Vegan
American
Chinese
International
Organic
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Vietnamese
Gluten-free
Vegan restaurant established in 1994. Offers an extensive selection of Asian and international cuisine including pad Thai, pho, Thai green curry, jolly burger, and more. Large dining space. Open Mon 11:00am-2:00pm, 4:00pm-8:30pm, Wed-Fri 11:00am-2:00pm, Wed-Sun 4:00pm-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:00am-3:00pm.
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520 E Santa Clara St (at downtown), San Jose, California, USA, 95112
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- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 29 May 2023 by DonRainbow
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78 Reviews
First Review by veg4life
alberto_aguilar
Points +27
Super great - Edit
The food here was absolutely amazing, full of flavor and couldn't have asked for anything better. They had such a wide variety of foods to choose from. I got the Dancing Asparagus and highly recommend it. I'm newly vegan and also tried their cheezecake out as well and it was great!
Read moreGuest
HoracioZambranaSr.
Points +18
amazing! - Edit
I had the mango salad - absolutely delicious and filling. I plan to come back and try the other dishes.
Read moreGuest
bsanassarian
Points +57
SO GOOD - Edit
If I lived in San Jose, I would go here all the time. Their Thai Iced Tea was the best I've ever had. I also had the vegan BLT sandwich with Tempeh Bacon and OMG was it delicious. The bread was heaven. It also came with a side soup and salad - which were both SO GOOD I DREAM ABOUT IT.
Read morePros: Adorable - It looks like you're inside a dollhouse, All vegan!, Knowledgeable staff
Cons: It could be cheaper, but I'm not complaining
Guest
Marthazon
Points +113
Good food! - Edit
Highly recommend you try this place! Not only is this restaurant 100% vegan, they are environmentally conscious: They use solar energy, energy efficient lighting and appliances, and provide either biodegradable or compostable take-out food packaging. Oh, and the food is great! With so many options to choose from, everyone will find something they like.
Read morePros: Allergy labels, Friendly staff, Environmentally friendly
Guest
ktmast
Points +487
Vegetarian House delicious - Edit
The food at Vegetarian House was fantastic. We went for my daughter's birthday. At the end of the meal the staff brought out ice cream for her. The staff was very friendly, attentive and helpful. We are training a puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind. The server offered to bring her water and vegan treats. The atmosphere is a throwback to the 70's , well maintained and clean. We enjoyed the food so much we came back a few days later and placed a large order to go so we could enjoy the food over the next few days.
Read morePros: great staff and food
Guest
rebecca.bguttadauro
Points +59
Similar to Loving Hut, good selection - Edit
I've been here a few times and have always liked the food. I take my non-vegan friends here and they enjoy it too :) The selection of food is similar to the Loving Hut. I like their pad thai and spring rolls. I think I've gotten a curry here before too. It's close to SJSU so that is good for students.
Read morePros: large selection of food
Guest
SaraRooskie
Points +92
Awesome place. - Edit
I absolutely love this place. The Gurus Curry is amazing. Their veg meat is AWESOME. Also, try getting the curry chow mien with rice noodles. Oh my, so, so good. I haven't been disappointed with anything yet!
Read morePros: Yummy veg meat, Excellent food, Good value
Cons: Strange atmosphere
Guest
CaliforniaVegan
Points +20
Terrific food, nice atmosphere - Edit
The criticism that this is a cult may be valid, because as others have mentioned there is a large portrait of the "Supreme Master" in the lobby, but there is no proselytizing or even religious pamphlets as far as I could see, and no TV extolling said the said master as exists in some "Loving Hut" restaurants. We ddi not feel uncomfortable in any way, except perhaps on the drive there (see below). One gets the impression that their veganism is from an religious/ethical point of view rather than purely health, but that is fine with me. The food however, is wonderful (we especially liked the "Rainbow" dish - presumably a vegan take off on a sweet & sour version of Rainbow trout complete with non-fishy delicately textured vegan protein wrapped in a seaweed skin decked with misc. vegetables and pineapple smothered in sauce). The staff are attentive without being intrusive. The neighborhood is rather sketchy however, with homeless people pushing carts and the restaurant parking lot is surrounded by a wrought iron fence with a gate that closes at 10pm IIRC. A sure sign of urban decay. However, all of the negatives are forgotten once you taste the food -- everything was good, servings were generous, and although I am not a foodie and seldom get too excited about any specific food, this place was memorably good.
Read moreGuest
gr33n0rchid
Points +87
welcome to the vegan cult - Edit
when you first walk in there is a life size portrait of the Supreme Master... Then the staff stare at you the whole time... Thing going for this place is that the restaurant has a nice, almost "date night" feel and the food is really, really good. If you want to-go or need a doggy bag....there is a sign suggesting you bring your own. Its sad but this place actually makes vegans look bad. My 2 cow review is based on the atmosphere, if it wasn't for that very uncomfortable feeling I would give more cows for the food.
Read morePros: ample menu, good food, nice atmosphere
Cons: not much parking
Guest
veganin2014
Points +133
Great Place - Great Food - Edit
Was in San Jose on business and went to Vegetarian House with a friend who is not vegan. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was great - we were not rushed and the wait staff made sure to recommend some favorites and even gave us a "picture" menu to help us decide. My non-Vegan friend even said she needs to try more vegetarian/vegan restuarants!
Read moreGuest
vegankiddo
Points +76
Favorite spot in San Jose - Edit
This is hands down my favorite vegan restaurant in San Jose! There are some menu items that are better than others, but for the most part, you can't go wrong with your order. I go here so often, the staff all know me and feel like friends. The menu is large, almost everything can be made gluten-free, and it's all delicious!
Read morePros: Delicious food, Friendly staff, Large menu
Guest
Vegan Mom
Points +88
really good and fun ambiance - Edit
Large menu with great choices. They are good at recommending ideas if you don't know what to choose. Just leave room for dessert. Tiramisu is so good. We had five people and shared two desserts. The restaurant itself is really worth going for just to see. it has the feeling of something religious but they don't push it more than just having a pamphlet. They also sell vegan goodies by the cash register. If in San Jose, I recommend you stop by and try it. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Read morePros: variety of food, decent prices, all vegan
Guest
katy3
Points +185
good food - Edit
Most vegetarian restaurants, especially Asian ones, tend to serve greasy and salty food. The food at Vegetarian House is tasty without the extra grease, which appeals to my health conscious attitude. We've tried the flying Buddha, wonton soup, happy BBQ, curry noodle, happy crispy rice, raw pad tai, and quinoa sushi. They were all delicious! The best part I love about this place is the variety of vegan desserts! I've had the carrot cake, key lime pie, carob mousse pie, and the tiramisu. Loved the key lime pie and the carrot cake. The other two were also very good. Can't wait to try them all! BTW, my non-vegan hubby also likes this place. :)
Read morePros: taste
Guest
EdGauci
Points +80
Great Food / nice setting - Edit
We came here on a Groupon deal; it was Saturday at lunchtime.
Read moreThe place itself is quite nice. It has its own parking lot - nice feature in the downtown area. On the outside, it has this sort of light blue motif which initially seems kind of weird. Inside, the main dining room is nice, with good sturdy tables and colorful window glass.
The lobby area has the typical Supreme Master doodads, but that's OK. They're completely passive and you can just ignore them, or not, as you wish.
We had spring rolls, mushroom noodle soup, quinoa sushi (beautiful and tasty), and wild rice mix. and vegetable curry masala. Everything was very good.
We'll go back soon - Vegetarian House definitely deserves a place on our regular restaurants list.
Pros: good food, clean, friendly staff
EdGauci
We've been to Vegetarian House a couple more times since that first visit. The latest was Valentine's Day. Discovered two things: 1) they have another whole dining room I hadn't noticed before. 2) Even so, they were packed for dinner that night. I guess Vegans can be romantic too. :)
Read moreAnyway, Vegetarian House does not disappoint. The crispy mushrooms dish was incredibly delicious. Great desserts too.
Guest
syork2
Points +158
Amazing food, great service, quirky ambiance - Edit
I love this place. This veg restaurant has the best ambiance by far - quirky and colorful while still relaxing. There is quite a bit of information about the owner's particular beliefs but I'd rather see that stuff which talks about helping the environment, animals and people than go into a restaurant that doesn't have any info. about what you can do AFTER you're done with your meal.
Read moreThe service is great as well. They are very laid back but professional. They aren't pushy or fake or overly happy. They're calm and get you the things you need in a reasonable amount of time.
The food is SO awesome. We feel so lucky to live near a place that serves such amazing vegan food. While it's not the healthiest thing on the menu, their ocean basket is insanely good. I haven't had fried shrimp since become veg over 10 years ago and their version tastes JUST like the real thing! And their exotic mushrooms taste a lot like calamari (or what I remember them tasting like way back when...)!
Their raw Spicy Thai Wrap was AMAZING and you get so much for the price. You won't think you're eating raw when you try this!
Today, we tried a slice of their tiramisu and, let me tell you, this was probably one of the most decadent, delectable desserts I have EVER HAD. I don't remember seeing it on the menu before, but, OMG, if they have it, GET IT. And get it with their coffee too - it's smooth, strong and delicious.
Obviously, I highly recommend this place. If anything, I wish they would start serving breakfast (tofu scrambles, waffles, French toast, etc.), even just one day a week because I know it would be absolutely delicious and we definitely need something like that in San Jose!
Pros: AMAZING food - everything looks good, Quirky and colorful ambiance, Calm and professional service
Cons: Wish they would start serving breakfast!
Guest
Tserisa
Points +70
Delicious, Can't Wait to Return - Edit
I only get down to San Jose about once a year, and I have seriously been craving this food ever since January, 2010! While we were staying there for a week, we ate at Vegetarian House several times.
Read moreEverything is vegan, which is absolutely delightful, it's such a freedom to be able to order everything on the menu without worry.
I had the Thai iced tea bubble tea every time. I just love that I can get a vegan Thai iced tea, and added tapioca balls is a bonus!
We had many different meals while there. The portions were large and satisfying.
My husband and I shared a huge bowl of their International House Special Soup. It was light and delicious, a classic in the style of egg-drop soup (egg free of course, but with silken tofu giving it that same sort of feel).
Twice I got their Avocado BLT, which is made with tempeh, on the most delicious bread, crusty and flakey on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
Remembering their Fettuccine Alfonzo is making me salivate as I write this review! The alfredo sauce was the best vegan alfredo I've tasted so far. Even my husband liked it, and he didn't like alfredo sauces before he went vegan! This is definitely the first thing I'll be ordering when I go there next.
We also splurged one evening and got fried ice cream for dessert. Vegan. Fried. Ice. Cream. Seriously! It wasn't just vanilla either, it was delicious cherry chocolate ice cream! Drizzled with syrups and served with fruit. Holy Happy Cow!
The staff were extremely friendly. By the time we left for Portland at the end of our trip, they knew us quite well! As we left for the last time, one of the staff actually ran out the front door to wave goodbye as we caught our taxi! They were extremely helpful and attentive.
Yes, the restaurant is run by members of a New Religious Movement. However, they never once tell you to join their religion. The pamphlets and posters are there, but they do not force you to read them or believe them. I have never once felt pressured when visiting a restaurant run by the followers of this religion (and many vegetarian restaurants are).
Excellent food, I can't wait to go back!
Pros: Tasty Food, Western and Asian Choices, Friendly Staff
Guest
20YearVegetarian
Points +17
Favorite Vegetarian Restaurant - Edit
I've been going here for longer than I can remember (I think about 10 years now) and I STILL think it's the best Vegetarian restaurant in the South Bay Area. Some people are turned off by the association with Master Ching Hai, but the staff has not once tried to 'convert' me. It's there if your interested but that's all.
Read moreSo on to the food. I've tried just about everything on the menu so here are my recommendations of the best dishes to get:
Starter:
Tom Kha Thai Soup
Spring Rolls
Salad:
Heavenly Salad
Entree:
Tasty Glory
Kung Pao Wow
Golden Era
Mum's Stir Fry
Crispy Mushroom Delight (just scrapes in to the list; I don't order it often but I do like it)
I also had the Tofu Club sandwich one time which was decent.
They've had problems in the past with getting your food out at the right time (i.e. appetizers show up after the entree's, one entree comes then the other 10/15 minutes later, that sort of thing). I think recently they've been better about that though. I would give them 5 stars if they were a little more consistent with bringing out the dishes and if it were a little cheaper but I only say that while putting on the 'let's be like a food critic' hat.
Pros: Best Veggie Food in South Bay Area
Guest
vduplessis
Points +72
yummy, but it is a cult? - Edit
we found this place by Googling 'vegan San Jose' & were pleasantly surprised by our expereience!
Read moreGINORMOUS menu-- everyone will find something they like. We stuck to the Chinese & Thai items on the menu & everythign was tasty. Chocoalte cake was AWESOME.
we were a bit put off by all the Supreme Master propoganda...
Pros: good food, huge menu, good value
Cons: religious propoganda, slow service
Guest
ElaineVigneault
Points +87
Great Food, but Service Was Lacking - Edit
On our drive back down the Californian coast from San Francisco, we stopped in San Jose for dinner at The Vegetarian House.
Read moreThe restaurant was very easy to find, right off the freeway. (Here's a map.) However, once inside, we were confused. The restaurant is odd. The entrance is blocked by a baby grand piano used as a table for various health literature. To the left is a bar/bakery section. A food server greeted us and walked us back to the right portion of the restaurant, which looked to be an enclosed patio.
We were seated, given menus, and water and then we waited. The service is not great. They were rather busy and things seemed a little hectic. Maybe someone called in sick, maybe their management sucks, who knows...? But we weren't the only ones who had to wait. Later, the place got even more busy and one poor guy sitting near us had to wait nearly 20 minutes before someone took his order.
However, the service, when it came, was great. Everyone was very friendly. They brought out the correct items with proper utensils and refilled our waters when needed. And the food was great! Just wonderful. The selection is terrific. I could eat every meal for a month there and not have the same thing twice.
We had a Thai curry potato soup and something called an "ocean plate", which was bean curd wrapped in seaweed served with rice, sauce, and scallions.
I recommend the Vegetarian House in San Jose if you're ever in the area. Just plan ahead and give yourself a little time. That, or order take out :)
Pros: wide variety, good food, vegan
Cons: slow service
Guest
AJ
Points +56
Loved it! - Edit
Some things are excellent, like the clay pot and others are mediocre but I love this place because the menu is huge (and all vegan!) and the staff is really friendly. If you go on a Saturday try the chai. The cake is also very good.
Read morePros: Huge menu, Staff is great
Cons: A little noisy
Guest
Delmar831
Points +40
SO amazingly good - Edit
All Vegan and yummy. There are nice spins on traditional omni favorites such as the fettuccine alfonzo (which I ordered). The side salad for it was amazing! I ordered the Curry Soup to go and it was so incredible. For dessert I had the coconut cake that I still dream of today.
Read morePros: All-Vegan, Desserts
Guest
groovyvegan
Points +299
Some very good dishes, some boring ones - Edit
The dishes here are not gourmet, but down-home mostly Asian cooking. Some are quite good here; you just have to know what to order. I highly recommend the 3-cup wonder,which contains "soy protein chunks, Chinese berries, dates, herbs, ginger, shitake and fresh basil braised in a metal pot." (It tastes better than it sounds.) I also highly recommend the Thai curry soup, which is not very spicy, but quite flavorful. I also like the Heavenly Salad (their most popular salad) which is a lot like pad thai, but with a shredded raw cabbage base instead of cooked noodles. The 1000 layer tofu is good too.
Read moreA boring dish is the au lac chicken chow fun, which has a non-descript boring sauce. Overall, however, I highly recommend this place, as does my omni fiance and his omni friend.
In addition to good, reasonably priced food, they have friendly staff and free parking.
P.S. The fortune cookies here are vegan. :-)
Pros: Delicious food, Reasonably priced, Free parking
Cons: Not organic, A few boring dishes
groovyvegan
Update: I was there in November 2007, and a staff member told me they are moving in the direction of making their menu all organic. :-)
Read moreGuest
dogmother
Points +18
not bad, but need ventilation inside - Edit
I am an avid cook and wanted to see their versions of some of the vegetarian dishes I make. For example, their version of tofu broccoli is very soupy, nearly more of a soup than true tofu/broccoli. Very bland tasting dishes, even for those who are vegetarian and also cook vegetarian dishes at home. In addition, the indoor ventilation was not good on both occasions, hence the restaurant was swathed in various scents, some of which do not go well together and make the experience slightly negative.
Read morePros: good parking
Cons: poor ventilation
Guest
veg4life
Points +35
Best restaurant in SF Bay Area - Edit
Amazing food selection - love the Queen's Chicken, the Fried Chicken, the Organic Salad and the Fried Ice Cream. I've eaten at over 100 veg restaurants in Bay Area. This is, hands down, the best there is. Warm atmosphere - helpful waiters - free parking!
Read morePros: awesome selection, fast service, reasonable prices
Guest
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