(212) 472-0970

1307 3rd Ave
New York, NY 10021 40.7715 -73.9592

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Neighborhoods: Upper East Side, Midtown

CANDLECAFE.COM

Price:

$

Last updated 8.07.11

Category:

Restaurants, Certified Green Restaurant(R)

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Family-Friendly Dining, Food Delivery

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

Vegan, Vegetarian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Candle Cafe

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Despite the name, Candle Cafe is clean of wax drippings and chooses to light its warm, woody environs with unobtrusive electric fixtures. The mood is equally bright, thanks to amusing decorative touches, charming servers and a palpable lack of dietary guilt among the patrons. – – The Food – The menu reflects much loving experimentation. It remains grounded, however, thanks to a thorough glossary (for folks who don't know what seitan or macrobiotics are) and an array of straightforward, incidentally vegetarian dishes like the robust ginger-miso stir fry. For…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
Consider BYOB (for a corkage fee of $10)--the healthy and environment-friendly ethos extends to the wine list at cost to quality, especially in the by-the-glass selections.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “Despite the not so hot decor, this place is the place to try if you're thinking of becoming a vegetarian or love interesting vegetarian dishes.”
  2. “With a wonderful atmosphere, polite staff and delicious food this place has everything a veggie diner needs.”
  3. “Though the dining area is fairly small, it wasn't too crowded on an early Sunday evening, the atmosphere was pleasant and the wait-staff prompt about re-filling waters.”
  4. “The service is prompt and courteous, staff is friendly, the decor is contemporary and clean.”
  5. “If the cafe on 75th is busy, they have another location just up the street on 79th, which is huge.”
  6. “Once we were seated, however, I discovered just how warm and welcoming the atmosphere is.”
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. “The portions are generous but you wont leave feeling stuffed, even if you have one of their scrumptious desserts.”
  2. “The tofu club is delicious, the miso soup is just right and the desserts are amazing.”
  3. “They offer anything from an organic wine and beer to delicious deserts all prepared without the slightest animal product even the cream on the banana cake.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “Their food and their juice bar are both good.”
  2. “you feel so good while you're there, the food and wine is organic and fresh and tasty, and the staff is warm and helpful.”
  3. “Always something new to try, the drinks and smoothies are quite good too.”
  4. “They also have great organic wines to choose from.”
  5. “They offer anything from an organic wine and beer to delicious deserts all prepared without the slightest animal product even the cream on the banana cake.”
food quality
88.17000389099121% positive
  1. “The waiters are friendly and the service is prompt, and the food is excellent.”
  2. “Number one rule in the restaurant business, when a customer finds an insect crawling in their food, they should be given a full refund and a sincere apology.”
  3. “We are huge fans of Indian cuisine, and found that everything on the plate was far too dry (barely any gravy), and even worse, BLAND.”
  4. “Their food and their juice bar are both good.”
  5. “Despite the not so hot decor, this place is the place to try if you're thinking of becoming a vegetarian or love interesting vegetarian dishes.”
  6. “They offer anything from an organic wine and beer to delicious deserts all prepared without the slightest animal product even the cream on the banana cake.”
  7. “The seitan dishes are great.”
  8. “am not a vegetarian or a vegan but I just enjoy their creative vegan cuisine.”
  9. “Candle Cafe has a diverse menu and changes seasonally with the fresh ingredients available.”
  10. “Not being a big veggie eater, I decided to try it to see "other types" of food.”
  11. “Try it out, even if you don't think you'd enjoy vegetarian food - you may be sweetly surprised.”
  12. “Food is great and very tasty; although the menu could use some updates.”
  13. “The price is good as organic food is more expensive than conventional food.”
  14. “Cut to me recieving luke warm, mediocre, food 45 min.”
  15. “The tofu club is delicious, the miso soup is just right and the desserts are amazing.”
  16. “had a great 3-bean chili with a slightly sweet blue cornbread and a large grainy salad.”
  17. “you feel so good while you're there, the food and wine is organic and fresh and tasty, and the staff is warm and helpful.”
  18. “My favorite dish is the vegan lasagne.”
  19. “But when it comes to delicious 100% vegetarian food, this is the best restaurant in New York City.”
  20. “You don't need to be vegetarian to enjoy the food here.”
  21. “went to this place first about a month ago and was a little wary because it was all vegatarian, but the food was absolutely amazing.”
  22. “amazing food”
  23. “The food is always flavorful, fresh and nothing short of amazing.”
  24. “Unfortunately, the excellent food is marred by very poor customer service.”
  25. “This was the best veggie food I've ever had.”
  26. “Their specials are usually the best dishes and change quite frequently but are a little on the steep side.”
  27. “asked the woman who took our order on the phone if she had any of her own recommendations, and she assured me that the Indian plate was "really, really delicious.”
  28. “With a wonderful atmosphere, polite staff and delicious food this place has everything a veggie diner needs.”
  29. “I'm not a vegetarian, either, but I try to eat less meat, and I thought the food at Candle Cafe was delish!”
  30. “It has delicious food and is dedicate.”
  31. “Indian food is supposed to have a distinctive, spicy flavor!”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “great vegan options but the service lacks a little”
  2. “There is a menu with plenty of choices that both the carnivorous and the herbivorous can enjoy.”
  3. “Candle Cafe has a diverse menu and changes seasonally with the fresh ingredients available.”
  4. “We like their menu over their more formal dining restaurant up the street "Candle 79.”
  5. “In fact, most of their menu items, especially the creative daily specials, looked mouthwatering.”
  6. “The servers are also really helpful in explaining the menu (like seitan- never heard of it before I went to this place).”
  7. “Food is great and very tasty; although the menu could use some updates.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Still a good place though to stop by after doing the museums on the Upper East Side.”
  2. “But when it comes to delicious 100% vegetarian food, this is the best restaurant in New York City.”
  3. “my favorite restaurant in the city”
  4. “The noise can be a bit much, but overall a great place”
service
73.33000183105469% positive
  1. “you feel so good while you're there, the food and wine is organic and fresh and tasty, and the staff is warm and helpful.”
  2. “good, well trained manager should know exactly how to handle these situations when they happen because word gets around and when you loose regular customers, that is really bad for business.”
  3. “Though the dining area is fairly small, it wasn't too crowded on an early Sunday evening, the atmosphere was pleasant and the wait-staff prompt about re-filling waters.”
  4. “The servers are also really helpful in explaining the menu (like seitan- never heard of it before I went to this place).”
  5. “With a wonderful atmosphere, polite staff and delicious food this place has everything a veggie diner needs.”
  6. “Where is the kind and friendly customer service.”
  7. “The waiters are friendly and the service is prompt, and the food is excellent.”
  8. “can't tell you how much i love this place and the people who work there.”
  9. “do not however understand the borderline rude, devoid of personality staff taking my order in a rushed, annoyed fashion after I have waited patiently to place said order.”
  10. “Also, Candle cafe need to spend a little extra money and hire a few more delivery people because 1 hour wait when you only live around the corner is a little ridiculous.”
  11. “great vegan options but the service lacks a little”
  12. “Great Food marred by poor customer service”
  13. “The service is prompt and courteous, staff is friendly, the decor is contemporary and clean.”
  14. “Very friendly and courteous staff.”
  15. “Unfortunately, the excellent food is marred by very poor customer service.”
value
72.91999816894531% positive
  1. “The price is good as organic food is more expensive than conventional food.”
  2. “If the cafe on 75th is busy, they have another location just up the street on 79th, which is huge.”
  3. “The one big drawback for me however is that in recent months probably as a cost saving measure they have been serving diminished portions which I think is a shame.”
  4. “We are huge fans of Indian cuisine, and found that everything on the plate was far too dry (barely any gravy), and even worse, BLAND.”
  5. “Also, Candle cafe need to spend a little extra money and hire a few more delivery people because 1 hour wait when you only live around the corner is a little ridiculous.”
  6. “The portions are generous but you wont leave feeling stuffed, even if you have one of their scrumptious desserts.”
  7. “Nice sized portions with great flavors.”
  8. “The crystal rolls were truly divine - they packed in a huge amount of flavor while still tasting light, and the sesame miso dressing was an instant favorite.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/18/12

Great vegetarian food

by CityGp

Friendly staff and good food.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/26/12

Amazing food!

by chucksamuel

I don't think I have ever tasted such good Vegetarian/Vegan food in my life. And note that I am not a Vegan.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/13/11

Great quality of food

by bracyrita

No matter how busy the people are in this place, you wouldn't think it's too crowded. You wouldn't mind it anymore. Most especially when you already tried their food. The food here is really good and it's always fresh. You would actually ask for more. Even though the staff were very busy, they still make it sure that you are being accommodated by them.

The price is just right. And it's really worth it. I would tell my friends to drop by here also and try this restaurant.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

03/30/11

Long Time Fan

by LanaKat

I have always loved Candle Cafe, especially when I am in too much of a rush to relax at Candle 79. The food is really good. I especially love the Cajun Seitan Sandwich almost more than any other sandwich in the world. I al also a fan of various smoothies and appetizers. Another great thing about this little cafe is the food is always fresh, unlike most places in NYC. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars are reasons I am sure can't be helped - as they seem smart enough to try to make it the best experience. 1.) it's ALWAYS crowded and you feel a little jammed 2.) the staff is always super busy and it's hard to get their attention when you need something. If they expanded (possible?) it would get 5 stars from me for sure.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/28/10

Delicious and Satisfying for Mind and Body!

by es11sn0w

Candle Cafe is our best vegan/vegetarian spot to eat. We like their menu over their more formal dining restaurant up the street "Candle 79." We are conscious eaters and know the exactly what is on the menu and it is just amazing and satisfying. The food is always flavorful, fresh and nothing short of amazing. They also have great organic wines to choose from.

  • Pros: Range of Menu, Fresh, Flavorful, Healthy and Good Wine!
  • Cons: Can get crowded, up to 20 minute wait even on monday nights!

Green Restaurant All Certified Green Restaurants® meet the minimum certification criteria of the science-based standards of the Green Restaurant Association (GRA), a national non profit dedicated to Greening Restaurants since 1990. Certified Green Restaurants® implement transparent and verified environmental steps in seven environmental categories: Energy, Water, Chemicals, Food, Packaging, Waste, and Building. Learn more about the GRA's standards and how to Dine Green.

The Details on Candle Cafe

Place Categories:

  • enjoy vegetarian food
  • rude staff
  • love place
  • favorite vegan restaurant
  • warm atmosphere
  • creative vegan cuisine
  • love interesting vegetarian dishes
  • favorite dish
  • amazing desserts
  • even worse everything
  • not heavy\/creamy corn chowder
  • ridiculous hour wait
  • delicious tofu club
  • creative daily specials
  • warm cut
  • absolutely loved wrap
  • full refund
  • full sincere apology
  • huge fans
  • favorite dressing
  • love animals signs
  • fresh ingredients
  • good veggie
  • poor customer service
  • truly divine crystal rolls
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