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Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Organic
Juice bar
Take-out
Catering
Fusion
Honey
Casual cafe offering healthy vegetarian food, smoothies and fresh juices for eat-in or takeaway. Order at the counter from a menu of warm bowls, salad bowls, and grilled wraps plus the day's soup and some small snacks. Egg or dairy may be removed or replaced - ask. Sells a small selection of health products to take home. One of several outlets. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-9:00pm.
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281 Essex St, Salem, Massachusetts, USA, 01970
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Last update on 24 Nov 2018 by Guest
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71 Reviews
First Review by abbydoo
rebaaron
Points +212
A find! - Edit
Really creative options and very tasty. Prices are reasonable too. After trying to find anyplace veg or vegan friendly on Cape Ann this was a welcome find (and worth the drive)!
Read moreGuest
SaraNorlin
Points +4006
Healthiest options in Salem - Edit
Life Alive is awesome as always but with fewer healthy vegan options in the area, it really shines in comparison
Read moreGuest
LydiaBerger
Points +383
Very healthy and unique - Edit
They have delicious bowls and salads as well as açaí bowls. Their drink menu also contains unique options such as spicy hot chocolate and watermelon juice. One of the pasta dishes I got left me very hungry but the burrito bowl is almost enough for 3 people which makes picking what to order confusing. As the options are very fresh, the food is on the pricier side.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Organic ingredients , Unique options
Cons: Expensive , Portion sizes vary vastly per option
Guest
wildkat
Points +215
Hope to be back soon - Edit
Fantastic menu and food! Great interior!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-03-17
Guest
RichBeBe
Points +810
Okay and Would Go Again But Wouldn't Be First Choice - Edit
Had a peanut bowl and was decent with food flavored. Though the veggies were a bit undercooked.
Read moreEnjoyed cauliflower cashew soup and would get that again.
Pros: Big portion
Guest
GFGoldenLady
Points +2265
Underwhelming bowl - Edit
Maybe I just had a one off bowl, but mine was not good at all. I had the curry Buddha bowl and the roasted cauliflower soup.
Read moreThe soup was tasty and I enjoyed it. The bowl was not good at all. The veggies were all undercooked and starchy. There were random stems in the bowl which were very strange too.
I would give it a second try based on all the other rave reviews but I was not impressed.
Guest
zachweeks
Points +325
Wildcard, extremely inconsistent - Edit
Update nov 2021: my review below from 2020 is still accurate. Have given this place several more tries this year and it seems to be even worse regarding hit-or-miss QC. Got some things that were okay and some things that were totally inedible. There are so many better vegan options in Salem who actually care about their customers and their staff.
Read moreOriginal review, June 2020: Used to be a weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) regular here for many years between 2015 and 2018 but since the Panera takeover has gone into full swing, there is basically no consistency in terms of the food and quality has definitely gone downhill. Past several times I've been in, orders have been wrong or preparation has been wack and has ranged from being "just okay" to being borderline not edible because of bad preparation. Vegetables can be undercooked, proportions are all over the place (e.g.: too many onions, way too much sauce, too little sauce), portion sizes have gotten smaller while prices have gone up. Seems like staff turnaround is really fast — used to have regulars I knew and now it seems to be new people every time I go in. Recently talked to some old employees about how working there ended up being a disaster after the corporate takeover and all of them left as a result.
The juices and smoothies are still solid. It seems as the chain is rapidly expanding into Boston, the quality control at this location has suffered. Apparently the one in Cambridge is still good.
Updated from previous review on 2021-11-29
Pros: healthy, great juices and smoothies
Cons: super inconsistent nowadays , Expensive , Small portions
jalisamarie15
Fully agree! I live one building away from here and used to go all the time! Now I steer clear away because of the inconsistency and the uncooked veggies. It really is a sad, sad thing!
Read moreGuest
stephbaggz
Points +385
Healthy vegan options - Edit
The Acai bowl was soo delicious and their chili was yum!! We went here twice it was so good
Read moreGuest
vegmia
Points +134
dream come true - Edit
this place is literally the restaurant of my dreams. the atmosphere is amazing, the food is amazing-er. i would eat this every day if i could. so flavorful and colorful, creates a warming sensation from the inside out. i will tell everyone about this place. many blessings to this place.
Read morePros: amazing flavorful food, whole, unprocessed food, super reasonable pricing
Guest
Prajna
Points +6250
Good healthy options - Edit
This is a great place for a delicious salad or wrap. Although their menu is large, all options are just slight alterations of each other. But it is still worth it and delicious.
Read moreThe goddess is a classic and my favorite. Their garlicky dressing is delicious.
They do have some new seasonal options, like a ceasar salad.
They also have a large variety of smoothies and the ocasiona dessert.
Updated from previous review on 2021-08-19
Guest
JenniferShanks
Points +172
So good! - Edit
We very much enjoyed our meals here. Great service, menu, and food! Can’t wait to return!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options
Guest
LePetiteVegan
Points +845
Loads of Vegan Options - Edit
Stopped through here on a road trip and was pleasantly surprised by the variety of foods offered. We ordered a grain bowl, a wrap, and a juice. The only issue I had with the menu was that it seemed a bit repetitive. I felt like I was reading the same four options over and over again. I kinda closed my eyes put my finger on the menu and ordered whatever it landed on which was still really tasty. The serving of food was large so I had some left over for later which is always nice. Will definitely visit ever I'm in Salem again!
Read morePros: Many vegan options, Fresh food, Delicious juices
Cons: Wee bit pricey
Guest
wokeveganqueen
Points +418
Convenient location, knowledgeable staff, & great vegan food! - Edit
I stumbled upon Life Alive by accident on a trip to Salem, and it was completely serendipitous! I ordered the fool bowl and practically licked the plate clean. The staff was very knowledgeable and accommodating when I asked questions about which choices were vegan. I also had a matcha latte (without honey) and a coco loco latte and both were fantastic! I love that the restaurant is so close to the attractions and that it was reasonably priced.
Read morePros: Close to attractions, Great prices, Delicious
Guest
ASzmodis
Points +230
Great Options - Edit
Loved the large but cozy atmosphere and bowl options. Good portions and cute dishware, however it was a bit pricey, especially for tea drinks.
Read morePros: nice vibe
Cons: pricey
Guest
bleuphoenix88
Points +49
Lovely - Edit
Great food, had the Fool bowl which I liked. Partner had Elvis alive which he loved.
Read morePros: Lots of options., Reasonable price, Filling
Cons: Venue was cold.
Guest
Momonieee
Points +109
Heaven on earth! - Edit
This place is a gem! The atmosphere is very zen and chill. Even though it was busy, you could see the employees were working really hard to get everything out and to the customers. I went here for a late lunch/early dinner and I honestly wish I got more food than I did. The portions were the perfect size. Not too much but not too little. We were traveling this day and I wish I got something else to go but nonetheless what I ordered was delicious. I ordered a green juice and the green goddess bowl. They give you the option of a half, full bowl or wrap. I went with a full bowl with sprouted legumes and tofu and I added their whipped butternut squash. YUM! If I lived in the area I would come here everyday! The food is made with lots of love. The flavor of the sauce on the bowl was fantastic! They offer coffee too now which is awesome. 10/10 would recommend!
Read moreGuest
TaylorTutwiler
Points +298
Loved the food and vibe - Edit
Honestly I feel like I could go back for weeks before trying everything on the menu. There is such a variety of options. I loved everything we had. It was relatively fast getting out and the atmosphere of the place was a cool computer cafe/ hangout spot. Would definitely recommend!
Read moreGuest
MikeFeinstein
Points +2158
Tasty and nutrious in the heart of Salem - Edit
Visited Live Alive Organic Cafe last night while in Salem for the annual national meeting of the Green Party of the United States. After having been out of the country for six weeks, I was really in the mood for a gorge on vegan taste and nutrition. Live Alive hit the spot on every level. I had The Adventurer. Their menu describes it thus:
Read more"Our Sesame Ginger Nama Sauce meets a colorful mix of corn, beets, broccoli, kale, shredded cheddar,tofu or sprouted legumes & tamari almonds over quinoa & brown rice." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/588ca4ca29687f771600b238/t/5b0ecf27352f53569144d77e/1527697195573/salem_hand_menu_may_2018.pdf
As you can see from the pic, the plate was also large and filling - they don't skimp and the very $9.50 price is more than fair.
Life Alive is also located on the lively pedestrian-oriented Essex St. in the Salem downtown, just a few steps away from Massachusetts Bay.
Updated from previous review on 2019-07-25
Guest
KurtBallou
Points +119
It’s a wild card these days - Edit
Life Alive used to be my favorite spot in town, but has become quite inconsistent lately. Juices and smoothies still seem up to par, but the bowls not so much. There’s been a change of ownership and a lot of employee turn over. I hope they can get it together!
Read moreGuest
slopez
Points +59
Great vegan menu in Salem - Edit
Great vegan options, nice place and friendly service. Try the warm bowls.
Read moreGuest
LynneTibbettsBedenh
Points +18
Excellent flavor at reasonable prices - Edit
Quick, flavorful healthy food! So yummy!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options! 😁 I'd definitely go again
Cons: No cons... except need more desert options
Guest
JoshHyatt
Points +540
Healthy and delicious - Edit
The food and vibe are wonderful!!!
Read moreGuest
mshilale
Points +78
Cozy, comfy, healthy! - Edit
A hippie's paradise. COZY, delicious, awesome, insanely wide variety of foods and drinks - we’ve never been disappointed! The food even looks beautiful! You can really tell how much love and effort goes into these meals. We also love that they are extremely earth conscious/community conscious. Nothing better than a warm, comforting grain bowl on a rainy day.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-08-08
Guest
allhess
Points +5839
Tasty Lunch - Edit
Quick and heathy mea before our day in Salem. Enjoyable!
Read morePros: Nice, friendly staff, Good number of vegan options, Cute space
Guest
vegstravaganza
Points +98
Some Love for Life Alive - Edit
I am always 100% satisfied with my food at Life Alive. When I'm back in MA visiting family and friends this is a great place to meet for lunch or dinner. Filling and beautiful food, yummy smoothies/shakes/juices, and all vegan or vegetarian options. You definitely get you money's worth here and the food is so good it pleases the taste buds of vegs and non-vegs alike!
Read morePros: All vegan or vegetarian , Ingredients all listed
Cons: Read thorougly, cheese listed mid-ingredient list
Guest
Eunoia_1323
Points +602
A healthier option - Edit
Life alive has a decent vegan selection but are mostly all buddha bowls. Some of the menu is customizable but not all of it is vegan from what I remember. The food tastes very fresh but it is over-priced for the ingredients and portion size (most are grain/rice based). We’ve only been here a couple times, usually when we are in the mood for something a bit lighter. I think I got the green goddess bowl..didn’t find it to be anything to write home about, but certainly not bad. Neither one of us found the options particularly exciting, but it’s an interesting restaurant! Seems like something that can easily be recreated at home. Definitely a great option if you’re looking for a whole-food plant based option when eating out, however.
Read moreGuest
msm
Points +38
Fantastic - Edit
Perfect in every way. Great place for healthy meal. Good ambience, nice people.
Read moreGuest
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