Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
Organic

Vegetarian restaurant with a seasonal menu. Has vegan options including some daily specials, but menu labeling is not reliable as often times vegetarian dishes are marked as vegan so please check with staff. Relaxed, indie atmosphere and at times very busy. Open Tue-Sun 12:00-23:00.


Venue map for CUIB
© OpenStreetMap contributors

21 Reviews

First Review by ilinca

stadthund

Points +273

Vegan
28 Mar 2024

An oasis in the city centre

We arrived in Iaşi at 7:30PM and as apparent from Happycow, all the veg(etari)an places still open would only offer burgers. After a long day on the road, we preferred something fresh, so we rushed to Cuib and placed our order at 8:15… The online menu was a bit difficult to handle, as not everything was translated into English and we wanted to make sure we’re getting vegan, not vegetarian food. We chose the vegetable soup, salad, curry, and tacos. All super yummy! The wine list is short, but the rosé we had was great! Next morning, a local friend wanted to set up our meeting at Cuib and I was happy to return for a cup of coffee, and to learn about the social responsibility Cuib takes in the community. Worth your support!

Updated from previous review on 2024-03-28

Pros: Good food for good cause, Lovely service, An oasis in the bustling city centre

Cons: Menu was difficult to navigate, Short opening time (until 10PM)

Juliacrevecoeur

Points +19

Vegetarian
20 May 2023

Super

Bon endroit pour se reposer et avoir des petits plats végétariens. Très abordable.

Pros: Plat principalement végétarien , Café végétal

Cons: Menu en Anglais

Veronikaz

Points +209

Vegan
07 May 2023

Great veg place

A great veretarian place with a few vegan options

CristinaRo

Points +105

Vegan
04 Mar 2023

A bistro with a mission

CUIB (Romanian for "nest") is an acronym for "Centru Urban de Inițiative Bune" ("Urban Centre for Good Initiatives").

I had lunch here many times when I lived in Iași and when I was passing by.

The bistro is very close to the train station (about a 10 minute walk) and it's worth a visit if you need to recharge your batteries.

Here are some of the reasons why I think this place rocks:
* it's a social enterprise, started by an NGO fighting for social and ecological causes;
* it often hosts events like potlucks, fundraisers, documentary screenings (which are quite fun and bring like-minded people together);
* the atmosphere and music are delightful and cosy;
* companion animals are welcome!
* I would describe the food as comforting, delicious, and nutritious;
* there is something for every budget. I'd recommend the daily menu and the chickpea omelette if you're tight with money. Their cupcakes are also very filling;
* fairtrade coffee and tea are ensured;
* they offer filtered water for free!
* they have various menus for different seasons;
* they have a firm attitude against using animal flesh in their recipes;
* friendly staff—you always feel welcome here;
* they use fresh, local ingredients, and are super invested in preventing food waste;
* take-out food is in reusable containers (you are also encouraged to bring your own container);
* they have a little shop in the back where you can find clothes, accessories, skincare products—all made locally—and books;
* they wrote a 100% vegan cookbook! (I also contributed with a couple of recipes, tee-hee!).

I'll update the post if I missed anything (and will definitely add some pictures).

Updated from previous review on 2023-03-04

Pros: Most food is vegan; super fresh and tasty, The daily menu gives the most bang for your buck, They have a little sales exhibition in the back

Cons: Not 100% vegan; they could be if they wanted to

JitskeFransens

Points +66

Vegan
02 Feb 2023

GREAT place

Had the daily menu with a friend. 3 courses that were all really original and great to try from soup to bread and the atmosphere was great. The dog that just walks in made it even better.

Pros: Amazing vegan options, Great atmosphere

mikeberendsen

Points +171

Vegan
20 Sep 2022

Fantastic place

It had a great variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes and the once I tasted were great! I would 100% recommend checking this place out!

Pros: Beautiful outside area, Great food, Vegan friendly

Mechteld

Points +30

Vegan
10 Jul 2022

Nice!

Really nice and friendly place! The dishes are not all that original but the quality makes up for it 100%.
Had such a tasty dinner! Would truly recommend!

Pros: All vegan, All local, Taste test approved!!

IulianConstantinescu

Points +83

Vegetarian
06 Jun 2022

Good, vegan or vegetarian food 🥑🥝!

Good food and nice people.

VictoriaCernat

Points +27

Vegetarian
21 Jun 2020

I love this place

Is a restaurant I know from the opening, with fresh and local products. I always love to eat here when I get to Iasi. I strongly recommend

IoanIacob

Points +34

Vegan
25 Apr 2020

Nest-like, Very cosy

When I first came there I noticed the atmosphere. It was very overwhelming.
At the gate you see a green bicycle and the program.
When you enter in the building you have the bathrooms on the right. They are very eco-centered.
The menu is very nice. They make it for all the seasons and they cook with local ingredients.
They offer good prices and delicious food.
At night, they have light-bulbs in the yard. It is very romantic.


Updated from previous review on 2020-04-25

Pros: Vegan options, Green Bicycle, Wall decorations

Cons: A little bit crammed, A little bit expensive if you are a Romanian, The smoking outside is allowed

ScubyRebels

Points +28

Vegan
15 Feb 2020

Good food

Nice place.
It isn't a vegan restaurant, BUT they have lots of vegan options.
I recomand it.

happiestcow

Points +72

Vegan
18 Dec 2019

Lovely bohemian

Love the bohemian decor
Food is excellent

JonTurner2000

Points +379

Vegetarian
17 Nov 2018

Get Here in a Flash When Visiting Iasi

How fantastic that basically the only veggie/vegan place in Iasi is so great!

In a little house a few minutes walk from Piata M Eminescu tram stop; there's a lovely patio garden area outside and it's cosy and welcoming inside.

With a great menu selection and good portion sizes, we reallly enjoyed our lunch on both the occasions we came here over a few days visit to the city.

I can't think of any reason you wouldn't come here when visiting Iasi!

Pros: Tasty, Relaxing Environment, Friendly Service

maibineadi

Points +18

Vegan
04 Sep 2018

Best vegan options town

They use as well the most natural and local ingredients, give filtered water for free and have several fair trade options

Pros: vegan options for most dishes, only vegetarian restaurant in town, best report quality price

Cons: too small when the terasse is not open, no children area, no children chairs

aciduzzo

Points +18

Vegan
12 Aug 2018

Unique place in Iasi/Moldova

This place has good vegan options, was created by a NGO (Mai Bine) who is promoting veganism and environmental sustainability.

Pros: terrace is under trees, free filtered water, you can take food on the go

cfvd13

Points +26

Vegetarian
05 Aug 2018

Nice and cozy place

Vegan friendly, simple and nice food, nice and carefoul personal.

Pros: multiple options

Cons: nothing

JerryEhlers

Points +57

Vegan
07 Jan 2018

Awesome food!

Vegan-friendly restaurant right in Iasi. There are many vegan options--mushroom sandwich, burger, appetizers, etc. I had the vegan and my friend had the mushroom sandwich. Both were awesome!

Pros: Cheap, Great food, Great atmosphere

AlinCiocan

Points +32

Vegan
19 Feb 2017

Best vegetarian / vegan-friendly restaurant in Iasi

The fact that over 95% of the ingredients are local and chosen with care to be from organic and sustainable agriculture is awesome.

The interior is lovely decorated with recycled materials and objects which gives you a the sensation of being very comfy and it feels like home, but with very tasty foods.

The daily menu has an affordable price and usually there is one option for vegans. :)

Pros: delicious food, locally bought ingredients, comfy place

RalucaM

Points +72

Vegan
07 Feb 2017

perfect restaurant

Food is delicious and at a great price! There are plenty of vegan options available and the daily menu is a bargain. it is more than just a food outlet. Perfect place to eat!

Pros: fresh and delicious food, family friendly, affordable prices

Sasha,yetanother

Points +52

Vegan
23 Jul 2016

Charming place

We enjoyed the atmosphere in CUIB very much. Very nice and relaxing decor.

The salty vegan crepe was very nice (we could not locate it in the menu, but we asked for it and got it).

Beware that they close the kitchen at some point in the evening (I think 21:00), and then you can only enjoy some cold dishes, so it is better to call or confirm somehow when exactly can you come.

They also have some food products for sale, although I don't remember what exactly.

ilinca

Points +187

Vegan
31 May 2015

Try the vegan pancakes and saratele

I was delighted to find such great herbed pancakes with mushrooms and sunflower and pumpkin seed cream. Came with a bit of salad. Very filling (much more than 2 pancakes sound!) and I would definitely buy them again. Top of my favourites list.

I also recommend the "saratele", a starter they serve all year round. They're basically long, savoury crackers with plenty of seeds and they comes with fresh or preserved tomato and garlic sauce (depending on the season).

Oh, and the terrace is lovely!

Pros: Specials menu, Nice terrace, Filling portions, some very tasty

Cons: They often run out of saratele, Limited vegan options, Not all vegan dishes equally tasty




This page has been viewed 0 times.