Caffe Vita

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2909 Ne Alberta St
Portland, OR 97211

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(503) 954-2171
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Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Caffe Vita - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 32 )
( 22 )
( 8 )
( 14 )
( 13 )

Best

Original, healthy, and very good food. They do have a nice kids menu. The server was kid friendly and engaged my toddler. Also provide crayons, books, and toys. The clean bath...

Worst

Clearly, more folks need to open vegetarian restaurants in this town, 'cause the fact that this place is crowded feels like the result of a lack of options. Firstly, what kind of...

What Happened to the Vita? 3/8/2006

After my latest visit this week, I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. I heard a rumor that the ownership changed hands- maybe this is why the quality took a downswing? Anyway, our food was not great, to put it nicely. I got the caesar with grilled salmon, and it tasted very off, not fresh at all, like it had been frozen and thawed more than once. And last time I was here, one waiter was serving and bussing a full house at peak brunch time! I felt really bad for him, he was keeping it together pretty well too. I have witnessed the quality of service and food go way down, and I think I'll start eating out elsewhere. It's a shame, I used to really like the Vita, and bring my out of town friends there, but no longer, until I hear they have improved.... more
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Nothing special, but good for the vegetarian 3/6/2006

Not being a vegetarian myself (but married to one), I found the food to be honestly a bit bland. However, the veg entrees and sandwiches are diverse and apparently quite tasty to one with a bit less of a carnivore's palette. And the decor of the cafe itself was quite engaging. more
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service getting worse; food hit n miss 2/20/2006

Been going to the Vita since it opened. I've always loved the food, but lately the food has taken a downswing. Staff is always hit and miss but since the one good waiter left, it's just getting worse. i was served cold food today. It sat on the counter for over five minutes, while my server took checks, made our smoothies at the last minute and waved to friends. My potatoes managed to be mushy and burnt, gross. I'm going to take a break from this place and try again in awhile in hopes things change. Pros: prices, vege options Cons: poor service more
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Service Going Bad? Good Vegetarian Options 2/5/2006

I am updating my review because lately the service has been really not up to par. Also my favorite dish Tofurky scramble is down the drain and is much more expensive now. \r This place has some really great dishes like tofurky scramble, macaroni and cheese(less). Some dishes are not as good however. The deserts are great.\r \r The service to be honest is really bad with attitude. Some servers are much nicer than others.\r \r Still a great place for breakfast and dinner. Pros: Vegetarian Options Cons: Service, More expensive now more
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I LOVE this place 1/23/2006

I've never had problems with the service here. Sure they're not overly friendly, but I don't care for overly attentive service. Some friends and I went there for my birthday on Monday, January 16, (my FIRST choice) and had no problems getting seats for 7, thanks to one friend who did get there early. Their tempeh fried steak with potatoes and almond gravy is one of my favorite vegetarian comfort foods ever and their tofu ""fish"" and chips are absolutely scrumptious, even if there IS a bit too much dill (a spice I LOVE) in the tartar sauce. The wine is reasonable priced, but I am disappointed they don't carry PBR. I wish they had a full bar. If you're into delicious vegetarian comfort food at a VERY good price/generous portions and you don't need tons of attention from the staff (like me) then this is a place for you. Pros: food Cons: not next to my apt. more
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expect bad service 1/14/2006

i went saturday night without high expectations. waitress was not that friendly, but seemed to be on top of it. then the rest of our party showed up. (we were there to celebrate a birthday, 8 for dinner and told the waitress more might come.) i understand how frustrating it is to deal with large groups: people change their minds, switch seats, come and go... but deal with it! the clincher was when we got the bill- it said there was a gratuity added onto it because we were a large party. fine, makes it easier for us. so we paid up. then our waitress came over and told us that we hadn't included a tip! huh, mandatory gratuity that wasn't added onto the bill although it said it was included? it was all very confusing. had to break out the wallets again. it just made for a sour experience. Pros: location, wide menu selection, inexpensive Cons: service, service, service more
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Turn of to becoming a vegan 1/12/2006

Maybe I haven't eaten the right dishes but everything here has been a total turn off. Before I became a vegan this place made me feel down about moving in that direction. It was not until I started cooking at home that I realized that being a vegan didnt' mean you had to eat bland undercooked tempeh or everything sprinkled with nutritional yeast The only good thing I have tried there was the dessert and that was made by piece of cake. Someone who knows how to cook vegan needs to open a place It would I am sure be packed. As far as the service, I've had bad and I've had good. I just go with the flow... Pros: atmosphere Cons: food more
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The quality of your service will depend on... 12/12/2005

if someone is having a bad day or not. The food is great and amazing! The desserts are the peace bomb. Love everything but the service. more
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Hipper than thou. 11/25/2005

I want to like this place. The food's good, the herbal tea is great, it's right in my neighborhood... and, well, the service sucks. Get another waitress already. We went in for lunch and they had one surly server for the entire dining room and bar. I even saw her mouthing obscenities behind one customer's back. The staff is too busy, and they aren't sweet and nice to balance things out. They do have big portions (a breakfast burrito is enough for three meals) and fresh produce. But it comes with a big side of attitude. Pros: Good food, tea Cons: service, cold, bathroom more
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Vita is good for food, good for atmosphere! 11/13/2005

I feel like I have to speak up hear! I have been going to Vita cafe for over 2 years now - going as much as 4 or 5 times a month for the past year - and I have NEVER had a bad service experience! The staff always takes orders politely, always checks to make sure if everyone's doing ok, etc. If you go on a weekend, be prepared to wait for a table! bring a book! It gets crowded and it's one of those cozy places that's easy to talk in, so groups tend to stay and hang out for a while. Also, be prepared to wait 20 to 30 minutes for your food - it's made from scratch, mostly local and organic ingredients! My friends and I can't stay away from Vita (I live down the street) and niether will you once you try it! Pros: inexpensive food, laid back, delicious food Cons: long wait on weekends more
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Vita Crappé 11/5/2005

What a disaster. The food was unimpressive; we got a tempeh chicken-fried steak that was crispy yet smothered in a pallid gravy and a Greek salad with tomatoes that had the consistency of gumballs. What was worse was the indifferent to outright rude service we received. I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like to be publicly scolded for leaving a 15% tip when I should have left an 18% one, when all that had happened was I'd made a simple arithmetic error. It completely destroyed our party's good spirits, and any chance that we'd ever be coming back again, even though it's a block from where we live. Hipsters, get off my street! Pros: Decent prices Cons: Rude servers, Poorly cooked food more
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Great food, decent service, weird stuff 6/14/2005

I love the food here. That being said, 4 out of 5 times I have gone, my favorite dish has been unavailable. Apparently, some of these dishes take 2-3 hours to prepare and they don't start making new food until the old stuff is gone. Usually they tell you this when you order, but the last time I went, they took until I'd been waiting for my food for an HOUR before letting me know. Then it only took 5 minutes for my new order of something different. I don't think I'll be going back any more. Pros: good food, nice ambience Cons: LOUD MUSIC, poor service more
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Yummy food, slooow service 6/2/2005

I agree with the others. I go there pretty frequently and the food is yummy, healthy and veggy friendly. BUT the service is always so poor. Last week I went for lunch and there was one server there for the whole place, inside and outside. I asked 3 times for a menu before going to inside and helping myself to one. The food was delicious though, especially the corn cakes! more
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good food, bad service 5/17/2005

I'm going to have to agree with those who felt the servers were snooty and indifferent. I liked the ambiance, and the food was great, but I am never going back here. The waiter made me so uncomfortable with his ""cooler than thou"" attitude that I really couldn't enjoy the experience. Cons: indifferent waiters more
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I love Vita Cafe!! 3/13/2005

I've been there several times and wish I could get there more often. A few years ago I took my mom there for mother's day and she enjoyed it! I tell myself to get something new each time, but I always end up getting the delicious Mexican corn cakes with a side of vegan cheese. Would be great to go with a lot of people so I could sample a little bit of everything. Don't forget to grab a slice of tasty vegan cake on your way out. Just went there on 3-12-05 and enjoyed the yummy sweet potato enchilada pie with a side of rice and beans. It was my first time there for dinner. They had a seasonal menu for winter. It was busy in there as usual. It would be nice if the music wasn't as loud. Pros: great vegan food, neat neighborhood, inexpensive Cons: crowded, loud, wait to get table more
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The Service Bites 1/13/2005

I've frequented this cafe several times, and it's always the same... the wait staff seem to convey the attitude of being way too cool to actually provide service! I was embarrassed the last time I brought my friends from out of town! The one item I always order, tempeh ruben, that used to be crispy and yummy was a soggy blob. If the wait staff had been an ounce less cool, they would have asked how the food was, but... It's cheap food, but good luck. Pros: cheap, funky Cons: , inconsistent food more
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Veggie comfort food 12/28/2004

All the comfort foods but as veggie/vegan options. Portions are huge so come hungry, share or plan to take some home. Has meat options for the mixed group. Pros: diverse menu, local foods, casual Cons: , late open on weekdays more
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Great Kids' Deal! 7/15/2004

Even though City Search said this was not a good place to bring kids, I took my 2-year-old daughter there. I was THRILLED to find out that from 5-7 p.m. everything on the kids' menu is $1!! A real bargain, as portions were big. Our food was very tasty, the service fast and attentive, and the setting nice and low key. With that kids' deal, we are going to go back often. Pros: Diverse menu, Deal on Kids' Menu, Inexpensive more
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Don't bother 3/26/2003

Clearly, more folks need to open vegetarian restaurants in this town, 'cause the fact that this place is crowded feels like the result of a lack of options. Firstly, what kind of veggie restaurant serves beef?? Secondly, the waitstaff sucks. They ignore customers and don't even know their own menu. Twice we went, with the same question about an entree, and twice got the same response: ""ya know, I don't really know..."" (or care, and can't be bothered to go find out). Great, thanks. With so many unemployed right now, is it really that hard to find good waitstaff? They have an extensive menu but the food's mediocre. I'm disheartened that a ""vegetarian"" place, especially one with vegan options, deserves a bad review... but this one does. Pros: many veggie options Cons: mediocre food, lame waitstaff more
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Breakfast is good here 1/4/2003

I go for the breakfast food here. The herb and onion biscuits with almond gravy are so yummy, as well as the tofu scramble with raisins and red potatoes. That's what I get everytime. Once I tried an item from the asian menu, curry rice and tofu I think, and it was very bland and untasty. I guess it just depends on what you order. I only go during the week because it's so damn busy on the weekends. Pros: yummy breakfast, vegetarian galore, vegan desserts Cons: not yummy asian, needs more seating, slow to get food more
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Menu for Caffe Vita


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Editorial

  • Vita Cafe is located in Portlands popular Alberta neighborhood, and this family-friendly cafe offers an unbeatable special for the kids....

  • 9/23/2012 Provided by KidScore
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Sunday From 11:00 AM To 10:00 PM
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
  • Neighborhoods: Concordia, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods
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