in the evening. But with the lunch specials every day, we may not even have to go back in the evening. If you haven't been there in a while, try it for lunch. It's great.
Read morePros: Great Food, Great Lunch Specials
Cons: Still a meat menu
Guest
kimward8
Points +574
Delicious Dry Ribs! - Edit
I wasn't sure about this place at first, but I think I just wasn't ordering the right thing. The last few times I went I got the dry ribs, and they are amazing. They remind me of fried chicken, which I used to love before I became vegan. So now this is one of my favourite places in Calgary.
Read moreGuest
Baxter
Points +125
So-so - Edit
I've eaten here a few times, and the food is good (actually, their veggie ginger beef is amazing), but the service is adequate at best, and they charge for water!!! I just asked for some hot water to drink and they charged $1.50.
Read moreSomeone posted that because they serve shark fin soup he/she won't be going back, but the menu says they use mock meat - so don't let that keep you from going.
Pros: Veggie Ginger Beef
Cons: Service, They nickle & dime you!
Guest
JacquelineRu88ell
Points +293
NOT Gluten Free Friendly - Edit
I having been going to Buddha's Veggie for years- it is a great place to take meat eating friends and I have always found them very accommodating. Having been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease- my sister and I chose to go out for dinner to Buddha's Veggie expecting a restaurant that caters to vegetarians to be understanding of dietary restrictions. I was deeply disappointed by the rude response of our waitress- who seemed put out by my questions about which dishes could be made gluten free. (I understand that it is a limiting request- but so many restaurants are wiling to accommodate it these days- I was shocked that Buddha's Veggie was not) Sadly I will not be returning.
Read moreGuest
Posi Britt
Points +679
Oh this place.... - Edit
I really want to love Buddha's but my tummy says no. Everytime I eat here its super amazing and worth the wait, price, etc. But about 45 mins after eating I get the poops. No idea what causes it. Probably my stomach reacting to a spice in the food. Everyone else I have talked to have never had this problem, but its not a one time thing for me. I have tried multiple times to enjoy this lovely place. My stomach just won't have it. Don't base the food off this. It is really good.
Read moreI haven't been since they started serving meat. I am disappointed that they have. It doesn't make sense to me.
Pros: Really good food, Kinda fancy inside
Cons: Expensive, My belly hates it
Guest
hiroselee
Points +28
So delicious! - Edit
I've been to this place three times and it's been great every time. Such a great place to go if you miss greasy chinese food and the greatness of ginger beef! I honestly think the ginger "beef" here is better than the actual real thing, because it's not difficult to chew... it's pure deliciousness.. The kungpo chicken is delicious as well. The service is very friendly and quick! Highly recommended!
Read moreunfortunately, they serve meat, but they cook the meat separately from the vegetarian dishes.
Pros: excellent food, friendly staff
Cons: unhealthy food, serves meat
Guest
unschooling mama
Points +25
Love it! - Edit
We have been going here for a little while now, knowing that it existed through Happy Cow(thank-you)!!!My whole family loves this place. My son(the only non-vegetarian in our home)says that he would happily be a vegetarian if he could eat like this everyday(what does that say about my cooking hmmmm!)our favorites are the dried ribs, ginger beef, and chicken chowmein, and well just about everything!!! Their shrimps were a blast from my meat eating past. Everythings a little greasy(fun!) And we love the service. The only draw back is consistantly the mushrooms do not seem fresh. Oh well, thank God this place exists...a place where veggies can order and not feel like we are aliens from another planet!
Read morePros: FOOD, Service, did i say food
Guest
TLC Veg.
Points +156
Buddha's Veggie - Edit
The food at Buddha's is pretty awesome if you are looking for deep fried comfort food. Super tasty!! The staff is always great. I am just sad that after all the years of being Pure Veggie they felt the need to add a meat menu.
Read morePros: vegan friendly, family friendly, great for large groups
Cons: serves meat , not the healthiest choice
Guest
Tara2323
Points +36
Great Location! - Edit
- Enjoy the dry ribs, ginger beef, and sweet and sour pork!
Read more- Took none veggies there and they tried the fake meat and said it wasnt to bad.
- Service is fast and food is served hot
- Have used take out and food was ready on time
- Great location with parking
All in all we are happy with Buddha's and will continue going there.
Pros: excellent food, friendly staff, good service
Cons: room temp was cold, serves meat too
Guest
23skidoo
Points +46
Nice - Edit
At this point, Buddha's is a veggie institution in Calgary. The food is pretty flavorful despite the limitations they work with (no garlic or onions!). It does tend toward the pricey side for Chinese food, but they do not cheap out on the ingredients.
Read moreIt's a nice little restaurant as well, with good service.
Pros: Good food, Good service
Guest
nspanee
Points +251
paradise of choices - Edit
i'm from switzerland and we don't have anything like that there! before i came to calgary i checked out the vegan places here. when i saw the menu from buddha's veggie i nearly got a heart attack. a holiday to paradise of choice!!!!
Read moreso yesterday i went there with my friend and we ordered 6 or 7 different meals for dinner. i knew in advance that we wont be able to eat them all but i just don't know if i ever come to calgary. the waitresses were very friendly and helpful with what to order on the menu if there was no picture of it. just to know what we'll order. the sizes are really good for the price. we didn't have to wait long for the food. the atmosphere was very positive. they packed all the rest for us to take it home.i hope i'll get there another time during this holiday. i already marked the next meals i'll order ;)
Pros: all vegan, taste, options/choices
Guest
dagny70
Points +314
Deee-licious! - Edit
We were not having the best time in Calgary, and headed to this restaurant after a long, hot, tiring day. I was a little apprehensive when we arrived - situated on a busy road, opposite a huge mall, it didn't look too appealing from the outside. But when we went inside, it was large, airy and very pleasant. And then I saw the menu! It doesn't usually take me very long to decide on a meal, but the choice here was amazing. All kinds of dishes, including noodles, rice, veggies, tofu and what semmed like a zillion faux meats!
Read moreI finally settled on veggie Won Ton soup and Veggie Beef with Broccoli in Black Bean Sauce whilst my partner had Golden Fried Dumplings and Pepper & Candied Veggie Steak. The food was delicious, really tasty, but I must admit we seriously struggled with the huge portions. They are not for the feint-hearted! We were so impressed with the choice available that we took a take-away menu to show our friends back home.
The staff were nice enough - pleasant, polite, and not too overbearing.
I doubt we will ever return to Calgary, but if we did, we would definitely eat here agin.
Pros: Great choice, Tasty food, Good value for money
Cons: Location
Guest
vegan madd
Points +31
grease fest - Edit
If you've been to China/Taiwan as a vegetarian, maybe this food will be delightful and reminiscent of your time there. Or maybe your looking to have a meal all fried or deep fried-still calling it vegetarian/vegan. This is not a healthy variety of food at reasonable cost place.
Read morePros: large tables, friendly staff, chopsticks!
Cons: closed 3-5? , too greasy, expensive
Guest
Mighty Vegan
Points +96
Veggie Pork made my night! - Edit
I ate there a few weeks ago while in Calgary. My wife and I got the Mixed Vegetables Wonton Soup, Sweer and Sour Veggie Pork, and some other veggie dish. The soup was a meal in itself. The "veggie pork" was awesome. Next time I'm there I would get the veggie ribs in orange sauce. I couldn't decide between the two dishes that night, both were recommended by the waitress. I eventually froze up and in my indecision deferred the decision to the waitress. She chose the veggie pork.
Read moreThe restaurant is several miles away from the city center. We drove and there was a parking lot. I presume there is a good way to get there by mass transit. The place itself is very nice and comfortable.
The food seemed kind of expensive compared to similar places. But the portions were large and my wife and I got 2 dishes and the soup and wound up with a lot of leftovers. On top of an expensive dish was also an extra charge for the rice. In NYC where I am from rice always comes with the dish no matter what the price. The menu and prices are online so you can make sure your cool with it before you go if that's a factor.
Overall the place was really good, definitely recommended.
Pros: Good food, Decent ambiance, Pricey
Cons: Not near city center
Guest
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