Welcome to Café Tibet: A Vegan Restaurant
At Café Tibet, a vegan restaurant nestled in the heart of Berkeley, California, culinary traditions from the Himalayas meet modern vegan sensibilities. Inspired by a profound environmental commitment, the restaurant transitioned to a fully vegan menu, all while maintaining the rich flavors and cultural essence of traditional Tibetan cuisine. Diners can indulge in dishes like the savory Tre-Ma Khatsa, featuring organic garbanzo beans seasoned with Himalayan spices, or the beloved momos, which garner rave reviews for their melt-in-mouth goodness. With a cozy atmosphere and friendly service, Café Tibet is a sanctuary for those seeking wholesome, organic, and delicious food that delights both the palate and the soul.
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2020 University Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 Hotline: (510) 548-5553
Welcome to Café Tibet: A Vegan Restaurant, where the essence of Tibetan culture meets the vibrant flavors of plant-based cuisine. Nestled in the heart of Berkeley at 2020 University Ave, this charming eatery offers a delightful escape for those seeking a taste of the Himalayas, all while adhering to a vegan and gluten-free lifestyle. With friendly service that feels like home and dishes enriched with organic produce, Café Tibet stands out as a true gem in the East Bay dining scene.
As you step inside, the cozy ambiance invites you to unwind, adorned with intricate Thangkas and a sacred prayer wheel at the entrance. The culinary offerings showcase the warmth of Tibetan hospitality, where each dish is crafted with care and attention to detail. From the starters to the main courses, every item on the menu tells a story of traditional recipes infused with local ingredients.
- Starters: Begin your culinary journey with Dholooma Kamngoe eggplant chips, served with a special house sauce that will tantalize your taste buds for just $7.99. Alternatively, explore the flavors of Tre-Ma Khatsa, sautéed organic garbanzo beans combined with Himalayan spices, ginger, and garlic, also priced at $7.99.
- Soups: For soup enthusiasts, the hearty Café Tibet Soup is a must-try. With a blend of oats, spinach, peas, and mushrooms infused with fresh herbs, this dish offers comfort and nourishment for $8.00. Each spoonful warms the soul and is a reflection of Tanya’s commitment to flavor and health.
- Salads: The Lhasa Salad, a refreshing combination of cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions dressed with lemon and spices, tantalizes the palate at $8.99, proving that salads can indeed be a culinary adventure.
Café Tibet's specialty lies in its renowned momos, the Tibetan dumplings that leave food lovers raving. The momo combination plate is a favorite for many, with one guest exclaiming that they’re "better than Chinese potstickers." The feedback underscores the restaurant's dedication to preparing each dish with love and authenticity, delivering flavors that resonate deeply with both seasoned vegans and curious diners alike.
Many customers have expressed their appreciation for the unique offerings and the way they redefine vegan dining. From the comforting Ngoe-Thang spinach soup to the savory curried potatoes, the positive reviews celebrate the restaurant's thoughtful approach to vegan cuisine, with dishes infused with the subtle spices of Tibetan and Indian cooking traditions. Consistent praises for the ambiance, service, and quality of food further affirm that Café Tibet earns its rightful place among the best eateries in the East Bay.
Stop by Café Tibet for an experience that marries flavor, care, and a touch of Himalayan magic. Whether you’re a lifelong vegan or simply looking to explore, this mindful establishment invites you to savor dishes that nurture both the body and the spirit. With every bite, you’ll understand why so many patrons declare their love for this enchanting culinary destination. The taste of tradition beckons—will you answer it?
The whole experience was amazing.. Food was very fresh and service by the friendly staff was top notch. Momos were melt in the mouth soft and delicious. Noodles and fried rice were super flavorful. We told them one of the members in our party has a flight to catch and requested for faster service and they kindly obliged and made it happen.. we enjoyed the food and made it to airport on time. We are definitely going back.
hands down, I always order the Momo Momo combination plate. My favorite is the spinach mushroom with Green sauce. It's SO SO good that I LOVE it better than Chinese potstickers. I tried the butter/tea/soup, that was not my "cup of tea". their Lentil soup is always super good. give it a try, and I think everything is organic
Curried potatoes were good. Subtle flavor, not heavy on the spices. Piping hot! And a good portion size. Still trying to draw a conclusion on the spinach soup... it had a taste that wasn't pure spinach, but I couldn't quite nail down what it was??? Wasn't lemon, ginger or garlic. The strawberry's marinated in OJ and rum were a nice and light dessert, you can really taste the rum. Service was kind. Dining room is a little cramped. The music playing was meditative-like, deep, and calm vibe-ish. I will go back for round two.
I enjoyed eating at Cafe Tibet. Really tasty vegan food, very different flavors than i'n used to, and it was delicious. The waitress was so helpful and lovely. Highly recommend
I came here late in the afternoon for lunch, (this was my first time eating at Cafe Tibet). I had been expecting my date to meet me there, but unfortunately ended up having to stand me up due to traffic and work-related issues. I ordered the Eggplant Chips as an appetizer (more like "chips" in the British sense), Bod-Jha/Tibetan Butter Tea, Tingmo, and a bowl of the Cafe Tibet Soup. I also ordered the #30 momo combination plate to-go for my partner and I to share later. The space itself is cozy, relaxed, and very charming. Everyone working there - from the servers to the chef - were incredibly warm, welcoming and friendly. The best part though? Everything was delicious!!!! And Vegan?!?!! And Organic!?! I'll be back very soon. Also my partner loved the momos, and can't wait to try more of their dishes.
I went back with a couple friends today to try a few more dishes. It was so satisfying. The lentil miso soup with seaweed on top is really good and smells amazing even though it might not look much.
Best momos ever. Shoko momo is my favorite. Couple it with the lentil soup for a delicious meal. Service is quick and friendly. The vibe is authentic Tibetan, intimate and relaxed. Definitely recommend. My go-to spot for momos. They have three different vegetarian options and multiple meat options. Can't go wrong. All are amazing!
Cafe Tibet is in my top 5 restaurants in the East Bay. I love their Ngoe-thuk pan friend sweet potato noodles with tofu and vegetables, which tastes so delicious and the portion so generous I get supremely happy! With their Himalayan seasonings, vegetables choices and take on fried rice, noodles, soups, and organic veggie dishes make unique and healthy. I am gluten free so I can't eat the Momos (Tibetan dumplings), but every person I've brought orders them and says they are scrumptious. There is an influence of Indian cuisine in some of the dishes and appetizers, and their macrobiotic plates are also generously portioned and super tasty. No boring, bland vegetarian food here. I have been eating here for 6 years, and the change to vegan was an enviromental choice by a family member who took over, but it hasn't affected the yumminess of their offerings. The past 3 years eating in NYC, LA, SF and the East Bay I've noticed a foodie revolution going on in the later surpassing everywhere else. I read a list recently that put Oakland as number one on a list as best city to eat out nationally. I am lumping all of the East Bay into that category, but I would agree, Oakland, Berkeley and Albany have it going on. It's probably the influence of Berkeley's Chez Panisse which started the whole farm to table revolution using quality ingredients to make delicious healthy food. In any case Cafe Tibet is part of that community, has a super sweet vibe with Thangkas all over the walls and a prayer wheel at the entrance, worth keeping on your Best of the Bay list.
Visited Cafe Tibet in Berkeley to try Tibetan food for the first time, and it was quite good! I ordered one of their noodle soups as well as a curry rice and both had great flavor and choice of ingredients. Just so folks are aware, even though the menu includes meat options, the restaurant is currently phasing it all out to vegetarian, which I think is nice even though I typically enjoy meat. The service and ambiance were also really nice. The server was very easy to talk to and shared some things about Tibet. Overall, this is a nice local restaurant to support and I will be coming back here for the good food!