Vegan-friendly
Chinese
Delivery
Take-out
Vietnamese
Non-veg

Serves meat, vegan options available. Offers a separate veg food menu with a variety of mock meats. Menu is based on a fusion of traditional Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. Has space for private party. Relocated from Dean St. Confirmed open September 2021. Open Tue-Sun 12:00-21:00.


Venue map for Cafe Soya
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61 Reviews

First Review by Katherinef

westcall

Points +280

Vegan
28 Oct 2024

Sweet tiny eatery

We stayed at travellodge wich is only a few steps away. They have different menus and one especially vegetarian but with a lot of vegan options mentioned above every list of meals. They even have vegan milkshakes.

Because there are so many options it's difficult choose hahaha 😆

The people are willing to help you out if you have questions, the staff is very friendly.
The meals we had are large and the price is therefore pretty good.

I really recommend this place to visit if you're in Birmingham city.

Updated from previous review on 2024-10-28

Pros: Big variety of vegan options, Friendly staff, Good pricing

Cons: Maybe the speed of cleaning up

Joycee

Points +20

Vegan
26 Sep 2024

Seperate full vegan menu

Almost every non-vegan dish has an even more delicious vegan counterpart

Pros: Delicious food, Friendly staff

Cons: Cash only , Small

KirstyFellows

Points +514

Vegan
10 Sep 2024

Lovely food and vegan milkshake

Lots of great options to choose from. Food tasted amazing and I absolutely loved the vegan milkshake

hannahmagodora

Points +370

Vegan
22 Aug 2024

Fantastic menu!

I was blown away with the menu and the authenticity! So many options and flavours to choose from. Huge portions, flavourful, affordable, friendly, perfect!

Updated from previous review on 2024-08-22

pjn

Points +39

Vegan
17 May 2024

Fantastic

Really tasty food, and friendly and welcoming service. Relatively small place, and relaxed cafe type vibes rather than a restaurant. They have an extensive vegetarian menu with both vegetable-based dishes, tofu, and mock-meat options. Most of the vegetarian menu is also vegan, aside from a small number of dishes that contain egg. This is clearly marked on the menu. Portions are plentiful. The venue is cash only- they signpost this on the door as well as when welcoming you in. There’s a cashpoint just around the corner in the arcadian centre. A great option if you’re headed to the Hippodrome or Glee afterwards.

Pros: Reasonably priced, Extensive vegan and vegetarian menu

HappyVeganBloke

Points +137

Vegan
13 May 2024

Cash only

Happy cow states cards accepted, they don't
Was looking forward to trying this place out. Hard to understand why a restaurant in a nice part of town, only accepts cash in this day and age.

Updated from previous review on 2024-05-12

wanjiruzee

Points +30

Vegan
06 Mar 2024

Yum

Great value for money, separate vegan/vegetarian menu. Everything is clearly labelled. I got a mixed plate with crispy noodles although I think regular noodles would be better

Pros: Portions

JezBailey

Points +146

Vegan
18 Feb 2024

Nice change

Wanted something different to Wagamamas as t was the daughter’s birthday
Heard god things.
We’ll have to say huge rations , great staff and good food

Pros: Knowledgeable staff, Vegan options, Price

Cons: Cash only

Zdenka

Points +449

Vegan
11 Feb 2024

Nice cafe in Chinatown

Found this place on happy cow and decided to try it. Nice cafe located in China town, lot of vegan options including fake meats and shakes. I had vegan fish which was tasty, but found the dish to be a little bland overall. I just wish it wasn't cash only. I rarely use cash and had to withdraw money just to go there. I'd like to try more dishes but the cash thing is a bit annoying.

Pros: Lot of vegan options

Cons: Cash only

brittjrutt

Points +462

Vegan
11 Oct 2023

Tasty mock meats

Great variety of dishes on the menu, lots of mock meat and seafood. Really big portions and good value for money. Came a few times, pictured is the lemongrass “chicken” ramen which was my favourite!

🐠Rfriends

22 Feb 2024

I'm so confused. I checked their menu online; 'vegan' is only mentioned in one dish and the vegetarian menu has egg and oyster sauce all over it. Did you ask while you were there?

JasiTingTing

Points +1224

Vegan
28 Sep 2023

The best tofu desert 😍 AKA tofu fa


Had lunch at Cafe Soya.

They do the best Tofu Fa, it’s my fav chinese dessert! Give it a try next time you are there 😍

I had to buy 6 portions to take home coz there’s no good tofu fa up north 🤭

Pros: Amazing selection , Fresh soya milk, Best Tofu Fa Dessert

kennyp353

Points +1717

Vegetarian
11 Aug 2023

The promise wasn't realised

Really wanted to love this place.

We had a shared starter, two mains, no sides and two cheap drinks for £42. That's a lot.

Crispy duck pancakes starter was OK, the duck far too dry and not enough pancakes, but we enjoyed it enough.

Lemongrass chicken soup, and lemongrass chicken rice - chicken was great, but lemongrass and basil lacking in both broth and rice. Broth was dull, rice was dry and tasteless.

Service basic and fairly rude. Cash only, for obvious yet still disappointing reasons.

My partner was very ill an hour or so after dinner, from both ends. We decided, all things considered, that we would not return.

Pros: Wide menu for veggies, all vegan when eggless

Cons: Far too expensive, Dull and tasteless food, Disinterested and borderline rude service

KerryAnneBarnett

Points +268

Vegan
12 Jul 2023

Amazing choice

Really lovely authentic cafe. Great vegan options, the fruity ribs were amazing 🤩 Massive portions! Friendly staff

Pros: The choice , The atmosphere

liamwilde

Points +300

Vegan
22 Apr 2023

The best food

We've been to Birmingham just for Cafe Soya in the past. The best "chicken" and rice I've had.

rileywilde

Points +780

Vegan
16 Apr 2023

Literally my favourite place to eat

Cafe soya will always be my number one choice when I'm visiting Birmingham. I wish I could give it 5 stars. The portions are generous and the amount of choice is incredible.

ComebackKid

Points +212

Vegan
14 Apr 2023

Lots of vegan options, great shakes

Has a big vegetarian menu and the majority of dishes are vegan or can be made vegan by requesting no egg. Also do vegan soya shakes which are lush

emma_hulme

Points +290

Vegan
13 Apr 2023

Amazing vegan food and staff understand veganism well!

Probable the best vegan Chinese in a long way!

Updated from previous review on 2023-03-31

Pros: Lots of veggie/vegan options, Staff checked of egg or oyster sauce was wanted

Cons: None!!

BethMSlade

Points +108

Vegan
28 Mar 2023

Best vegan Chinese food 😍

I travel into Birmingham to visit cafe soya monthly, such a brilliant menu. Mock meats a-plenty if that’s your thing, but lots of tofu and veg options too. The warm soy milk is delicious (as is the cold, and milkshakes) as it’s made fresh daily. It’s a small restaurant with c.20 seats available, but they turnover people quickly, and will hold a table for you if you’re unlucky in timing. Cash only too 💚

Pros: Huge vegan menu, Soy milk!

Cons: Cash only

IshmaelBradford

Points +69

Vegan
12 Mar 2023

Delicious

There are many vegan options served here and the two I have had were delicious! I've had one savoury option and one a sweet coconut milkshake. I will definitely be popping in again sometime when I'm around.

Rasculture

Points +84

Vegan
27 Feb 2023

hands down best chinese

Would travel far and wide to go here but thankfully live within the city! Consistently good food, served with great service and a HUGE HUGE HUGE menu.
Hands down in the top 5 vegan friendly restaurants in this whole of Bham.

Pros: massive menu, consistently good

Cons: cash only, cant book

phimmy

Points +24

Vegan
19 Feb 2023

Wonderful

Had the crispy noodles with a variety of mock meats. The fish and shrimp mocks were fantastic with great flavour and texture. My meat-loving father was pleasantly suprised!

Pros: Lots of vegan options, Big portions, Vegan milkshakes!!!

Cons: Cash only

WonderingWanderingVeg

Points +39

Vegan
11 Jan 2023

Very Vegan Friendly

This is a regular spot for me in Birmingham. I've been coming here for a good few years and the food is always delicious. And even though they serve meat, I've never accidentally been given meat, despite the number of dishes I've ordered (which happens a lot elsewhere).

It's pretty small and cosy inside. I tend to go when I'm looking for something kind of quick. There are a lot of great dishes but I really love the Vietnamese vegetable rice and the Tom Yum.

Oh, and they only accept cash so grab some from the ATM nearby.

Pros: All the food, Staff

Cons: Only takes cash

hornistin

Points +180

Vegan
19 Nov 2022

So many options!

Really tasty with an extensive vegan menu. It’s really popular and there is a wait time, but the service is friendly and super-quick.

catandcupcake

Points +5260

Vegan
16 Oct 2022

Fresh and delicious

Food came so quickly. Portions are huge with loads of fresh fruit and veg, with tofu or fake meat. Beers cold. Excellent, highly recommend. Most of the vegetarian menu is vegan, anything with egg is clearly marked and they double check when ordering. Cash only.

fellowdisappointment

Points +40

Vegan
15 Sep 2022

Tastes amazing

I went there with my mom snd my sister and there were many vegan options and it tasted so good! The portions were really large so maybe we should have shared instead of ordering our own and not being able to eat all of it.

foobixcube

Points +109

Vegan
13 Sep 2022

Consistently amazing

I have been going to cafe soya for years and the food has remained consistently amazing.

There is so much choice, the portions are big, the food is delicious and made from lovely fresh ingredients.

Their Tofu is definitely some of the best I've ever had. Tofu in satay is my personal favourite and go to main it's served with loads of brocolli and peppers. Also really like the tofu in black bean with aubergine and the vermicelli salad. Their starters are exciting, the vegan prawn toast is soooo good.

You absolutely have to try a mango soya shake, it is devine, so thick and refreshing, my favourite drink on the planet, I wish they'd bottle it up so I could have it all the time!

It is a cafe so sometimes you have to wait, there is limited seating and it's so popular because it's so good, but the service is quick and it is worth the wait.

Pros: The best tofu and shakes, Loads of choice , Delicious

Cons: Small, so sometimes have to wait

ErikvH.

Points +1646

Vegan
11 Sep 2022

Love this place!

If you’re in Birmingham and hungry for vegan asian food but nothing too fancy or expensive: this is the place! This nice little place in Chinatown has a large vegetarian menu, but most if it is actually vegan, unless stated otherwise. I devoured my plate with vegan chicken with corn fried rice, it was so good! Recommended.

Updated from previous review on 2022-09-11

Pros: Many plant based options, Huge portions, Good price

Cons: I was so full I couldn’t try the milkshakes.




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