Vegan restaurant supports the homeless and the Falun Gong.

by Alexandra Richmond

The restaurant’s exterior resembles an old donut shop or fast food joint, but inside, pale bamboo walls and tables stocked with bright green chopsticks and brilliant red hot sauce light up the faces of happy eaters. Regulars are a mix of vegans, UT students and those who love fresh, bargain-priced Chinese food (most entrees are under $5). Eating here isn't just healthy, it can be a learning experience, if one reads any of the literature hanging about. Of obvious importance: stopping China's persecution of Falun Gong. The restaurant also supports various charities, including fighting breast cancer and feeding Austin’s homeless.

07/01/09

VEGGIE HEAVEN- BEST PLACE TO EAT...EVER

by RtotheO

This is my number 1 favorite restaurant in the city of Austin, as well as the entire country. They offer the BEST vegan food anywhere. They're food is super cheap and they're menu is huge. It's nice to feel assured that everything you're eating is vegan! EAT HERE.

• Pros: Food, price
• Cons: nothing

06/15/09

Unassuming but excellent Asian vegetarian place!

by CSMobileUser

As a UT student, I walked past Veggie Heaven numerous times without ever trying it. Years later, I finally visited Veggie Heaven at the suggestion of a friend. What a surprise! What this meat-eater thought would just be "rabbit food" turns out to be the yummiest presentation of tofu and soy I've ever had! The oddly-named "Protein 2000" is like a very good vegetarian sesame chicken. The Four Seasons tofu is an excellent sweet and spicy tofu and green bean dish. Don't miss the kitschy $5 Veggie Heaven t-shirts if you want to show your love!

05/13/09

BAAAAD

by bc3

I went to lunch with 3 friends. We ordered 3 different dishes - I ordered the supposedly spicey tomato dish #27 & one of us ordered the eqqplant & tofu dish - I can't remember what the other person ordered. All 3 dishes were virtually inedible. They had a really bad flavor like they had been doused with a sauce made from dirty socks soaked in water. My spring roll at least was edible, but very greasy.

Similarly, I had a bland experience the last 2 previsous times I ate here, even though I ordered dishes that were alledgedly "spicey"

I used to come here frequently for Cathay Fajitas, but I will never dine here again!

Our server was borderline rude & not very diligent about refilling our water glasses.

• Cons: TERRIBLE FOOD, lackluster atmosphere, apathetic staff

02/17/09

Best Veggie Food in Austin

by jihan777

Try the protein 2000 and the chicken quesadilla! The pearl drinks are yummy especially the taro. I haven't found many things at this place that I didn't care for.

• Pros: The food comes out fast and delicious
• Cons: They really want to turn the tables over so don't plan on taking your time while eating

02/13/09

Veggie Heaven

by Vegreviewer

I never write reviews of this sort, but I was galvanized to do so by reading the first review that I encountered on this site while looking for Veggie Heaven's phone number. All I would say to the vegetarians out there is that this restaurant is NOT a hip dining spot, at which you enjoy an aperitif while commenting on the flawless decor and charming waitstaff. However, if you are a vegetarian who appreciates great food, low prices, prompt service, and a menu that is composed entirely of vegetarian options, this is the restaurant for you. Additionally, their service is so expedient it is unlikely that you will have to wait on a parking spot for longer then a few minutes even during peak dining hours.

09/11/08

Rushed service and TERRIBLE parking situation

by the9962

I just went to Veggie Heaven again today, and although their food is decent, I have to agree with most of the other reviewers that say the food is predictable. I have ordered several different dishes and they're right - one dish tastes like the next. And the next. And the next. But, predictability is sometimes a good thing - no matter what you order, your food will taste the same - and you can't beat the price.

The service is TERRIBLE. They're just churning customers through to make the extra buck. "Sit down, order, eat, pay, and GET OUT" is the definite unspoken rule: Snarf down your meal and leave in order to make room for the next customer. The check is brought to you immediately after they serve your food and they NEVER ask if they can bring you anything else! Make a unique request and you get stared at like you're an alien.

The ambiance is blah. Not that the place is dirty or filthy, but I do get that "greasy spoon cafe" feeling in there. One thing the owners could do is to perhaps have a small stereo with some background music of some sort. I mean, come on, how much would it hurt to spring for a $14 cheap stereo at WalMart?

But the worst thing about Veggie Heaven? The parking. It's ATROCIOUS! When I got there (at 1:30 p.m., AFTER the lunch rush), there was absolutely no parking in their lot, and I felt very lucky to get a place on Guadalupe (for which of course I had to pay). Two things happened that made me realize the ownership/management couldn't care less about their customers' ability to park in their lot. First, a lady walked in and told the group she was meeting that she couldn't join them because there was no parking and she had circled the block for forever, to no avail. Later, I observed a car drive in, stop in their parking lot, and drop off a girl who promptly got into HER car (parked in VEGGIE HEAVEN'S lot), and drove off. Hello Veggie Heaven! Folks are using your lot for other purposes and you're not TOWING like your signs claim you do!

• Pros: Predictable food. Cheap prices.
• Cons: Service is bad and parking is ridiculous! (Mgmt won't tow like they claim they do!)

08/20/08

Great food!

by jaycat26

I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian, and I don't usually eat or even like tofu, but Veggie Heaven is my favorite restaurant by far. Whenever I'm in Austin, I must stop by Veggie Heaven. Their food is amazing! My favorite dish is the Four Seasons. I've brought friends there who have expressed their hesitation since they don't usually eat dishes that are vegan, and they all enjoyed it. It's truly an Austin-ish restaurant.

• Pros: Great food, close to the UT campus
• Cons: Parking can get full, close to the UT campus

07/22/08

Best vegan joint in town

by thewiz

amazing food. deserves all the praise they receive. kindhearted, warm and generous people who make amazing food. i love this place.

• Pros: amazing, healthy food at a good price. fast too.
• Cons: not a particularly cozy place... but then again you came for the food not the furniture and lighting right : )

07/10/08

One of America's Greatest Vegetarian Resteraunts!

by caligraphox

I've tried places in New York and LA (and Houston, like that had much...), and Veggie Heaven is in a class of it's own. I've lived in Austin, off and on, for about 7 years and this place has been THE "go to place" for great veggie meals the whole time.

Unbeatable quality AND quantity (i've probably tried about 40 out of their 50+ entree menu, never once was I disappointed). Fast service. Great peaceful staff, that are very quick with service and very helpful if you have questions.

To be clear... what THEY SAY is the top 3, IS THE TOP 3!!! So, if you haven't been there before, you MUST get one of these 3 items, b/c they are 90% of what I've ever gotten for a reason. Protein 2000, Tangerine Mushroom, and Lucky Seven (my personal fav) are all 10 out of 10, and to be honest, the rest of the menu's items do vary from 7-9/10 (and the peanut butter noodles I'd give a 5 or 6, as my least fav thing).

Also! The steam buns are very tasty appetizer is very tasty, and the vegetarian sushi is top notch as well.

Finally, the VEGAN MILK POWDER (yes VEGAN MILK POWDER) version of their bubble tea, is the BEST BUBBLE TEA I've EVER HAD!!!! All the flavors are great (personal fav=Taro), but whether you're a hemp'd out hippie vegan, or a wild eyed Texan STEAK LOVER who just wants to try the best Bubble Tea in town, ask for the VEGAN version of the bubble tea, in the flavor of your choice.

Not a fancy location (or terribly romantic for dates), but a clean and pleasant dining space. And last time I checked, T-Shirts were only 5 bucks, and came in every color. Represent!

• Pros: Best Veggie Food Around
• Cons: Tiny Space