Lacto
Ovo
American
International
Juice bar
Delivery
Take-out
Catering
Vegetarian cafe focused on farm to table food. Owner is a certified health coach and a long time vegetarian. Offers chickpea and black bean burgers, rice and bean bowls with veggie of the day, soba noodle specials, fresh juices, smoothies and organic tea. Seating for up to 20. Gluten free bread available. Reported to have inconsistent opening hours, check ahead. Reported closed June 2024.
19 Reviews
First Review by kevin-green21
segerbonebakker
Points +33
Permanently closed - Edit
We arrived on March 16, 2024, only to find the place on 274 Lark St shuttered.
Read moreGuest
elyzainharmony
Points +142
NOT OPEN for DINE IN // Call ahead or catering only! - Edit
We stopped in to place an order for pickup and she said they only did call ahead now. She didn’t have the ingredients to make either of the salads, but was kind enough to be honest & suggest another place. They mostly do catering now, so if you are looking for that… hit them up & support a small plant based biz! Otherwise, call ahead to see if they have the items in house to make your food & enjoy if they do!! ((They asked that we post about their shift to catering so even though we didn’t eat here, we wanted to leave this review so others can see!))
Read morePros: Catering, Fresh food, Small biz
Cons: Call ahead only
Guest
ramirob
Points +133
Loved this place! - Edit
I stopped by here with a friend when we were going through Albany, we were in a bit of a hurry and called, the owner was on her way to the restaurant and she kindly made us two sandwiches and two juices and coffee, it was great!
Read moreGuest
omeeom
Points +15
Loved it! - Edit
I didn’t expect it, but the inside was so adorable and cozy. The owner talked to us as if we’d known her for years. I got the quinoa bowl and it filled me up and tasted fantastic. Totally recommend!
Read moreGuest
Michellemartha
Points +336
Super tasty - Edit
The food was delicious and it smelled amazing inside. The owner is so kind and outgoing...it felt like talking with an old friend
Read moreGuest
tfish
Points +3064
Cute, tiny vegetarian place - Edit
Nice little place. Variety of well-made vegan (and vegetarian) breakfasts and lunches. Also some good smoothies and juices. The place is very small and cozy: only has about 4 tables inside and the ceilings are sub-7-foot.
Read moreThe whole place is run by one woman, which I mention because it means the hours aren’t always consistent or as posted, so it pays to call in advance if you’re planning to go within a couple hours of when it opens or closes.
Pros: Fully vegetarian menu (and mostly vegan)
Cons: Very small
Guest
Larry74
Points +209
Great Healthy vegan options! - Edit
Little shop on Lark with a great selection of healthier foods and beverages. Mostly vegan options and a very nice owner. Will be whenever I can! Give it a shot!
Read moreGuest
MelissaN
Points +27
Inconsistant hours - Edit
My husband and I were looking for a healthier option so we went out of our way to stop here on our drive back from vacation. It was closed at 4:30 on a Thursday. Both its website and the restaurant door clearly listed hours of 11 to 7. Disappointed.
Read moreGuest
notEvenVegan
Points +80
A blessing. - Edit
Went for larks st. Restaurant week really amazing tempeh Reuben! The peach apple cobbler was also really amazing
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options, Homemade tempeh!
Guest
Jgatt
Points +2292
Real food with real flavor - Edit
Definitely recommend the broccoli cashew cream soup, the soba noodles were delicious and filling. The chickpea burger is good if you like spicy. If your in Albany and want food that is cooked with passion come here!
Read morePros: Large portions!, Very friendly service! , Healthy food!
Guest
Nunzi
Points +164
Hot, but not in the good way - Edit
Not entirely vegan, but fully vegetarian, and a sizable menu of drinks, food, coffee and juices.
Read moreHowever, the food was just... ok... It is more health conscious, as the owner and cook is a nutritionist. But the Korean taco really didn't cut it for my s.o. as the kimchi was basically just pickled cabbage (non-traditional).
The place was also hot, no a/c, door wide open with no screen door, so we were also bothered by insects while eating. Her hours also aren't exactly static as the door said 7pm closing, but she closed at 6. And the time to which it took for our meal to come up was a bit long... but it's also one person running the show.
Most importantly she was a bit rude to me, and sneering. When you're a small veggie restaurant, why would you be this way? It's a small community.
Pros: veggie and vegan options, reasonable prices, healthy
Cons: hot interior , rude/poor customer service , long wait time to be served
Guest
ckiley
Points +24
Cozy, friendly, yum! - Edit
Passing through Albany and stopped here for dinner. We had the Soba Noodle stir fry special and the Cauliflower sandwich special. Also had the immunity booster and peanut butter chocolate chip cookie (one con: these were a tad dry). Feels like your mom is cooking for you! Don't expect huge restaurant portions, just well-made,yummy food. Delicious and welcoming place.
Read moreGuest
nlevine94
Points +1006
Great Food for Great Health - Edit
Fantastic Vegan breakfast, and an amazing community surrounding this small shop in Albany.
Read moreNeeded some substantial breakfast food on the road, so I stopped in for the vegan breakfast wrap that i saw online. Had a great conversation with the owner and Sharon, another entrepreneur in the area. After only a few seconds I could tell this place was a special home for many people around the area looking to better their bodies naturally.
The vegan wrap was delicious, a little on the sweet side with all the sweet potato in it. But the vegan sausage and vegan swiss cheese paired nicely with the veggies for a very filling breakfast!
Can't wait to return again in the near future! Their smoothies and juices looked delicious and each with their own special health benefits.
Vegans and non-vegans alike, this is the place to be!
Pros: Unique place!, Great menu with health benefits
Cons: Doesn't seem to be well known...yet :)
Guest
sambee
Points +135
NOTE: didn't actually eat here - Edit
I was passing through Albany on my long drive from Long Island to upstate New York. Albany was about half way through and seemed like the best bet to attempt to find vegan food.
Read moreHealthy on Lark was the first place I found and their menu looked great. On HappyCow, the hours were listed until 7pm. We got there at 6pm and they were closed. After standing in front of the door for a few minutes trying to figure out where else to go, the owner opened the door to come talk to us.
She explained that she just recently changed her hours and had closed at 4pm. She was extremely nice and friendly. She said that if she didn't have a meeting to get to she would've let us come in and order, and I honestly think that she meant it.
I was disappointed that we didn't get to eat here simply due to the fact that the owner was so friendly. If I ever drive through Albany again, I will definitely give this place a shot (and make sure I call to check the hours first).
I see that the hours on HappyCow still have not been changed, so definitely call before you go, especially if you are driving from 200 miles away!
Pros: Friendly Staff
Meaks
Thanks for your review. We have updated the opening hours as a result of your feedback and added links to the website and Facebook. Note that you can use the update link to report such changes. :)
Read moreDavid, TeamCow.
Guest
PeachyKeen
Points +131
Quaint and Yummy! - Edit
The first thing I noticed on entering Healthy On Lark was the great atmosphere! A very homey, yet vibrant setting that immediately makes you feel nice and relaxed. The owner was very pleasant and friendly, and put on some music for us to enjoy with our meal. The food was tasty, especially the house made salsa!! Very fresh and delicious! I should've asked to see if I could take a jar home with me! The Funky Monkey smoothie was very good also. I'm already thinking about what I'll be ordering there the next time I go to Albany!
Read morePros: Great Atmosphere, Friendly and Attentive Staff
Guest
salitrov
Points +40
Yum! - Edit
After trying to go to Terra nearby and realizing they were closed (even though all their hours pointed to them being open) I decided to go to the closest fully vegetarian restaurant after reading some reviews. I realized I had made a good decision as soon as I opened the door and was greeted by Sharon. She was gauging my preferences and what I was hungry for right off the bat and it was unusual and charming compared to the usual place. It felt very personal and the food was delicious, unique, and homey and the restaurant itself was cute and unconventional in its seating and decor. After some contemplation of all the attractive options (burritos, chickpea burger, BLT, etc.) I had the beans and rice bowl with some mixed veggies and her homemade salsa with a juice containing cabbage, apples, ginger, and carrots. We wound up having a long conversation afterwards about our mutual dislike and fear of Donald Grump and agreed to talk again after the election and reevaluate our state of affairs. She also had many cute trinkets for sale, including tiny homemade baby farmed animals in baskets - I bought two! Would definitely recommend for anybody in Albany.
Read morePros: Delicious, Personal, Homey
Guest
Randal Putnam
Points +36
Healthy on Lark is Great! - Edit
While I suppose you could point to something on the menu and it would show up, my experience was quite different. My lunch mate and I selected items from the menu and then Sharon Lastique, the owner, asked questions so that she could customize our plates to our liking. Questions beyond which bread and side. Questions like do you want your bread dressed with coconut oil or vegan mayo. Do you like Bragg's? Would you enjoy mushrooms? And so on.
Read moreThe result was very much worth the process. I ended up with a sandwich no part of which is on the menu--sliced tofu sautéd with onions and garlic on hearty whole grain bread with vegan mayo and a side salad of baby greens dressed with balsamic. Delicious, attractive and very much to my liking. My lunch mate ordered a breakfast burrito and was also very happy.
Despite the small kitchen, two people working and substitutions galore, the food came out quickly. A nice pot of hibiscus tea kept us company in the small but clean and comfy dining room while we waited. The bill seemed low--the food is worth more--but if they can make it work at these prices, more customers to them.
Thanks to Healthy on Lark. I'll be back.
Guest
Alliemac224
Points +16
Great host and great food - Edit
I had used to go to Lil' Buddha and was unsure what the flavors would be like at Healthy on Lark. My best friend and I were definitely satisfied- the food was delicious and Sharon (the owner) was very engaging- always attentive and genuinely wanted to have conversation with her customers.
Read moreThe flavors were amazing and she always asked about what we preferred in our dishes (she customized our dishes to what vegetables she had gotten locally and what we had preferences for). It was great- you don't often see such fluidity in recipes at restaurants.
I can say without a doubt if you loved Lil' Buddha, you'll love Healthy on Lark even more! We will definitely be visiting again!
Guest
kevin-green21
Points +29
Delicious - Edit
They seem to have the magic touch when it comes to the food here. The flavors just come together! Even though the healthiness apparent at every level it's the deliciousness that hits you first. ANd then the whole local food farm to table veggie vegan friendly thing.
Read morePros: deliciousness, healthiness, good music!
Cons: small place, not too much seating inside
Guest
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