Serves meat, vegan options available. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its website lists a separate vegan menu, and staff is willing to customize the menu to your preferences as possible. Example of food you might expect: breakfast tofu scramble with plant-based sausage. Suggested to call ahead to check times of the kitchen for vegan food. Note Match 2023: reported to have scaled back vegan options, please update HappyCow of changes. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-8:00pm.
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498 S Livingston Ave, Livingston, New Jersey, USA, 07039
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 18 Apr 2023 by Guest
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Added by bluejuniper72 on 24 May 2021
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15 Reviews
First Review by bluejuniper72
sculby2000
Points +79
So happy with this place! - Edit
Tried a breakfast and a lunch. They have so many options. Looking forward to trying more.
Read moreGuest
VeganCatMomma
Points +687
Great Service and Options - Edit
Tip top service and the burger was fabulous! Would absolutely recommend!
Read moreGuest
hellohappyvegan
Points +933
Falls Short in Taste and Value - Edit
My recent return to Sweet Basil's Cafe, hoping for a better dining experience, left me just as disappointed as before. Regrettably, I won't be giving this establishment another chance.
Read moreMy review specifically focuses on their vegan options.
During my initial visit, I opted for the vegan Sweet Basil's Grilled Cheese. Immediately, it became apparent that the sandwich was not served on vegan challah bread, contrary to what was advertised. My friends, who happen to be Jewish, confirmed this discrepancy. When I raised the issue with our server, she went to the kitchen and returned claiming that it was indeed challah bread. While I didn't feel the need to argue further, it was evident that the bread did not meet the criteria for vegan challah. This misrepresentation left me disheartened.
Additionally, the presence of wilted lettuce on my plate was unappetizing. Although the sandwich itself was passable, the saving grace was the delightful fig aioli. However, considering the overall underwhelming experience, the steep price of $15.95 felt unjustified.
During my second visit, I tried their Sizzling Breakfast Frittata. While the home fries and toast were satisfactory, the frittata itself was inedible due to excessive saltiness. The $16.50 price tag felt unjustified for a dish that lacked any real flavor. The service was also subpar, with inattentive and unfriendly staff.
Sweet Basil's Cafe should reconsider their vegan options, aiming for both quality and affordability.
Updated from previous review on 2023-07-11
Pros: Vegan options, Crispy potatoes
Cons: Expensive, Vegan dishes, Service
Guest
Sarah99
Points +48
so amazing I ate it two nights in a row - Edit
Sweet Basil's Cafe has an ENTIRE vegan menu. Not a couple options listed in the bottom corner. No, a full-page menu. Options included various mock meat options and dishes that are naturally vegan, so there's something for everyone. The first day I went, I had the pulled "pork" empanada and the shepherd's pie, and got the cherry pie empanada to-go.
Read moreThe next evening, my friends and I were looking for a chill night in, so ordered delivery. The fried "chicken" was culinary magic. The way the oyster mushrooms pulled apart was impressively similar to the texture of fried chicken, and they tasted spot-on as well. The mac and cheese and apple pie empanada were also delicious.
My omnivore friends also loved all the omni meals they ordered, and they were just as excited to have Sweet Basil's the second night as I was. The expansive menu ensured we all had something entirely different the second time.
Also, the day that we dined in, the waitress was knowledgeable and helpful about food allergies.
Pros: great variety of vegan options
Guest
BritRose
Points +106
Sweet indeed - Edit
I’ve been here a couple of times now. They have two separate kitchens so it’s a prefect place to eat if you’re with a non-vegan/vegetarian. Everything I’ve tried so far has been really good and I love coming here trying new things on the menu since they have a lot of choices. I would definitely recommend this place.
Read moreGuest
Abkir
Points +16
CALL BEFORE GOING HERE!! - Edit
We came here a few weeks ago for the handful of vegan options they have on their menu and were pleasantly surprised to find out that they’d expanded to include a separate vegan kitchen with tons of options. We came back today to try out these new options only to be told “The vegan kitchen is closed and we can’t make anything from that new menu”. We tried to order off their original menu that lists the handful of vegan options they’ve always had, but were told no. We assured our waitress that we weren’t worried about the possibility of cross contamination (this was her reason for not being able to make anything), and that we just wanted tofu instead of eggs. So instead, we ordered off of their wall menu that has even more “accidentally vegan” options. We were told no to those too because they’re also vegan (it was just a harvest bowl over rice, nothing specific to a vegan diet). I decided I’d just order fries and was asked, “from THAT kitchen?” hahah. At the end, we were able to get a veggie burger patty and a salad bowl. Both were tasty. Sweet Basil is on the right track, but definitely missed the mark big time today. Anyway, vegans beware, and make sure you call before you decide to come for food lol
Read morePros: Tasty food
Cons: Random vegan kitchen closures
Guest
VeganbyChoice
Points +1763
Surprise Vegan Surprise - Edit
1st time here. Doesn’t look like much from the outside. Small parking lot shared with multiple retail locations. Place was packed. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Takeout station set up for pick up orders. Place was non-stop from the moment I arrived until I picked up my food and left. I was surprised by the extensive Vegan menu they offer which includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and specials options. I was surprised again to find out that all Vegan dishes are prepared in a completely separate Vegan kitchen! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. I ordered the BBQ “Fried Chicken” sandwich (fried oyster mushroom) with seasoned fries. Great serving size. It’s definitely a two handed sandwich - no eating and driving with this size sandwich. It looked great, it smelled great, it tasted great. Very much looking forward to coming back and trying other items off the menu (or even repeating this one).
Read moreUpdate November 2022:
Came back here and ordered their Vegan Eggplant Sandwich. Very good portion size. Reasonable priced. The eggplant was breaded and crispy - one of the best eggplant sandwiches I’ve had the pleasure of eating. I ordered a side of fries - they were unfortunately undercooked. Reheated them in my air fryer at home and they worked out great.
Updated from previous review on 2022-09-28
Pros: Extensive Vegan Menu, Separate Vegan Kitchen, Good portion size
Guest
QuincyKirsch
Points +22
I’ve been there twice once for brunch & once for dinner . The food is excellent. - Edit
A separate vegan menu with loads of options . I went to dinner with a friend who’s in the process of transitioning & she was really wowed by the Mac & Cheeze ( as was I ) . Everything I’ve had there so far has been very good .
Read morePros: Very vegan friendly , Family & large group friendly , Friendly staff
Cons: The outdoor cafe has a lot of traffic noise .
Guest
soccer11
Points +16
Chef Chino is a genius vegan chef. The vegan menu is incredible - Edit
So many options on the menu.
Read moreGuest
deemo21
Points +30
Would give 5 stars if I could! - Edit
They have an entirely separate vegan menu/kitchen and thusly could be considered a vegan restaurant. It was a delight eating there today and I can’t wait to see them expand to their dinner menu.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options. 2 pages of vegan offerings, Outdoor seating
Guest
LaurenCalabrese
Points +25
AMAZING SEPARATE VEGAN KITCHEN!!! - Edit
The vegan menu here is OUTSTANDING. They have a new completely vegan kitchen operating out of their restaurant and a full vegan menu. The owner and the chefs are clearly extremely proud of what they are creating, and I am grateful that they are serving such amazing vegan options! I have tried the vegan lentil soup, vegan chicken quesadilla, vegan buffalo chicken sandwich, and the vegan blueberry pancakes (which I added chocolate chips to) and each thing was better than the next! I highly recommend people try the vegan options here and spread the word about the vegan menu ! Can't wait to come back and try the vegan PB&J french toast! The owner also said that if they get enough support with the vegan lunch menu they will be adding a vegan dinner menu as well - so please support them!!!😄
Read morePros: amazing vegan options, BYOB, separate vegan kitchen
Guest
Suzysuzysuzy
Points +20
This place has a FULL VEGAN breakfast menu. - Edit
They have a designated vegan kitchen. Yes, they serve non-vegan foods, but this is the best I’ve seen for a restaurant that does both.
Read moreGuest
VeganHubbySteve
Points +643
Delicious vegan entrees - ample portions - Edit
It rare to find a restaurant with its own vegan section AND have a tough time deciding between 2 dishes. The Vegan Veggie Tacos were very enjoyable with freshly roasted vegetables topped with vegan aioli. After eating the tacos with bread from the basked I was full. No wimpy portions here!
Read morePros: Flavorful creative food, Ample portions, Attentive service
Guest
lovegan3
Points +310
nice options - Edit
they have a good amount of vegan options. not the best food I’ve ever had but still quite good.
Read moreGuest
bluejuniper72
Points +33
Lovely! - Edit
I was looking for a vegan restaurant in the area but there was nothing anywhere! None of the restaurants even mentioned having vegan food. Our usual go-tos in instances like this, Sushi places for vegetable sushi, had no seating. I am so happy I stumbled upon Sweet Basil's which at one time came up on my search engine but the second time was nowhere to be found. Luckily, my friend reminded me I had suggested it. This restaurant is great because they list a separate dedicated vegan/veg menu on their website. They do not print the menus but they said they will customize anything on the menu that they can. My husband had the lentil soup which was vegan and the artichoke risotto minus the cream to make it vegan. He liked both dishes very much. I had the vegan tacos. They were awesome! The veggies were so fresh and the ailio is made with vegan mayo. The avocado was perfect and generous. The staff was polite, knowledgeable and conscientious of COVID precautions. The cost of the food was very fair! Will definitely be back when I am in the area again.
Read morePros: Great seating for 8 away from others. , Quick Friendly service., Super fresh veggies.
Cons: None.
Guest
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