Vegan
American
International
Organic
Fast food
Juice bar
Take-out
Cafe inside the Jivamukti Yoga School since 2006 and is open to the public. Counter service with seating for 50+. Menu offers a mix of dishes from tacos and wraps to fusion bowls and salads. Reported closed Dec 2019.
28 Reviews
First Review by button
susuwatari
Points +98
An occasional escape - Edit
The food here is always healthy and yummy, and fairly filling. I like to come here to support the vegan community and enjoy the calm atmosphere, though the price keeps me from being a regular.
Read moreGuest
foodfirst
Points +776
Great on first visit - Edit
A great menu with many healthy items and whole-food ingredients. I had a tasty smoothie during my first trip there. It was a bit warm inside. The second floor location was not that difficult to find. It is just (southward) off Union Square on Broadway, and large numerals indicate the address. I found the prices reasonable for the big city location. The yoga studio and store provided an interesting and comforting setting. One could reach the place from the building lobby by elevator or stairs. Smoothies, salads, bowls, wraps, and more.
Read morePros: healthy, whole-foods orientation, wide range of vegan items on menu, setting
Guest
fxp
Points +817
Hidden oasis - Edit
Great options and cozy atmosphere. Easy to miss.
Read moreGuest
Poundie
Points +15631
Relaxed place in yoga studio - Edit
This place is somewhat like a cafeteria for a yoga studio. You order at the counter, then bring your food to a wooden table and bus your table when done. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food is very good and healthy. One thing to watch out for...the food is not inexpensive. It is not overpriced, but do not let the cafeteria feel lead you to forget that the bill can be as high as in a typical restaurant.
Read moreUpdate (2019): the menu has decidedly shrunk since the last time I have been here. The food is still good, though the offerings are not as extensive as they used to be.
Updated from previous review on 2012-06-24
Pros: Tastes good, Relaxed, Healthy
Cons: Self service, Not inexpensive
Guest
Noodlegirl
Points +322
Chill Spot - Edit
Doesn’t feel like NYC, relaxing.
Read morePros: Tasty vegan food, Quiet , Self serve
Guest
TravegLife
Points +113
Secret place - Edit
This is a yoga center in union square, with this cute hidden restaurant. The food is home-made style and good. And they have very good cupcakes and cookies if you like the sweets.
Read morePros: Good prices , Delicious sweets, Very relaxing
Guest
PabloofGramercy
Points +269
Good place for a serene and simple meal or snack - Edit
Quiet, spacious and a relatively varied menu. Definitely worth a visit.
Read morePros: All vegan: juices, dishes and baked goods, Nice, simple, bohemian digs, A relaxed atmosphere, especially in chaotic USQ
Cons: A little pricey for what it is, Semi-friendly staff
Guest
Suebedo
Points +341
Love their peanut sauce - Edit
The place is really relaxing and mellow there's plenty of bad elbow room and the food is delicious. You can take the elevator or just walk up the stairs. Say hi to receptionist for the opus phone make a left through the store too bright windows over looking broadway. The food is delicious and healthy and I think people overlook the spot because it's in the back of the YOGA school on the 2nd floor but it's very good.
Read moreGuest
rosalindnyc
Points +529
Hidden gem - Edit
I love coming to Jivamuktea, and it’s a great place to spend a long afternoon reading (pick up a book at the Strand across the street) or working. You can get lunch and, as per their name, they have a great selection of teas. It is a tad overpriced, which is why I’m not giving 5 stars, but a sweet spot nonetheless.
Read moreGuest
haleymittel
Points +31
I wanted to like it - Edit
I was served a plain burrito with little flavor for $14
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Chill environment
Cons: Bland, flavorless, like they forgot something , Expensive , Slow service
Guest
ThatsVegayzing
Points +771
Overpriced and poorly prepared vegan food. - Edit
Jivamuktea is a vegan Café located within the Juvamukti Yoga Center located in Union Square and offers international cuisine options that do not impress.
Read moreFood **
We ordered the BLT and Quesadillas (latter based on hosts suggestion). The BLT is compromised of tempeh bacon, soy-free daiya cheese, & tomato, in a folded tortilla. The BLT could have been really good had they cut the avocado on it and spread it out to make sure that each bite included all the ingredients in the recipe, especially the avocado. The tempeh bacon was minimal and while its texture was good it lacked flavor. As for the Quesadillas, the cheese was lacking, MAJORLY. It basically evaporated in the cooking process and left us with remnants embedded into the tortilla. The selection of toppings saved it with the choice of vegan mayo, guacamole, and jalapeños.
Atmosphere **
Has a very California, laidback feeling to it. However, the seats are very close together in a rather large space and the tables were not very clean.
Service **
Hostess was fine but lacked personality and did not seem to be interested in engaging with the customers.
Price $$
Way overpriced! Total of $32.67 for two menu items! Never again.
Pros: Many vegan options
Cons: Very expensive , Poorly prepared food , Horrible customer service
Guest
evanding
Points +22
healthy and clean relax place - Edit
great place to stay around Union Square!
Read moreGuest
770veg
Points +3631
a gem - Edit
Simple, delicious, wholesome food, a wonderful environment, a yoga school attached to it and a wonderful shop with extensive selection of vegan minded reading material and inspiration for self and world betterment. All topped off by kind, attentive staff. A great experience.
Read morePros: delicious, Light and simple, good vibes
Guest
KatieBush
Points +3176
Expensive - Edit
I got the Jiva Bowl, which was pretty tasty. I can't eat soy, so I had to put the tofu off to the side but it looked like it wasn't really cooked any special way. The veggies were good, maybe a bit raw compared to the way the bowl was described, and the sauce was okay (a bit thick for a rice bowl). It was nice to try the food here, but at $16 for this meal, I don't think I could afford to do it again. Overpriced for the amount of food you get and it doesn't have much flavor.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2017-09-20
Guest
wanderlustarcher
Points +98
In love with the Kitchari - Edit
The kitchari porridge is the best thing on the menu.
Read moreI recommend it to any & everyone !
Guest
OliTheVegan
Points +26
Use to be good! - Edit
This place is terrible now, it use to have such amazing food but now offers a small menu and the food sucks. It's over priced and they barely give you any food.. and it's not even good. JivamukTea cafe use to be my favorite cafe but now I wouldn't recommend it to anyone :( so sad !!
Read moreGuest
NatalieAsport
Points +54
Spiritual Eating - Edit
It's like a spiritual atmosphere the couple times I have eaten here. The quietness with the almost silent ambience of the city, people working on their own projects at the table, with yoga vibes from the surrounding yoga school and plant decor - this is one relaxing dining experience. Considering it's right on Broadway, you get the entertaining window view of the main street minus the loud noise thanks to thick sound-proof windows.
Read moreThe bowl is fantastic to warm you up on a chilly day. The tuna wrap (not real tuna) is outstanding especially with a little Siracha sauce to add a kick.
Pros: quietness, plant-based foods, yoga vibes
Guest
holistic.chica
Points +66
Yoga and Food in Union Square - Edit
This is a great place to find refuge from the noise and people, nested on a 2nd Floor with large windows looking out onto union square area. I usually get a Yogie bowl of quinoa, black beans and steamed kale with one of their tasty sauces. I like coming here when I want to sit, eat, read a book, write and not feel like i'm going to be rushed out of the place.
Read moreGuest
YuvalMonster
Points +536
Loved it - Edit
Best vegan food I could find in the area. The staff was really nice and even though some meals were taken off the menu that day, I found some really great dishes.
Read morePros: Excellent food, Spacious place, Healthy food
Cons: Small portions, Some things were taken off the menu, .
Guest
JustineHsu
Points +114
fantastic cafe! - Edit
The food here is delicious. The ingredients are very fresh and the flavor is simple yet beautiful. The atmosphere is very relaxed and informal. It's a great spot to hang out by yourself or with some friends. Highly recommended.
Read moreGuest
steveveg
Points +2276
Pleasant cafe - Edit
Jivamuk Tea Cafe is located on the second floor in a yoga complex. The place is pleasantly informal, with some people working on their laptops or holding a meeting. The food is fine, with an adequate selection of soups, salads, sandwiches and desserts. We had the portobello panini pesto which was quite good. we also sampled the desserts - a cupcake and a brownie - also very nice.
Read moreGuest
KarinaU1
Points +56
Healthy and Delicious Food - Edit
Cozy space to have a relaxing lunch or dinner especially after a yoga session. The food is very good and tastes great.
Read moreI love that they also have books and other yoga and workout accessories
along with sustainable, reusable eating utensils and beauty products.
Pros: Delicious Food, Relatively Quick Service, Healthy
Guest
JenniferF
Points +60
Let's keep little gems like this alive! - Edit
the cafe was closed for a while, and I'm so glad it's back. It's healthy food, served and prepared with love. Simple and a great place to go if you want something low key or don't want to or can't spend the extra for wait service. the desserts are just OK to my mind - though pretty huge, but I love their smoothies, the dressings on the salads are delish. and it's a great healthy yoga atmosphere to eat in.
Read morePros: tasty and healthy food, calm atmosphere
Cons: can get overwhelmed by crowds
Guest
Vadim
Points +85
great joint - Edit
Aside from a $3.89 chocolate chip cookie (which was great but not worth 3.89), this was a great spot - comfortable cafe type - order-at-the-counter atmosphere, all vegan and mostly raw with a wide and creative variety of options for all sorts of tastes. Food was really tasty. No complaints - except for that $3.89 chocolate chip cookie.
Read moreGuest
piffelina
Points +3516
is this place still around? - Edit
we went looking for it in late august, but when we entered what should be the door, there was a very narrow long hall and a guy almost "guarding it" from intruders (as us). it felt like a hotel or something, so we just turned and walked away.
Read moreGuest
Jleon11
Points +41
Perfect casual dining - Edit
This is my favorite place to get lunch. All of the food is excellent, and the portions are rather generous. What really sets this place apart though is the atmosphere and the fact that it is nicely hidden from the crowds of people jamming Broadway. It really feels like a hidden little jewel when you find it.
Read moreAs for the prices: they may be slightly steep, but how else could they stay in business providing fresh organic ingredients, satisfying portions, and thoughtfully prepared meals? The service is also excellent, and the place is very clean & tidy. Very impressive.
Pros: Everything
Cons: Nothing
Guest
philjdomm
Points +945
Vegan Convenience - Edit
had the vegan mclovin...it was great...super expensive but very funny staff. too bad they dont do carob versus chocolate. but yummy!
Read moreGuest
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