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Radha
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Yoga Yoga [Edit]
730 Main StVancouver, BC V6A 2V7
Neighbourhood: Strathcona
(604) 605-0011
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 7 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sun 9 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Radha
16 reviews in English
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Review from Theresa W.
Vancouver, BC
4/7/2011
While I'm not a vegan, I definitely appreciate this eatery for creating a welcoming atmosphere for those curious about vegan food. I came in all sheepish and embarrassed and worried about not being full, but the food that came out was amazing. It's well plated, it's beyond delicious, and it's surprisingly filling!
I ordered a wakame & mung bean salad and a butternut squash dosa as starters, and then a main dish of adzuki-millet timbale. The mung bean salad was yum - it had a hint of vinegared sourness that was completely opposite of the sweet dosa. But the timbale was the winner of the night - it comes in a bed of curry sauce, the kind of spicy that burns your lips and makes you sweat but you want to keep eating it! I loved every spoonful of it, and was so sad when the plate emptied.
Added bonus - the light snack they drop off at the table when you first sit down is delicious and creative! I always forget about it, and it's a happy surprise when I see it again. Who knew pumpkin seeds could provide so much joy!
The place has a great atmosphere, they servers are very helpful and I love the open layout of the place ;)
I'm just extremely sad that Radha is closing down their eatery at the end of April :(((((((((((
http://www.straight.co... -
Review from Jasmine O.
Vancouver, BC
10/23/2010
Beautiful. The first thing I thought about Radha... This layout has got to be the prettiest and most serene in town..
Butternut Squash Agnolotti. Divine.
Service= 6 out of 5 stars. Shawn is an incredible waitress.
Definitely a vegan's wet dream... and I'm only a vegetarian...Listed in: Greatest Hits, Where you'll find me, date night late night
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Review from Sara M.
12/20/2010
I had the pleasure of attending a Meatless Meetup dinner here last week.
The space is beautiful, the staff are lovely and the food was quite tasty. The dinner we had was buffet style - so my review is a little skewed.... When it comes to food produced for masses, the quality always suffers a bit. That's just a fact, not a comment on the chefs. Also, we missed out on the fancy presentation that you normally get with individual dinners.
I am sure my four stars will be bumped up to five when come back for an individual meal. I am so looking forward to it. I want to try this Butternut Squash Agnolotti everyone is on about. -
Review from caroline s.
Burnaby, BC
1/18/2011
To say I love this place - for it's food, it's friendly service and overall feeling of calm - is an understatement.
Vegan: am I? No. But I appreciate it MASSIVELY. And just wish they had a Burnaby outlet
Service: They were understaffed, and they apologised profusely for the delayed service of our food, but you don't go there to rush. Ok people? Love it. So lovely.
Location: Massive thumbs down as it's not a great place to feel safe in, downtown. But it doesn't matter. Again, I just wish it was closer to me.
I had nori roll and the turkish desert - un-bel-eive-able. My friend's meal escapes me, but her raw apple tart and coconut ice-cream were a gastronomic delight. More please!
I would give 6 stars if they would please deliver to me once a week. Please? -
Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
9/30/2010 1 Check-in Here
NOTE: RADHA IS CLOSED as far as I know.
I agree that this is hands-down the best vegan food in Vancouver. Radha's meals are consistently wonderful, whether they're seasonal offerings or menu mainstays. It is absolutely worth the price. Organic produce and delicately constructed flavour profiles make every bite delightful.
The wine list is vegan and organic, so if you're going on a fancy date dinner, this is a fantastic place to splurge on wine. The service is very good - certainly better than I'm used to from vegetarian restaurants.
They are sensitive to allergy concerns and serve a daily raw special for our friends who don't cook their food. I love Radha.
I just wish I could afford to eat there more often.Listed in: Vegan Vancouver, Business Time
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Review from susan o.
2/4/2010
Mmmmmmmm, so good.
This place is known for its enlightened approach to health and community - the downstairs by day is a yoga studio and offers workshops on healing, healthful cooking etc. I was told residents of the rundown East side where the resto is located eat or take yoga there for free (forget which).
But it don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that zing. I'm an omnivore, literally meaning I eat everything, sadly, as long it tastes good.
Hooboy, did I eat.
We started with the nori-wrapped sesame and avocado rolls and spicy, crisp pakoras. For mains, I shared the portobello mushroom steak with beets sauteed with caraway seeds and carmelized onion. Also tried a slab of the raw veggie lasagne - a dense, flavourful cake of layered raw zucchini and carrots in a zesty, unforgettable tomato sauce. Also partook in a glass of the refreshing homemade, gingery and effervescent Kombucha drink.
For dessert, we had a wedge of vegan chocolate banana pie that was deep and dark, garnished with a chewy, sweet piece of banana jerky.
It's not rabbit food and nothing on the menu is pretending to be meat, yay!
Minus one star because I thought it was pricey for what you get and, while it's excellent for vegan, you're just not going to bowl me over like it would if it was all slapped with some butter. -
Review from SaraJane K.
Vancouver, BC
5/12/2010
Radha is my absolute favorite vegan restaurant in Vancouver. The food is amazing. It's definitely not the usual boring stuff you might find. Everything is 5 star quality. I love that they use local and organic ingredients as much as possible.
I also love that they have a seasonally changing menu. Every time I go there I'm excited about what I'm eating and savoring the taste. I have a few food allergies, which can be a bit tricky when dining out, but the staff was incredibly helpful at making sure the food didn't contain any of those things. I like that I've never seen any soy or wheat on the menu. Everything is flavorful, fresh and imaginative. I still have daydreams about their raw chocolate banana pie. Yum!
Every time I've gone here, it's been packed, even when I was trying for an early dinner. I would recommend making a reservation at least the day before to ensure you get a table. I've sat at the bar and eaten before, though and it's fine. It's not like sitting at the bar at most places for your dinner. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
12/4/2008
As an unabashed carnivore and lover of food that is cooked, I probably wouldn't have gone to Radha if it weren't for an event being held there. Frankly, I just don't get the lengths vegan cuisine goes to to replace all the evil (imagine Dr. Evil would pronouncing it eee-veal), animal-derived ingredients such as butter and eggs. I'm sorry, but sprouted seeds and carob chips do not a chocolate-chip cookie make.
But, I'm always willing to try a new place, and you can't argue with a free buffet and a drink ticket on top. The nori rolls left a strong and hard to get rid of aftertaste, but the roasted vegetables were tasty. The maple-flavoured shortbread cookies on offer were also quite nice, if on the heavy side. But the brownies were excellent! Light and hopefully containing chocolate, they made a happy end to my vegan experiment.
Radha is probably better known for their yoga classes, and it's a lovely space for both exercising and eating, with old wood floors and brick - the classic heritage look. -
Review from Lee A.
12/8/2010
As a vegan, and eco-friendly, spiritual person, I was excited to try Radha on the suggestion of my fiancee.
We made dinner reservations, and were allowed to select our own table by the window. The interior is a marriage of what was via the hardwoods and exposed brick, and what we all seek to attain via the spiritual statues and inspirational cause posters.
I immediately felt at peace, warm, ready for an experience, and fully trusting of the vegan meal to come.
Our dinner began with raw pumpkin seed and tamari crackers. They were so tasty and rich!
The cashew cheese with sun dried tomato was another winner. I was grateful for an enthusiastic and loving mouth with which to share the meal. One would be rolled away with the generous portions.
Next came our entrees: the Butternut Squash Agnolotti and curry quinoa grain bowl. Both dishes were incredible, but the agnolotti was ethereal. I've never tasted quite that combination of flavours and textures.
Again, I was glad for help in finishing the meal.
We chanced desserts with our filling bellies: carrot cake and the chocolate torte with ganache. I am a carrot cake freak who hates cooked raisins. This carrot cake had no raisins and a very light cream frosting.
I'm not as into chocolate as I am carrots, apparently! I thought the torte was more of a vegan chocolate cheesecake, and a successful one!
After a coffee with agave and assorted nondairy milks, we rolled out of this beautiful place without much of a dent in our wallets for all the fare we'd enjoyed.
I cannot wait to return.
Kudos to our server that night. I wish I'd grabbed her name. She had a sweet and earnest smile that just made a romantic, spiritual meal all the more memorable.
Well done, Radha! -
Review from geraldine g.
Toronto, ON
2/2/2010
I had been eagerly anticipating this experience but was sadly disappointed.
The woman I had contacted about my gluten free concerns was wonderful both in writing and in person. It was a pleasure to meet her. From the experience I had at this place, the best part of the place.
All that being said, there was cross contamination with the food my gluten free companion ate. She was terribly ill after eating.
On top of that, the service from our waiter was slow and to be honest, not too great. Perhaps, he was new.
What was the problem you ask? Well, we came at 6:30 pm on a Saturday. They opened, I believe, at 5:30 or 6:00 pm and we were told that one dish after another was sold out or unavailable. This did not leave a great impression for prep on a saturday night.
The food was nothing special. They had potential in the descriptions I read but the actual palette follow through left me unsatisfied. I would say that the food is filling but as far as taste goes, not something I want to eat again.
I will say that the space is fantastic! Incredibly inviting interior and very casual. It's what made the dinner worthwhile. -
Review from Katie K.
Vancouver, BC
10/23/2010
i've been eating here since it opened and more recently have had not so great experiences. i used to go at least once a week for quite some time. i notice the place has a hard time keeping employees as they always seem new.
tonight i waited upwards of 45 minutes for to go food. the special in fact, the pizza special and the raw special. how long does it take to put raw veggies in a plastic to go container?
the servers were apologetic after half an hour of me looking at the clock, calling a friend, and bailing on my friday night plans as i was hungry and waiting for food. pretty lame for $35.
i had to ask for water. no one refilled it. i was given back half my money (but not half the tip) once i was given my food, and made it clear that i was disappointed. i was given excuses that the fridge had broken down, the kitchen was an hour behind, and the restaurant was full. they were nice, i just felt like i was on the receiving end of poor service.
this place is only open four hours at a time, four days a week. there were 3 servers handling all the tables. when someone orders food, the least the servers could do is tell them they're an hour behind. i would have gone up the street to organic lives.
another service point: if you don't have to go boxes for your pizza, tell the customer when they order. i would have picked something else. honestly, what horrible (ugly) presentation of such delicious food. the tin foil and masking tape packaging fell apart, my pizza was squished.
i feel like the prices have gone up, the portions aren't as big, and i can't confirm with the staff that everything is or isn't organic. i might be paying for over priced non organic vegan food..... hmmmm. -
Review from Susanne J.
Hope, BC
Fantastic place to try new things. I had a sunchoke and nettle pesto phyllo purse. It came with potatoes (menu said roasted veggies) which weren't all too exciting but I was happy nonetheless. The vermicelli rolls my friend got were fantastic. Nori rolls were decent. Canneloni was excellent. Amazing it was all done dairy free.
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Review from John R.
Winnipeg, MB
11/19/2010
While visiting our daughter in Vancouver she invited us into this restaurant. The food was good and the place was very nice. Over all it was a good experience for the whole party (all 6 of us), however Unless we where near by I am not sure we would be rushing back with so many other interesting options in town.
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Review from Dayna S.
Vancouver, BC
6/24/2010
I need to check this place out a few more times. The philosophy is great. The atmosphere is warm and there is local art on the walls. The food I had on my only visit since they reopened after renos last summer was pretty good.
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Review from Jenny G.
Richmond, BC
2/28/2011
Food is spotty. Some of it is made off site.
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Review from Hal H.
11/21/2009
after hearing so many amazing things about Radha, i made sure i splurged on my second trip to Vancouver, BC.
(they were closed for renovations the 1st time).
i am only reviewing the eatery.
disclaimer: i've worked in a vegan bakery/cafe for years. my standards for baked goods is especially high. my dining partners (at the time) were big fans of Radha.
before heading out on my trip i was soooooo excited about Radha. i drooled over their online menus and posted a copy of it on facebook so my friends could bubble over with jealousy.
overall, Vancouver is much more expensive than Portland....and the exchange rate doesn't help either. nevertheless, i was prepared to drop $28 (plus tip) for their app/entree/dessert combo.
after all, everything i had heard about this all vegan/mostly organic and seasonal place was amazing. everyone said it was worth the price.
appetizer: my friends and i were all excited about the special that night. garlic roasted gnocchi.... something like that.
our waiter explained that the chef had tossed out the first batch of gnocchi he had made, since it was sub-par... and wanted to make sure our dish was up to his standards. therefore it would be a little longer of a wait.
personally, i was totally okay with that. because if i'm paying for food, i'd rather wait a little longer to get better tasting food....rather than settling for mediocre, faster food.
another 20 mins later, the waiter comes out and explains that the same situation happened again.
our gnocchi came out on the 3rd attempt....maybe 45 mins after arriving at the restaurant.
it was roasted flat and crispy on one side, and pretty mushy all through out. it was edible, but i'm guessing the consistency still wasn't right. and out of frustration, it was just sent out because we had already waited so long.
entree: my friend didn't like her reuben at all. she said the vinegar/fermented taste was overpowering the rest of the sandwich. she didn't finish it.
my other friend had the veggie burger. he said it was okay, but still couldn't convince himself to eat all of it. he said his beer was good. we unanimously voted his side of potato wedges the favorite part of the entire meal.
i got the jerk stuffed pepper. i'm familiar with many jerk dishes. and i can proudly say i've enjoyed many delicious jerk flavored meals at Hillside Quickie in Seattle.
i can't express how underwhelmed i was by my stuffed pepper at Radha though. i REALLY wanted to like. honestly, i tried hard.
i thought the spice level was decent. however, i've never had a jerk dish that was so overpowered with cinnamon. it was so strong, i didn't really enjoy many bites.
i always clean my plate, especially when i eat out. or at the very least i take my leftovers home. unfortunately i just couldn't do it this time. and i didn't take it home because i knew i wouldn't want to eat it later.
the rice/pilaf side was fairly bland, but i just tried to mix it in with the rest of the dish. the greens were decent.
dessert: i think the waiter could tell we weren't really enjoying our food. after waiting so long for our appetizer, i think we were all hyped up for some 5 star meal. unfortunately, we felt pretty let down.
the waiter was nice enough to offer us free desserts. we each got a different one.
chocolate cake: decent. yes, i've had better vegan chocolate cake. you'll probably enjoy it, but it's certainly not worth 8 bucks, maybe 3 or 4.
raw cheesecake: the highlight of the review. honestly, i think they did a good job with this.
pudding: oh man, what a way to end my meal. i only picked this because my friends chose the other 2 desserts. pretty tasteless. made in a mold, so it just looks like a can of cat food dumped upside down. pretty eerie consistency, not pudding, not jello... softer. and you can suck it through your teeth. i really can't describe it. you'd have to try it to understand. if "cloudy water" was a flavor, it might be that.
the saving grace was the cookie that it came with. i really enjoyed it. i'd buy that tiny cookie again, just not for 8 bucks.
lastly: the waiter apologized again and gave us complimentary coupons for free chais. he honestly did the best job he could. i would give him 4 stars. after all, he did make us laugh by dishing out some pretty intimate massages/snuggles with some of the other wait staff).
i know it can't always be easy dealing with customers that are really disappointed and are too embarrassed to fully express it.
the food we ate that night definitely gets 2 stars.
both of my friends were really surprised. the last time they ate there (a year ago) they were amazed and beyond satisfied.
they suspect that a new chef could be working there now and might be working some kinks out.
i may give Radha another shot in the future. but it won't be for quite some time. i'll just be thankful for how spoiled i am with quality vegan establishments in portland
