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Café Gratitude
Categories: Restaurants Vegetarian Restaurants Live/Raw Food Restaurants Vegan Vegetarian, Live/Raw Food, Vegan [Edit]
1730 Shattuck AveBerkeley, CA 94701
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
(415) 824-4652
- 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-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
582 reviews for Café Gratitude
Review Highlights
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"For dessert we had the key lime pie a la mode AMAZING." In 26 reviews -
"my favourites must be: yo soy mucho (y que." In 7 reviews -
"It was one of the best desserts I've ever had." In 81 reviews
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- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
582 reviews in English
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Review from Angie M.
Berkeley, CA
5/8/2012
I am elated. I am cool.
I was celebrating freedom from Bio.
K got the Polenta (I AM WARM-HEARTED) and loved it.
...you know, while stealing all of my deliciousness.
Try their desserts, too! I can't find them on the menu online, but every birthday is celebrated with a slice of raw chocolatey goodness from here as well as $100 worth of cakes from my usual bakery. -
Review from Michael S.
San Francisco, CA
5/8/2012
This is an essential mini-chain for the likes of me who love food but don't eat meat, fish, chicken, etc.
So I've been to the Gratitude in San Rafael as well as to this one, and the Gourmet Ghetto location is the best. Love the ambiance, with the fireplace going, the exposed brick, couches - it's very much a loungy scene, rather than an eat-n-get-out, table turnover set up. Love the food, since I can eat anything on the menu. Great salad dressings, great polenta dish, great shakes and smoothies and juices.
The only problem I have with this location is the attentive person working there appears to be an owner-type lady, while the others seem to drift in an aimless fog. Hey, I know we're all about the feel-good aspect of eating animal-free, and this is Berkeley and all, but sometimes we still need to conduct business. And by that I mean order, eat, pay, leave, without feeling like we need a trumpet blast to gain and then re-gain the notice of the staff. Oh, the other thing is that, though it's a blessing that they even have wi fi in an establishment like this, it usually doesn't work.
But I digress. I love this place, love the neighborhood, love it all! -
Review from Nicki H.
Sacramento, CA
5/6/2012
I am Graceful: so simple, sO tasty.
I am Luscious: mega tasty. Not a regular milkshake for there is no ice cream in it, but it's really really smooth and has fig chunks in it!
I am Bright: good kombucha, but I like additional favors in mine & I don't recall that being an option. No need to lose a star over it though.
Service: super nice people, and patient with our table full if non-vegans --- we didn't know to do with ourselves for the most part once given the menu even though we knew where we were going to dine. -
Review from Marcia D.
Concord, CA
Updated - 5/21/2012
I still love the food here but I was disappointed to find out last week that they no longer make the tamales and tacos like they used to, bummer! Can't you guys PLEASE bring those back???????? I can't drive into San Francisco to Gracias Madre for those.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/24/2011
I LOVE this place. Always great food, yummy desserts and a fun and pleasant atmosphere.
It is a… Read more »
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Review from Y C.
Berkeley, CA
5/21/2012
Food is amazing. Good veggie/grain portions. Flavors are great and distinct. I am luscious smoothie is very tasty. I am terrific kelp noodles are crunchy with is a good surprise. I am fortified had a nice lemony flavor over the veggies. I got the half brown rice and half quinoa mix. noise level was fairly quiet. this is the kind of food that you can eat regularly as it is actually pretty good for you
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Review from Nate B.
Oakland, CA
4/23/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Let me just start out by saying that I love: Scotch, Steaks, Hamburgers, Tacos and anything with Pork...
That being said, my girlfriend was on a cleanse which meant she couldn't have meat, bread or anything yummy. (Which meant that in solidarity, I also couldn't have anything yummy)
She said we were going to try out this place and I kinda didn't know what to expect... Then this server comes over and greets us with a question of the day and THE MOST HELPFUL AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE FOR NEWBIES I HAVE EVER SEEN. WE LOVED HIM!
THE FOOD WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!
I ordered the tacos and the carrot and ginger soup with an organic beer = WINNING EPIC WIN!
I have also tried the pizza which was BLECK YUCKY but the key lime pie was yummy.
No worries meat lovers, try the tacos.. they're nom nom. -
Review from Donna R.
Berkeley, CA
5/21/2012
I love this place, and I hope it never closes down. When I first walked in, I thought it was a little over the top, but I've been ingratiated (ie, grateful!) for their food, their friendliness, their attitude. I became a permanent fan when I found out about their Grateful Bowl--available for whatever you can afford--and have tried to emulate that generosity in my life. And, the pies are out of this world.
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Review from Joe R.
El Cerrito, CA
4/6/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I've been here 3 times and its just okay.
The staff is nice and the vibe is very hippie vegan Berkeley, which is fine.
However, I don't like the setup of tables....twice I've been in a party of 4 and we sat at the large circular table, where you have to scream to talk to anyone you're sitting with. The other time there were 3 of us and we were at a picnic style table, and they said if a 2-top comes in, we might have to share the table. Luckily that didn't happen, we would have been completely squished with 3 people on one side.
The food is good, but pretty overpriced for what it is. If anything, I would think vegan food would be cheaper than a non-vegan restaurant. Portions are okay, I'm always satisfied, but I always feel like I'm getting ripped off when I get the bill and it's like "This cost that?!" -
Review from James C.
5/3/2012
What is there not to love about this place? The servers are chill, the atmosphere is clean, nice, and friendly. The food is always amazing. I guess I did not give it 5 stars because it just doesn't feel perfect, but the imperfection just makes it that much worth going there over and over again. This is one of my most visited place in Berkeley, highly recommending the I am grateful bowl for lunch, I am awesome is also great for lunch also. Try their drinks, never a disappointment. This is also a great place to study, and relax, the people and customers there are very chill. Everybody should at least go there once (if not 3 times) before leaving Berkeley.
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Review from Jen Z.
3/22/2012
I wanted to like it, I really did. Okay, I got over ordering in the off style "I am luscious, I am trusting" but the service was just OFF on the day that I went in.
No one bothered to greet us for about 15 minutes. We were the only ones standing there and a woman was at the register totally ignoring us. There were a few open tables outside, not that we were ever offered to sit at them. Finally, we were seated and our orders were taken. The food was good and I love the idea of the place -- they grow a lot of their own ingredients, all the workers are co-owners, the food is organic and vegan, but it just wasn't worth the wait or service. Bummer!!! -
Review from Debra T.
3/16/2012 4 photos
Food is actually pretty good but I have to give only three stars because I sort of felt uncomfortable eating here. Their posters/paintings on the walls were pretty creepy and the stacks of cards in the middle of the table also were very weird. I just got such an eerie vibe.
I don't remember when, why or actually how I was recommended this place but I remember wanting to try this place out. It's a healthy, organic, vegan restaurant, which I love because I can be obsessed with healthy foodies. When I found out that all of their Northern California places were going to close soon, I decided to have dinner here while I still had the chance. The customer service here was great, I ordered "I Am Accepting" and the "I Am Luscious" drink. I was actually surprised at how delicious "I Am Accepting" was and the portions were pretty big. Anyway, glad I tried this place out but don't think I'd be coming back here even if it stayed open. -
Review from Jason S.
Concord, CA
4/28/2012
I am vegan so do appreciate real good vegan food when I find it. Was a little scard why so many people ripped on this place on yelp. They could not have been more wrong. People were very freindly. Food was amazing! I am just getting into the raw thing and I could easily eat only raw if it was this good everyday. Will eagerly return soon.
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Review from Sal G.
East Bay, CA
Updated - 2/1/2012
Went back here recently, only because I was trying to overcome being sick, and will not debate the healing effects of organic vegan food. Have to say - my original review still stands. This place really sucks, and for multiple reasons.
They serve food that when you get down to it, can be pretty tasty, but it's not worth the massive hassle involved in order to get it in to your mouth. I had to wait almost ten minutes at the register before getting my to-go order taken, despite there being nobody in front of me. The chick behind the bar was tending to making some smoothie or something, and then some other crap, so it was apparent that they need a proper manager, and someone whose job it is to take orders, and people's money. She could have stopped her stupidness and taken my order, so it was in the pipeline, and she did not. Gee thanks.
There was a party of 4 or 5 behind me, and after I ordered, they waited another TEN MINUTES to then be told it would be another 10-15 minute wait longer to get seated. The place wasn't even that crowded. I then waited (get this): 30 minutes. For a TO-GO order? You aren't cooking the damn brown rice from scratch. My meal was just brown rice with RAW vegetables and a sauce, with a few scoops of other, already prepared items. My point? Everything was already cooked or not cooked, and merely had to be thrown in a box. THIRTY MINUTES (not exaggerated, as I timed it). Jesus Christ, man.
And here is my other BIG complaint (well actually there are two). How in God's name do you have a place that is claiming to be THE quintessential health food restaurant, yet you no longer serve CARROT JUICE? Don't get me wrong - I'm glad I had to go the OG juice bar downtown for that, since when this place used to serve it, it was....get ready....SEVEN DOLLARS for a carrot juice. Yeah, yeah - don't tell me it's because it's organic, cause the organic carrot juice downtown cost me under 5 bucks. So yes, they are just ripping off the poor hippies that can't even afford to eat here.
And that is my second point. You are serving hippy chow. But the only people who can afford ANYTHING out of this place, have to be independently wealthy retirees, or trust fund hippies. The market for this food is the younger demographic, but I don't think any of the younger Berkeley kids can afford this stuff, unless they save up for it. And don't get me started on all the other wares they sell there, as just about every jar of nut butter or exotic fruit nectar was $30. Unreal. Yeah there is a market for this crap, but unfortunately, it's ends up not being who really loves to eat this way, since those vegetarians can't afford it.
But my main complaint is: the place is run by spaced-out hippy types that ignore customers, and take WAY too long on to-go orders. They appear to be perpetually short-staffed, which is mind-blowing, since they charge so much for their food, they can certainly afford a hostess/order-taker. And I had a friend who told me the same thing when I related this story to her, that the damn smoothies are getting in the way of EVERYTHING, as a woman took her order, and when my friend reached down to pay for it, the chick was back at the smoothie station, leaving my friend waiting to pay, and for that matter, waiting for the order to actually get placed and hit the kitchen. Question for the owners: IS THIS HOW YOU WANT TO RUN A BUSINESS? Don't waste time asking me the damn question of the day. TAKE MY ORDER AND GET ME MY FOOD!
Clearly I will not be going back here ever again, with the plethora of healthy, vegetarian fare around the city, and once again, I will be spreading the word that this place is NOT WORTH YOUR PATRONAGE.
How ya like that.....BRAH?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/28/2008
A pompous, self-aggrandizing, holier-than-thou, vegan eatery for people who need to hear repeated… Read more »
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Review from Tracy N.
Oakland, CA
2/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I have been here a couple of times and each time it has been a great experience. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the servers are always willing to talk you through the whole menu. The last time I went I was with a friend who had a food allergy and the server kindly checked on several menu items for her.
The food itself is extremely tasty and fresh. I have always been told to try the deserts and although I always find myself full after their meals, I do attempt splitting them with some one...and it is worth every bite! -
Review from Pimms H.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/4/2012
My companions wanted to come here so I reluctantly agreed, knowing that a good experience was not to be expected.
Less crowded this time and more of a 'down' feel in the air.
I was stupid enough to order the 'miso' soup for the reason that the menu described it as hot as opposed to all of the other dishes that are luke warm. It was a cold day and I wanted something hot damn it!
What came out didn't resemble miso soup at all. It was luke warm and tasted like blended grass juice and had raw mushrooms and watercress floating in it. It was not salty at all. Ugh I couldn't eat it and I'm not picky at all. I was completely disgusted by it.
So then I ordered the smoothie with beets, kale, celery and ginger. Sorry I can't remember the names of these items, nor would I like to wasted brain space on them. The drink was ok, sort of like if you juiced these vegetables in a juicer and then diluted them with H2O. And such a concoction is $8. And the juice isn't squeezed when you order, it's pre-made earlier (how long?) sitting in a jug. That fact doesn't make it come to your table any faster, you wait and wait, then you eye it sitting on the bar for a good 10 mins. while your server has walked passed it several times.
Our server can only be described as a 'jerk' lol, sorry. Like usual we had to wait sooo long to order, then get the 'food' and then he even ignored us waving at him for the check. ugh.
I would never come here on my own volition but if I have with friends I my strategy is to stick to the desserts and drinks.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/17/2011
It shouldn't take 30 min to get assembly line food.
It wouldn't be difficult to make a bowl of brown… Read more »
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Review from Tammy T.
1/30/2012 2 photos
It took me a few years before I dared venture into this unique vegan and sometimes raw restaurant. To be honest, I was very hesitant to even eat here since cooking limitations often imply a lower probability of tastiness. Nonetheless, I ended up going with a friend who was also a first-timer. The service is sort of bizarre given the dish names and the whole "You are ____" thing but the waiters are friendly.
We both shared the "I am Fulfilled" with fig balsamic dressing and "I am Transformed". To my surprise, I absolutely loved the food! "I am Fulfilled" reminded me of a kitchen sink salad. It was full of ingredients that worked--crunchy from the nuts and creamy from the avocado--and I didn't miss the my cheese for even a second (the "Brazil Nut Parmesan" made up for it). The dressing was a lovely balance of sweet and acid. I wasn't brave enough to venture for the raw and instead went with "I am Transformed" which were basically tacos. I can't speak to any authenticity whatsoever (hey there's cashew nacho cheese) but it was delicious. Both dishes were over $10 and therefore rather pricey but for a meal that made me forget the meat, I'd say it was worth it. -
Review from rebecca t.
Durham, NC
1/6/2012
+ love this place. I know it's best known for its raw food but I have only enjoyed the cooked vegan stuff and I have loved my last two visits.
+ for all those meat eaters out there, it's filling even though it doesn't have animal based protein that they crave.
+ there's a variety of flavors - though I personally found the garlic tahini to be too tart and heavy. the thai almond in the I am fortified is pretty yummy.
+/- the feel good msgs and games on the table are a little hokey but still good food for thought.
+/- prices may be a little higher but so worth it. -
Review from Ana D.
Hayward, CA
Updated - 4/13/2012
In a nut shell: This place used to be good. Now, the food is poor and the staff is not customer oriented. They have less raw options and in general they are NOT tasty anymore.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/9/2010
I love the food because it is consistently good. I also love the staff because they are always… Read more »
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Review from DAVET M.
Vallejo, CA
4/6/2012 3 Check-ins Here
A great place to take my rawist son on a lunch date
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Review from Ss S.
San Jose, CA
1/23/2012
I came here open to trying vegan food. Here's my side out of millions of other opinions:
"I AM TRUSTING" - (Never will I trust vegan tamal again!) corn tamal made with masa and butternut squash w/ salsa. It was aaaaa-ite! Nothing to rant & rave about. Bland taste and if I wanted tamales, I should have just went to an authentic Mexican restaurant that served awesome tamales and real salsa. RATE: C-
"I AM EXTRAORDINARY" - For $11.50 I can make 5 of these myself. Tiny sandwich and little bit of greens on the side. To top it off, it tasted bland. Still hungry! RATE: D+
"I AM HAPPY" - The hummus was tasty. RATE: B+
"I AM FORTIFIED" - Sauteed veggies, quinoa with sesame-giner. Pretty good and was the portion was good enough for one person to be happily full after. RATE: B+
"I AM WARM-HEARTED" - Grilled polenta with spinach and mushroom ragu topped w/ cashew ricotta and Brazil nut Parmesan. Very tasty bcuz it's too salty, but it was tasty (that's what matters when you go out to eat, right?). RATE: B+
Bison IPA - their darkest beer is soooo good! I drank it like it was a chocolate milkshake! Literally tasted like chocolate beer. YUM!
We had dessert after which was not worth it. $16 or so for a small slice of coconut chocolate cake. It was tasty, but not worth the $16. RATE: C-. -
Review from Miranda M.
Oakland, CA
4/1/2012
Everything on the menu is amazing, and restaurants like that are hard to find. Come on Sunday nights and play the game! So much fun.
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Review from Christine L.
Berkeley, CA
12/24/2011
Yes, for the average person, Cafe Gratitude is over the top, but I always feel great and super healthy after eating here.
My favorites:
I am trusting (tamal w/ butternut squash)
I am fortified (quinoa bowl and i get it with tahini garlic)
I am whole (another quinoa bowl with more Asian flavor)
I am warm-hearted (polenta)
The only thing I wouldn't order is "I am vibrant"- it's just a plate of greens that is not worth the $7.50.
The dessert is also pretty good although I still have yet to try the popular "I am bliss"-- it is always sold out by the time I get there. The ice cream is so-so, but the chocolate coconut cream pie and key lime are delish. -
Review from Scott S.
11/10/2011
I don't want to be an ingrate, but my dining experience at Cafe Gratitude didn't leave me feeling very grateful for eating there, more wishing I hadn't. At least I didn't have to pay for my meal, a friend did and for that I am grateful.
While I applaud the concept of being grateful and aware of ones blessings, Cafe Gratitude comes across as sanctimonious with the oversized paintings with scenes like "Who would spirit turn away?". When I saw on the bottom of the plate "What are you grateful for?" on my friend's dish, that was over the top.
Their dishes begin with "I am" ....warm hearted, or some other expression. As other noted, the food is vegan. I've had delicious vegan food, but this was so-so. My "I am warm hearted" was three pieces of fried polenta with a puttanesca sauce and "Parmesan" cheese. Hello, its a vegan restaurant! Why would you have fake food items for the very items you eschew eating like Parmesan cheese or bacon! I remembered a key ingredient of Puttanesca sauce are anchovies which explained why it didn't taste like Puttanesca, but a spicy tomato sauce.
The service was OK, not great. I might bring vegan friends here, but only if I couldn't find another place that served better vegan food without the attitude. -
Review from Zarah G.
Oakland, CA
2/19/2012 5 Check-ins Here
The food is so good and i hate every single person there.
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Review from Lauren P.
Pleasanton, CA
12/31/2011
I first tasted Cafe Gratitude dishes almost 2.5 years ago when the restaurant catered my eighteenth birthday party. Back then, it was almost all raw food, which was not something I was used to. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed all of the food because, as my dad says, I eat some "weird-ass food." My friends and family had mixed reactions to the dishes: those with more adventurous palates were impressed and those who prefer little seasoning and variety other than ketchup and mustard were less enthused. The biggest hits were the "Elated" enchiladas and the tasty "Giving" kale salad. I'm pretty sure I was the only fan of the "Rapture" German Chocolate Cake... but that was fine with me because I put it in the freezer and snacked on it in the following months ;).
The summer I tried Cafe Gratitude I kept going back to CG to pick up seaweed salads, the sunburger, which is no longer on the menu, and most of all their amazing desserts. I loved their tiramisu, "Rapture" layer cake, "Irresistible" chocolate coconut cream pie, "Bliss" chocolate cream pie, "Cool" mint choco chip milk shake, and "Grace" coconut almond milkshake. YUM.
When I left the bay area for college in the fall I stopped eating Cafe Gratitude for a long time, but I went back a few months ago when I was back in the bay area. I was happy to find that the menu was approximately half cooked. I ate the "I am Whole" bowl and found it flavorful and satisfying. The coconut bacon was awesome, especially because I am an extreme coconut lover. The corn tortillas were yummy and so was the broccoli soup.
I give Cafe Gratitude four stars for creativity, nutrition, and complexity of flavor. -
Review from Lia P.
9/10/2011
My first experience here was very uplifting. I actually had no idea it was a vegan spot and since I work close by and it seemed very intriguing I took a friend of mine over to try it out.
I was very pleased with its uniqueness. The menu was something I have never seen and I enjoyed the entertainment of name calling.
For someone who has never had Vegan Or Raw Food I must say it was delicious!
I have not been back since my 1st visit because I think only certain people can appreciate this place. -
Review from Christopher R.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am grateful for Cafe Gratitude! I've taken many of my Omnivore friends here and whether they try a raw dish or a cooked meal, they always love the food and the way they feel afterward!
Now when anyone finds out I'm vegan, they always recommend Cafe Gratitude. This kinda turned me off from the place b/c I doubted that anywhere can live up to the kind of hype that CG gets. Well, believe the hype, and check it out.
I like this location better than the one in SF simply because there's more room and sometimes live music.
Raw Enchilada, "BLT," Tamal, and Raw Pizza are all incredible!
I highly recommend dessert too. Macaroons are tasty, and the layer cakes are quite amazing. My fave is the strawberry layer cake but keep in mind it's seasonal.Listed in: Best Vegan Spots in the Bay…
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Review from JC L.
Berkeley, CA
11/9/2011
I loveCafe Gratitude! It is one of the few restaurants that I eat at. The desserts are amazing, albeit high in fat. The shakes are amazing! The Gratitude Bowl is awesome. (It's a donation-based bowl of rice & beans & kale with their delicious garlic-tahini sauce.) I love how friendly the servers are here, unlike another nearby vegan restaurant where the servers are in such bad moods that the customer often feel like they did something wrong. :)
I love Cafe G. It would be nice if they offered more low fat options, more affordable fresh juices, more filling raw options, and more affordable food in general. (I know organic, raw ingredients can be pricey and they did lower their prices recently, so I am not sure what is possible as far as lowering prices.)
It would also be amazing to see more gluten-free, vegan breads. I wonder if Cafe G may want to take this on. -
Review from Molly M.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been coming to Gratitude for years and I love this place more and more each time I visit. Yes, this may not be for everyone (people who are used to eating dairy laden foods and overly processed high sodium fare) but for a vegetarian who loves wholesome, nutritious food made with the freshest ingredients, it's a steal!!
I've noticed however, they have downsized the menu and made it more appealing to people who are not keen on raw foods and who prefer a little gluten with there meal which is smart I suppose. I recently tried the polenta and I must confess it is just as good, if not better then some Italian Restaurants I've been to.
Yes, the people there can often times be snotty, but for the most part the staff there are very helpful and friendly.
This by far the best vegan/raw place I've been to and I am so happy that we can even get wholesome, nutritious yet fortifying food like this in a restaurant!! Thank you Gratitude!
P.S. You have to try the desserts!!! Omg the best!!!Listed in: Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurants.
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Review from B C.
Alamo, CA
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Okay, so I am not exactly sure what to say about this place. For what it is, they drive it out of the park! The "raw" squash and apple soup was really good! They added some chopped cilantro and I think it really helped the dish! Other than that, while the food tasted super fresh it was really not all that amazing, but then again, I really am not into this type of hippy non-sense. That being said, I have had my fair share of super organic raw food, and as that type of food goes, it was the best I have had. My stomach didn't know how to feel about it later that evening, but it ended up all being just fine! I did leave craving a double cheeseburger though...
The highlight was the soup and a wonder Zinfandel. It was the only one on the menu but it brought tastes that I have never experienced from a wine before.
Because of the knowledgeable staff and appreciation for the quality of the food, this place earns a 5-star in my book. Just be prepared, the dishes have horrible ridiculous names, I was tempted to ask our waitress where she bought her weed because judging by her demeanor it must have been amazing, and you will have to avoid rolling your eyes more than a few times... it's an experience for sure!!! Enjoy! -
Review from John Z.
Dublin, CA
8/6/2011
I have no idea if the raw, healthful, cold, and Gaian food at Cafe Gratitude is any better for me than the food at all of the other restaurants along Shattuck, but I definitely leave a better person every time I depart from CG. The ethos of sharing, gratitude, and acceptance is just so darn inviting. The game that CG features on every table is one that I will probably never have the patience to take time to figure out, but they associated "playing" cards have all of these cool quotes and messages to feast on while you wait for your cold-processed, raw, and live food to be created.
The desserts at CG are probably my favorite thing...in fact, I think that's all I've ever had their. Just enjoy the I am Blissful (cold pressed espresso milkshake) and you will become blissful. Avoid the ice cream sandwich, but savor the chocolate mousse dish. The best part is that you can rationalize that it's good for you while you savor each bite. Hmmm, vegan never tasted so good! -
Review from Drew T.
1/28/2012
Reminds me of my fav veggie place back home (tillie gort's). Great homemade food that is great for your body.
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Review from Kelsey K.
Oakland, CA
2/21/2012
Yummy :) and healthy. I love cafe gratitude. You feel better when you leave. And this location is great with the fireplace, etc. The only reason I took one star off was because the last time we went there the service was not so great...messed up some orders and then the bill too. A little pricey, but worth it.
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Review from Lori M.
Pinole, CA
6/3/2011
Let me enumerate the names that Café Gratitude should go by.... Café Flatulence, Café Un-Gratitude, Café Fart-itude... But Gratitude is not one of them.
We (two adults and a six-year-old) went there for dinner since we had a coupon in our Chinook book, and the deal sounded pretty good: buy one dinner, get the second one free. We were seated promptly, and a woman came to take our orders: my sweetie got the BLT, I got the Mediterranean plate, and our little guy got tacos. We started things off with the potato leek soup, which was great - not too salty, might have needed a little more pepper, but otherwise very good.
Then our dishes arrived.
All three of our dishes were very over-spiced, to the point where we couldn't really enjoy them. The BLT had something which set my mouth on fire; my dish had something equally as spicy; and our six-year-old, usually a lover of spicy foods, complained, and reached for the water as quickly as he could. There was nothing on the menu denoting how spicy these dishes are, and since this did not seem like a restaurant which made things particularly hot (think in terms of Scoville units), we didn't think it would be a problem. But it was.
We mentioned this to our waitress, and a man came over to talk to us about it. However, we could not look at him with any seriousness because he had a very obnoxious septum piercing - about four inches long, either a nail or a bone, I can't say for sure, but there was something discomfiting about it all. It was tough to look at him with that piercing that was screaming, I am a new-age primitive and I WILL be taken seriously... I was reminded of Robin Williams speaking of Prince Albert, saying that the Prince had a museum named after him, a concert hall, and a bolt thru your... well, I digress here, but you get the idea.
But the worst was yet to come.
We were full, even if it wasn't the best meal we'd ever had, and had the leftovers boxed up for us. A couple hours later, the flatulence started. First one of us, then the other, and finally the third would chime in, stinking up the whole house, room by room. It was the most fireworks I've ever had after a meal. We could've started a band. Heck, we could've auditioned for South Park. You get the idea. The farts continued for a good 24 hours after that dinner, and by that point we swore we would never go back.
I have been to similar restaurants in the past, and have found the food to be tasty, and the staff to be polite and helpful. Neither was true in this case.
But if you like facial piercings, and don't mind a bit - or maybe a whole bunch - of extra flatulence with your meal - then Café Gratitude is the place for you. -
Review from Jenny Z.
8/26/2011
If I had the creativity and cooking skills of the chefs at Cafe Gratitude, I could transition from being an vegetarian to vegan. Their menu is extensive with an array of dishes from burgers, pizzas, tacos, enchiladas, sushi etc... I was pleasantly surprised to find that each entree was flavorful. Although Cafe Gratitude is unknown for being raw, vegan, they offer several cooked entrees. The titles of the dishes are quite interesting...like "I am Nourished," "I am Trusting," "I am Extraordinary." I think the atmosphere and ambiance of the restaurant is fun and relaxing. Definitely, I would like to come back to explore the menu. Also, their drinks seem to pretty good too. Milk shakes (Almond/soymilk-based).
I recommend the following for taste and creativity:
1. "I am Trusting" : perfectly steamed house-made corn tamales. The sides were typical...black beans and spicy Mexican coleslaw (which isn't spicy at all).
2. "I am Extraordinary": vegan BLT with vegan bacon. Served with an interesting spicy chipotle aioli sauce
3. "I am Transparent": huge nori-wrapped sushi roll stuffed with almond-sesame pate, sprouts, carrots, beets, more vegetables. Served with a bed of microgreens and tamari/wasabi sauce on the side.
4. "I am Grateful": perfect way to fit in your dietary kale. It's a large bowl of kale, black beans, brown rice with a tahini sauce. This dish is more affordable than others with a suggested donation (yes, you heard right...donation) of $7. The idea is to allow people to enjoy vegan food, affordably
5. Sampler's Platter. this is a good idea to get a little bite of everything on their menu. Although you may have to check with your waiter about its availability.
Overall, Cafe Gratitude provided a new and pleasant perspective on vegan cuisine. I don't think you can go wrong ordering anything off the menu, most entrees looked quite delicious to me. Portions are generally medium-sized. So if you have a large appetite, you may want to ask about the portion size to see if it is enough to fill you. However, I was plenty full after 1/2 of my (medium) entree, vegetables and grains really fill one up quickly! -
Review from Daniel B.
Fremont, CA
2/13/2012
Vegan, Local, Raw, Fresh. Cafe Gratitude is one of the most well known raw food restaurants around. It has a lot to live up to. The Berkeley location does a good job at providing mostly excellent food. Many things on the menu are over-the-top good. Some could use a little help, but mostly they are excellent. But for being a large raw food service establishment, this place fits the bill. The atmosphere is really nice at the Berkeley location. There is a fireplace and two couches next to it. Bring your laptop and stay all day like I do. It is a little vortex here. Come by yourself and you may just meet some awesome people to share the awesome raw food with.
-
Review from Celeste A.
San Francisco, CA
7/6/2011
Oh, Gratitude! The love affair is over. You have become stingy, rude, and generally ungrateful for my money. I may still come back to you out of convenience but it will not be the same, the love has died.
Chief complaints:
No more discounts for Cal students (which I always gave as a tip on my to go order anyway)
If you only give me 3 teryaki almonds per order it is hardly worth mentioning them as an ingredient
No more half orders
Raised prices
General unfriendliness, inefficiency, and ingredient stinginess (almonds, sauce, sprouts, etc.) -
Review from Kimberly K.
San Francisco, CA
5/19/2011
This might be my weirdest dining experience yet. More than weird....frightening even. My parents and I have been vegetarians for the last 21 years and are always looking for new vegetarian/vegan restaurants to try. They came up to visit me at Cal once, and we decided to try Cafe Gratitude. We knew it was raw food, and that was fine. The food was alright. Nothing too memorable since I can't recall anything special about it now, but I remember enjoying it and thinking that it was a cool thing to try. Pretty small portions though, especially for the price. But again, trying raw food was a good experience.
The reason I will probably never ever ever go back is because the waitress was so strange!!! First of all, all of their entrees have names like "I Am Elated" or "I Am Happy" etc etc. So when I ordered, I pointed at the menu and asked for the enchiladas. The waitress then exclaimed in an overly dramatic voice that sometimes had a faux British accent "Oooooooohhhhhh you are ELATED!!!!!!" Wide eyed stares from me and my parents was our response. She proceeded to do the same thing when each of my parents ordered. At some point during the meal my Dad asked for extra sauce for whatever he had ordered. The waitress exclaimed once again, "OOoooooooohhhhhhh you are SAUCY!" More wide eyed stares.
After each strange encounter with her where she would speak SO dramatically with her fake accent, she would go back into the restaurant where a group of people (workers?) were gathered around a table having some sort of bohemian get together. Which was fine because the less we saw of her, the better. We just wanted to finish our food and get out of there. The biggest joke for the rest of my time at Cal among my family was asking someone if they wanted to go to Cafe Gratitude. My siblings weren't even there and they will probably never go just from hearing me and my parents talk about this place. If they want to know how I am after eating here, well I am FREAKED OUT!!!! -
Review from Adlih Z.
Oakland, CA
9/11/2011
I had a very unique experience at CG today. I was feeling an overwhelming funk hit me in the past few days and wanted to do something different. Let me tell you was this the 'different' I needed.
I walked into CG and 3 hours later left with plenty of gratitude!
I struck up a wonderful conversation with 3 (strangers) partons we ended up playing a wonderful boardgame together and shared an amazing meal. Laughter and gratitude abounded.
I left with a stomach full of food and a soul charged with positive vibes. I love Berkeley it's people really do have a special place in my heart.
I had the dish 'I am trusting' followed by some coffee and a slice of the key lime pie. Highly recommend all of it. -
Review from Isabel P.
Alameda, CA
10/15/2011
My "BLT" made with dried coconut for a crispy, vegan NON bacon, was surprisingly delicious. It was drenched in a bit too much mystery sauce but otherwise really good. A pollenta dish was good and a generous serving. The desserts are tasty too. They've added a cooked food menu - used to be all raw foods.
Negative points for total lack of ambience (brick walls, creepy paintings), and super slow (although friendly enough) service.
If you are not in a rush, and want to enjoy tasty vegan food, and don't mind the new age ambience, go for it.
