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Sweet Cherubim Natural Food Stores & Restaurant
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Food Specialty Food Health Food Store Vegetarian, Health Food Store [Edit]
1105 Commercial DrVancouver, BC V5L 3X3
Neighbourhoods: Grandview-Woodlands, The Drive
(604) 253-0969
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
33 reviews for Sweet Cherubim Natural Food Stores & Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"And the Chocolate Bliss Balls." In 4 reviews -
"I love the California Salad with the tofu cheese." In 4 reviews -
"...made "fresh" including smoothies, wraps, veggie burger, etc." In 4 reviews
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33 reviews in English
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Review from Veronica D.
Vancouver, BC
I like that they have so many options, and if you're in a hurry a lot of it is pre made so you can eat quickly.
I got a brown rice plate with 2 sides of curry and a pappadam. It was pretty good, not too greasy or too spicy.
The hardest thing is really deciding what to get, they have so many choices. I like that they label and say what is vegan so it's helpful.
I got a piece of banana bread to go and it was very delicious and moist. Banana bread is one of my favourite things, but most places don't make it very well.
If i lived closer I would come more often, but for now it will just be when I go to Commercial. -
Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been eating at Sweet Cherubim for years and always am really excited by the GF selection they have. The service is usually pretty quick and the staff are usually quite friendly.
Located right on the Drive they are front and centre for all hippie-dippie that exists in Vancouver. They have a great selection of snacks, savoury and sweet, as well as baked goods, salads and smoothies.
I am a fan of dropping in when I need a small snack and I haven't had a full meal there in ages.
The staff are nice, but sometimes it gets hectic and it's easy to get caught up in the hubbub, aka it's easy to have your order mixed or have to fight for what you want. -
Review from Roanna Z.
Updated - 3/18/2012 5 photos
The renovations look absolutely fabulous! Now we know why the prices are so high. ;P
Today I had a Spinach Lentil patty (I forgot what they call it) but you can pick it up in the store part where the cookies are. These make a great gluten free snack! Delicious! I'd stop in anytime for that. The owner was also again very nice and patient today while assisting me. Aside from the owner though, I've seldom been impressed with the service staff. Today it seemed they were training some new faces. One can always hope for improvements!
The outdoor seating and sign area have greatly improved and the restaurant part is more styled now. Overall they really have done a fantastic job improving how the place looks!Listed in: Gluten Free/ Dairy free eats., More bag for your grocery…
4 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/26/2010
Sweet Cherubim has a long time reputation for offering hot, fresh, home style vegetarian Indian… Read more »
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Review from Alice A.
4/22/2012
What an awesome local buy-and-eat place with such a quirky feel. Food wise, it's decent but I wasn't blown way. We had the Thali special, and everything was fairly satisfying. Next time I definitely want to try the sweets. Wow, do they have a display fridge FULL of cookies, chocolate goodies, pies and what not. Because of places like Sweet Cherubim, I'm officially a Drive fan!
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Review from Tristan R.
Vancouver, BC
2/15/2012
I have yet to shop in the grocery section and have only eaten in the cafe. But holy crap-o-la it was good! I hit it up Friday nights after the gym and the first time I ate here, it was so good I made it part of the Friday routine.
Samosas, treats, and drinks rank high on my list. If they as if you want veggie butter, the answer is yes. I didn't know what to expect but it's super tasty. C'mon you get get regular butter any time. Try it, you'll dig it. I usually order the same thing, so I've not branched out a great deal, but give it a go. Perfect for friends who are gluten-sensitive, vegetarian, vegan, cleansing or otherwise selective eaters who are a pain in the ass to dine out with. If they can't eat something here they like, I'm guessing they live off of dirt and bong water.
Good place to catch up with a friend. -
Review from Tessa B.
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Just went in yesterday to see they have been totally renovated! What a surprise. It looks very nice, but somehow seems more impersonal.
As far as food goes, I love it. They have so many delicious gluten free and vegan options, and EVERYTHING is vegetarian. If you're vegetarian or GF I'd say checking this place out is a must. There is a grocery store attached that has all kinds if goodies, too.Listed in: Gluten Free, Happy Me!
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Review from Megan S.
12/19/2011
Great veggie burgers and the samosas are always delicious, baked or fried. I'm also a big fan of the sunshine salad dressing (though it contains honey, so vegans be warned!), I could seriously sit down and eat a giant vat of that stuff, with or without a salad. I wish everything here is as good as these items, but sadly...not so.
The subjis are all quite bland and taste pretty much the same across the board, the prepared salads sit in their dressing all day and become soggy and inedible, and I haven't tried a single dessert item that I would ever eat again without being paid to do so. I know that seems to be their thing - the vegan sweets - but perhaps they're catering to people who have forgotten what real sweets are supposed to taste like? I dunno...but their pumpkin pie has got to be the worst offender, blech.
Service is pretty slow and the line-up is uncoordinated; there are always a few budgers, partially due to all the chaos and confusion in the place and partially due to the abundance of selfish hipsters.
Not a bad place overall, as certain menu items are redeeming but there are better places to eat on the Drive. -
Review from Felicity D.
Vancouver, BC
3/10/2012
Best breakfast cookies in town! 4 out of 5 times I have gone here, the food has been fantastic... then every once in a while I get a batch of something that is indelibly spicy, and I have a high tolerance for (and love of) spicy food. Invariably, I stop eating here for a while and am eventually lured back to fall in love with the food again. 5 visits down the road, it happens again! If you'd just stop burning me, Sweet Cherubim, you'd see me much more often.
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Review from Stephanie F.
Vancouver, BC
10/22/2011
Biggest selection of vegan cookies I've ever seen. And they're GOOD cookies.
Sorry, I just thought I'd start with my favorite part. Secondly, their samosas selection is also great. They're great priced and HUGE. Not to mention they're not greasy, as you can get them baked!
They have a great adjourning Indian vegan restaurant. I love indian food, but often they're aren't a hundred percent sure what they have that is vegan. Not here! They know exactly, and they are fully aware that the sugar in Vancouver is NOT vegan. I find that this place can be very overpriced for what you get though. One tiny dry stick of tofu pakoras were 2 bucks, and not worth and part of it. So skip it, and grab a samosa instead.
Despite that, I do love it here. Service is pretty good at the counter, but not the restaurant (where it's slow and almost painful), but they have a great knowledge on veganism and their selection is awesome. Definitely a must-go-to for a quick bite when I'm on the drive. -
Review from Patricia L.
Vancouver, BC
10/17/2011
Love the Samosas here. Super huge, plump and packed full of goodies. They taste super yummy and they are more than reasonable priced (under $3.00 I think).
Besides from their groceries and health care products area, they also have a fab vegetarian food serving area where everything looked and smelled delicious.
They offer gluten-free, vegan, and all vegetarian options at fair and reasonable prices in the city. Definitely worth checking out - even if you aren't vegetarian or vegan. -
Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
1/22/2012
This type of store is very fitting for the drive and very extensive in covering a lot of political and dietary culinary lifestyles with a lot of choices. I haven't tried any of their Gluten Free pastries, however, the fact that there are options makes me feel as though I don't have to deprive my sweet tooth. I find that the prices are very reasonable and attainable. They even have sugar free candy not made with aspartame. I haven't eaten in the restaurant portion, therefore, will defiantly return. The staff are super friendly and very receptive to help. They 're also patient with any questions you have.
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Review from Malloreigh M.
Vancouver, BC
3/3/2011 4 Check-ins Here
You know, I've had a few friends who've worked at Sweet Cherubim, and none of them feel as exuberantly as I do about this place, so let's keep that in mind. That said, I LOVE SWEET C's. There is a huge variety of mostly-vegan, all-vegetarian food on offer here every day, with seasonally changing subji (curry) and other specials. Their veggie burger is bar none the BEST veggie burger I have had in Vancouver, especially with that tofu-dill dressing. Allow 15-20 minutes for them to prepare the burger.
If you don't have that kind of time, I recommend the California salad - a huge amount of delicious ingredients for a really good price. Or, the rice bowl special. The samosas are city-famous for being delicious and stuffed full of great fillings. You can even get them baked if you're watching your oil intake. Sweet C's chocolate-covered bliss balls are possibly the best dessert I've ever had, and despite their richness, they don't inspire guilt.
The organic grocery store section carries a lot of great products, some even at reasonable prices. A favourite part of the food store is the selection of bulk herbs - make your own tea! Purchase fresh bulk catnip! Probably the best part of the food store is that you can purchase Sweet C's sauces and baked goods in bulk to take home. Their sale prices can beat the best in the neighbourhood - I remember once getting 1L of maple syrup here for 50% off. What?! That never happens!
There are certainly some bad things about Sweet C's. The food isn't always fresh, and the service can be a bit strained - they get pretty busy. But there are so many delicious food options and the quality is pretty consistent. I recommend this place for any vegetarian, though your meat-eating friends might find it a bit uninspired.
Note: Earth Balance is CHEAP here right now. Large (3lb) tubs for $8.99.Listed in: Vegan Vancouver, Grocery Shop
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Review from Sara M.
12/17/2010 ROTD 1/27/2011
It's a wonderful restaurant!
Arrested Development fans anyone?!
Well it is. Two words: Sunshine Dressing. It could be poured on a boot and I would eat it. Fantastic.! I love the California Salad with the tofu cheese..... baked chickpea samosas..... and cookies a plenty. They have a variety of salads and hot dishes to choose from... and everything seems very reasonably priced. I will probably make it a new years resolution to try every dessert in the case :)
The service is sometimes scattered and slow... but it's usually on the level. This is my go to place when I don't feel like cooking but want a healthy meal..... which is probably once a week. Check it out! -
Review from Shae B.
5/13/2011
I'm not a vegetarian but eat a gluten free dairy free diet so this is a great place to find desserts that I can actually eat for a not bad price. I love their chocolate bliss balls and mesa gluten free cookie. And the raw raspberry cake. The shop portion is also great because they have a lot of things that I haven't been able to find else where.
Their hours are also convienent since they're open 7 days a week and open a bit later.Listed in: Gluten Free Joints
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Review from Brian W.
Vancouver, BC
Updated - 5/2/2011
Kulwant's Famous Veggie Burger was one of the best I had ever had. Now they've decided to mess around with an amazing thing and make it worse.
The patty is smaller and isn't very red (lack of Beets) and it doesn't have that Gourmet and Scrumptious taste that it used to.
The bun used to taste home-made, but now it's some processed cheap and dollar store tasting bun.
How sad your restaurant can do such a thing.
If I ever eat in your restaurant again, it won't be the Veggie burger which I have been eating for at least a year on a semi-regular basis.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/30/2010
Kulwant's Famous Veggie Burger and Small Salad with Sunshine Dressing was marvelous today.
I think… Read more »
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Review from Wendy H.
Toronto, ON
9/15/2010
I've only been here once, mostly because my head exploded and I am now reviewing from beyond the grave.
But what happened before my untimely decapitation was this:
1. I ate a samosa that was perfection.
2. Upon spying the all-vegan baked good display, I went temporarily insane and ordered $20 worth of treats to eat later. Nanaimo bars, cookies, squares, more cookies! Sadly, this is when my head actually exploded.
But now that I've been spliced with a robot, I can now tell you that I desperately wish a place like this existed in Toronto - vegan, delicious, boasting a bountiful selection and located on an awesome strip.
PS: The baked goods lasted for a delectable 4 days of tea and treats. They all had a similar taste to them though - agave? Date? I'm not sure. The bird's nest cookie was my fave. -
Review from Luke L.
5/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
"Hi, I'll have a large California Salad with dairy cheese and Sunshine Dressing, please."
For that alone, Sweet Cherubim. It's cafeteria-style dining, bus your own table before and after you eat usually, if you can get a table at all. It's full of women who wear patchouli and don't shave, but they're generally friendly enough. And man, that salad is REALLY effin' GOOD! -
Review from Sarah D.
5/11/2011
Note: this is a review of the natural food store.
I don't know quite what it is about Sweet Cherubim, but I adore this little shop. Sure, the aisles are narrow and cramped and the place smells like hippies, but there's just something about this place that makes me smile.
Overall, their prices tend to be on the higher side, but they frequently have specials that kick all the Drive competitors' asses. Currently, they've got pre-made Indian curries (the ones that come in the box) on sale for $1.99 -I LOVE those things, and they're perfect for when I'm too lazy to cook. Also, you can buy litres of organic soy milk on sale for as little as $1.59. Sweet Cherubim also has a nice bulk section, as well as a vast selection of vitamins and supplements.
I would never be able to do a complete grocery shop here, but it's always well worth a stop-in to check out the sales. With such a good selection of healthy, organic foods, it's pretty difficult to take anything home that is "bad" for you. It's guilt-free shopping -hooray! -
Review from Denni P.
Vancouver, BC
4/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Favorite place on 'The Drive', GEM. I frequent the attached natural grocery store that is attached and would always buy the potato and spinach baked samosa. Since discovering the casual restaurant it's one of my favorite casual places on The Drive for wholesome vegetarian fare.
Yum vegetarian burger and fantastic miso gravy! -
Review from Kelsey P.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2010 5 photos
When you love pakora as much as me, you just can't stay away from this place and it's pakora burger. Even though it didn't knock my socks off it was still pretty darn good! I also got it with a side of pakora. Perhaps I took it too far? Oh well. I can't help what I love.
They had a really good selection of salads and casseroles and all kinds of meat-free dishes that I will return to try promptly. Seating is really hard to come by though, so maybe I'll get it to go next time. -
Review from reese p.
Vancouver, BC
3/18/2011
The samosas are amazing most of the time- I've had a few that were okay, but for the most part, they are delicious. I am especially partial to the baked feta and spinach one.
And the Chocolate Bliss Balls? Very aptly named. WOW.
But the service is a train wreck!! Every time I've come here, it's been a mess. And it always seems like everyone waiting for their orders are confused too- the employees just put the brown bag on the counter and no one knows whose order came up. If they just had a number system for each order, I think everything would run smoother.
Also, they once put a bliss ball in with a hot samosa... I mean come on- it melted all over the samosa and was a chocolatey mess.
I adore the food but the service needs a major overhaul! -
Review from Vanessa G.
5/4/2011
Really happy that my yoga studio is located next to this place! Nothing like doing some streching and then eatting some Indian food. Maybe i should move to India? hmmm.
I had brown rice bowl special with two subji's (curries), and a papadam, and it was delicous. It was so spicy that i actually felt like i was in india again, could have used some Raitia but i didn't see it on the menu anywhere so i sucked it up, it's good for me right? I liked having the option of brown or basmati rice as well.
Of course i couldn't leave withough a dessert, which is quite overwhelming because of the huge selection. I got the double chocolate macaroon, which had no chocolate and was very cocunuty ($2.50), and the ginger brownie ($4) which melts in your mouth and isn't over powered with ginger but just perfect.
If i lived on the drive this place would be a problem because my bills came to $16 (2 desserts though), so it ain't no cheap eats.
I poked my head into the grocery section and bought a couple of sale items that would fit into my bicycle bag, and will come back for a whole package of bliss balls since they offer the most bang for your buck at 6 balls fo $9. It was funny though the girl working the till had her back to me and the Indian owner watching dutifully over her staff hissed at her to get her attention which made us both laugh because it was ridiculous, but oh such a stereotypical indian thing which some people may take the wrong way here. -
Review from Chelsea S.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2009
Pros:
Tons of options, some inventive menu items, good quality, good pricing.
Cons:
The service is okay, not much for ambiance, food sometimes takes awhile (except the subjis or the samosas!) - but anything made "fresh" including smoothies, wraps, veggie burger, etc.
As others have said, this is *the* best place for samosas. I like mine with the green (jalepeno?) sauce. -
Review from Dani B.
5/15/2009
The deli is a vegetarian or vegan's dream, but don't eat or order here if you are in a rush the staff takes their time (to say the least). Nevertheless, the selection is amazing. The savory side has a wide mostly Indian inspired food that is amazing, it's hard to choose what to get. The sweet side (the bakery) is amazing, and I don't know what they put in their vegan naniamo bars but they melt in your mouth and scream delicious!
If you have any vegetarian or vegan friends (or are one yourself) you must check this place out.
There is also a natural food store connected and sometimes they have great deals so check it out while you digest your food. -
Review from c w.
Burnaby, BC
3/22/2010
I reallly like this restaurant - and this is where we go when we want a really good salad.... we get the "california sald" with their sunshine dressing and tofu cheese...
Sometimes the service is slow but most of the time it's not too bad... good vegan, vegetarian food.... great smoothies and awesome deserts - with some raw too....
I highly recommend it.... -
Review from Megan S.
7/10/2009
It smells healthy in here. Not sure what that is exactly...
Recently I went in for the first time. It was after a yoga class, I was feeling a bit drained, and I wanted juice. They have some fresh squeezed varieties- most with carrot, which I wasn't feeling that day. So I got the apple juice (not fresh squeezed). It wasn't really to my liking- darker and heavier than I prefer. I don't fault them for this though- because I rarely want apple juice and when I do I'm quite picky.
The reason I'm writing about this place, as others have mentioned, is it's a jewel for finding things for my vegan friends. How sad is it when everyone's eating cake in front of a vegan and all they have is a rice cracker. Now I try to be prepared by having a sweet vegan treat especially for them. (Andi, just wait until tomorrow, I'll have something special for you!) -
Review from Cathy S.
1/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Like Elaine Benes I love me a big salad and when you combine it with Sweet Cherubim's Tofu Dill Garlic dressing it becomes truly addictive. Based on the sheer volume of people I witnessed ordering the California salad while I waited for my order, I know I am not the only fan. What do you have to put up with to get this crack cocaine of a salad? Ambivalent cashiers, slow service and slightly scuzzy tables. The salad will always win.
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Review from Liv F.
West Vancouver, BC
8/17/2011
I'd definitely go here again. Lots of affordable, delicious and healthy options. And the samosas.... I might go there again before I leave Vancouver, just for a samosa.
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Review from Karen R.
We stopped in late last night and stocked up on ginger and anise cookies, pakoras, fried chili tofu wedges and a veggie roll. Everything tastes so yummy you barely even realize it's vegan/vegetarian. Now that's what I'm talking about!
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Review from Vancity Girl M.
Vancouver, BC
8/28/2010
Tried the baked feta & spinach samosa - it rocked my world. So I returned for a muffin - it was good, not as good as the samosa though and a little "heavy". I will definitely return to try more.
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Review from Kristine B.
Vancouver, BC
10/12/2010
Yesterday we stopped by to try Sweet Cherubim's food , having just enjoyed their samosas in the past. We had a Green Zebra coupon for a free bliss ball or raw bar with the purchase of an entree, and were excited to have a light lunch before the family Thanksgiving onslaught, and to try a vegan pastry that we hadn't tried before. We had a lot of time to check out the nicely illustrated blackboard menu, and look at the hot plates of various types of vegetarian subji (curries). We chose some, and ordered a curry and a side of rice.
Trouble was that the girl at the counter scowled and scowled at our Green Zebra coupon and asked if we would order the Entree dinner instead, including a soup or salad and bread as well as the rice. It was twice-as-large and almost twice as costly at $12.95. The reason for her attempt to upsell or deny us was unclear - the coupon's wording is plain "entree" and there is a corresponding $5.95-$7:95 entree a-la-carte category on the menu, as well as bread and rice sold separately. Several of the other counter girls said things like "oh, are you going to really call him?" and they all seemed rather stressed by the entire coupon experience. She called the manager, who insisted on speaking to her in some south asian language without explaining to her or us why the coupon's wording wasn't acceptable, before leaving. She then reiterated that we could not use the coupon. It was a very frustrating experience. I got the strong feeling that Sweet Cherubim is trying to wiggle away from honoring the use of their Green Zebra coupon.
We ate the curry we'd paid for, and went off to complete our Thanksgiving grocery shopping. It was just the right amount, and priced comparably to other restaurants. The rice was a little slimy, but we disagreed about whether it was fresh. An hour or two later, we both wondered about the lingering salty aftertaste that reminded us of bouillon cubes or MSG added. My lactose-intolerant husband was leery of the chickpeas because he felt they tasted very buttery and not vegan as expected.
All in all, I'd rather just stick to their clearly vegan options that I've had before (good chocolate cake and samosas), and steer clear of the not- especially fresh or possibly from scratch hot counter, the terrorized staff, the slippery manager, and the iffy way of handling coupons. If I want a nice Indian meal, I'll stick to Red Fort, Nirvana, and clove where the staff are confident about what is in the obviously fresh food and can handle the odd diner with a coupon graciously. The price is nearly the same per person, and the ambiance much nicer. Sweet C should stick to what it does best... Baking. -
Review from Pookie B.
Vancouver, BC
4/13/2011
Definitely the best vegetarian restaurant I've been to in Vancouver. Quality of the produce is outstanding and it's very reasonably priced.
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Review from J G.
Vancouver, BC
8/27/2008
The store part of Sweet Cherubim offers up organic and natural foods and products, and the bakery/café serves vegan and vegetarian fare. It's a great idea, but the service tends to leave something to be desired. If you're just out shopping for organic food and other earth-friendly type products, you'll find what you're looking for here, and the prices are good. This place is a Commercial Drive staple, but a bit of attention to friendlier service might be in order.
