As someone who lives in St. Louis and visits Kansas City several times per year, I always make it my mission to stop by Cafe Gratitude for a meal while I'm in town! I tried Cafe Gratitude for the first time a few years ago, and I haven't stopped thinking about this place since. They provide more than just food... it's a whole EXPERIENCE. I've always been very warmly greeted at the front entrance. Sometimes while visiting, I've had a short wait. Other times are more empty, such as when there's a Chiefs game. All of the employees are extremely kind, personable, and welcoming. Service has truly never lacked for me here. You will notice right away that every menu item is an affirmation. At the top of the menu, it says, "I Am..." and each drink, appetizer, and entree is a positive word. As your food is delivered, they tell you your affirmation. For example, if I ordered the Warm Hearted bowl, they would say, "You are Warm Hearted." Even the water pitchers at each table have affirmative words on them. It's the little things like this that make Cafe Gratitude so special! Also, as you're placing your order, your server will leave your table with a "question of the day" that you can reflect upon and discuss with others. My partner and I love these prompts while we're waiting on our food. There's also a deck of special cards at each table that have additional questions for reflection! I try to order a different menu item every time I visit, so I've enjoyed a little bit of everything at this point. For appetizers, you have to try the Plentiful (chili). While I've never had anything here that I didn't love, my top favorite entrees would have to be Terrific (raw pad thai bowl), Warm Hearted (Italian polenta and squash noodles), and Whole (macrobiotic bowl). I also love Grateful, also known as their community bowl. If you need financial assistance with this bowl, you may pay a sliding scale of $3-11. If you want to contribute to someone else, you can pick an amount and set it aside for someone in need. I wish more businesses did this! During my most recent visit, I decided to try Transformed (tacos), which include sweet potatoes, black beans, guacamole-style hummus, pico de gallo, and cashew nacho cheese on organic corn tacos. They were delicious, but I'll probably stick to my bowls next time! It came with a side salad that wasn't anything super special but still full of flavor. The walls of the restaurant are covered in local art that rotates regularly and is available for purchase. The space itself is very cute and cozy. I read more about Cafe Gratitude's story on their website, and much of the interior is upcycled. For example, many of the light fixtures are made of old wine and vodka bottles. At the host stand, they have Cafe Gratitude postcards that you can write a message on, and they'll mail them out for you. The flavors of everything here is unmatched. Such unique combinations that my heart so happy. I always leave here feeling so fulfilled. read more

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If you want excellent healthy, fresh and delicious vegan food then this is the spot for you! Everything is made from scratch in house. I love how they name the menu items a positive affirmation. Check it out even if you're not vegan. You won't be disappointed!! It's a little pricy but worth it for all the love that goes into making each dish! read more

Cafe Gratitude - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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We celebrated our anniversary here on a weekend getaway and couldn't have chosen a better destination for a tasty, healthy meal. Service was attentive, we were seated promptly and the server helped us navigate the many options in their menu. There were too many nice touches to even mention here ... reasonable prices and great food. You will not be disappointed no matter your dietary preferences. read more

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The first time I came here I didn't leave a review afterwards, which I should have because I did enjoy the "I am Flourishing" mushroom tacos, which were pretty good. I also had the "I am rejuvenated," which is the green cocktail juice, and I highly recommend this. A good earthy balance that makes you feel good after drinking it. I had this juice again during the most recent visit, but I order something else. Upon my most recent visit, I had ordered the "I am Aligned" zucchini alfredo noodles, and I was not very impressed. You can try some things and hope they will taste as good as others. I may come back again for the tacos, or try something different next time. Honestly, I am not that big into vegan food, so only if I am in the mood. read more

Cafe Gratitude - I am Flourishing tacos. - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Really wanted to like this place after all of the good reviews and two referrals. We went on First Fridays so expected a little wait, no big deal. It ended up being longer than we were quoted, but when we went in there were quite a few open tables. They left us water and a pitcher which helped, but only checked on us once. We spied two cinnamon rolls and wanted to put them on hold since they were BOGO, but they came out before our actual entrees? We got the Buddha bowl and their burger and both were meh. There was too much sauce in mine, but the only redeeming thing was the bacon tofu. The burger immediately fell apart and the flavor was lacking. The cinnamon roll was awful. It was later in the day, but was so chalky and felt stale. Like it was a day old and somehow too sweet at the same time. We had to go to the register for our check and no one came by to check in on us at all. Also putting a person in a foot brace on top of steps was a little tricky to navigate. Would not come here again and sadly the last meal we had in KC. read more

The cafe looked very vibrant and the ambiance was pleasant. The quantity of food served was pretty decent and tasted good. The cauliflower bites with cashew dip and the hemp pesto were definitely the highlight of our visit. I recommend this place! read more

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Adorable, inspiring and yummy. That really could be the review. My friend needed a raw menu and found this place. We found parking on the next block but I can see this being challenging on a busy day. Also, we were seated pretty quickly and easily. The server was kind and patient and took our order soon after. We had time to settle in and enjoy the surroundings. It's quite inviting and relaxing with cards and questions and good vibes all around. My friend thoroughly enjoyed everything they ordered. I just had lemonade and a bit of food but they were delicious. Wouldn't hesitate to return for a bite in the future. read more

Cafe Gratitude - customers sitting at tables in a restaurant - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I absolutely loved my lunch at Café gratitude today! I ordered a pumpkin spice latte and shared the seasonal spinach artichoke dip with ciabatta, "I am abundant" (mung bean wrap), and "I am dazzling" (Caesar salad). We loved everything but the spinach artichoke dip was by far my favorite dish! So flavorful, creamy, and with large chunks of artichoke which I loved! There was only one waitress but we didn't have to wait all that long and she was wonderful at answering our questions and helping us out! It is also such a cute restaurant. I love the artwork and design! read more

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Parking in this area can be tough so build some time in for finding a spot. This space is on the smaller side so call ahead if you have a big group or have a back up. The food is AMAZING! I am never disappointed. This time I got the I Am Strong (lentil tacos) and they were so tasty! Perfectly seasoned and fresh. Servers was very sweet and helpful!!! read more

Cafe Gratitude - I am Strong (lentil tacos) - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

Looked into vegan restaurants in KC and this one showed up! Don't recall what I ordered but my dad enjoyed his tacos! This donut was the BEST the frosting on it is amazing. The matcha latte was good too. Parked about a block away and it was worth it! I think the prices were a high + the decor was cute. read more

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My boss took us to @cafegratitudekc , the best vegan place in Kansas City. They have 3 other restaurants in California also? We got the amazing vegan carnitas adobo wrap. The curry bowl. Butternut squash soup and the decadent coconut milk chocolate cheese cake. And did I tell you this restaurant is farm to table. 100% organic and absolutely delicious ? read more

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Service was great. We had good timing and beat the rush. Very accommodating however our 3 appetizers were served lukewarm. We didn't complain. The chili had phenomenal flavor and a good spicy heat to it. It was my favorite. The Mac & Cheese was our other favorite and that was served hot. The atmosphere was comfortable and welcoming. read more

Terrible system. Beware. Their Yelp page/site allows ordering but they don't allow it. They canceled they order which Grubhub didn't notify me then staff basically said I'm sorry but no offer to make it right. The food likely is good given the wait but this was very unappreciated as was the attitude of staff. read more

The food was delicious and unique. Our server was kind and accommodating. The local artists' work on the walls and murals are perfect for their atmosphere. read more

Listen, , Cafe Gratitude made me consider giving up meat in a strong way on my very first visit. My mom, sister and I have been trying out restaurants around KC for the last couple of months, and this one quickly rose to the top for me. The buffalo cauliflower bites alone were enough to get me excited for a second visit. The staff was great, and the environment was very chill, my kind of place! read more

Cafe Gratitude - Buffalo cauliflower and potatoes with vegan cheese - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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This place is the absolute BEST!! The fact that everything is plant based--from apps to desserts, I love that I can eat care free and leave feeling so nourished knowing I'm not eating junk is just an amazing feeling!! Jenna was our server and she was just simply delightful! Food is always incredible but when you also have incredible service it makes you want to keep coming back even more! You won't regret coming here! ( black bean burger and Zesty is 100% read more

Cafe Gratitude - I Am Cherished (Cheesecake of the Day) - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Fun and delicious. Love the ambience and all the cute names - I am Loved, etc. Love their cookbooks too! read more

Cafe Gratitude - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I am a newbie in this vegan world and this was my first experience in a completely vegan restaurant. It's was so nice to take the worry away about what was used, was it meeting my guidelines, etc., but this went beyond that. What a beautiful restaurant in a very easy location. I could see where parking might become an issue. The vibe totally matches my own and even my kids commented that they felt at home. I am a little shy on photos to match my review, because I got busy talking (insert eye roll)and with 7 people, not everyone understands the importance of a plate photo. Thankfully, I dined with family, so they were totally used to my fork sampling their food. We shall call it payment for my company. We started with 2 appetizers- Grounded (potatoes and cheese) and Zesty (Buffalo cauliflower) The kids loved the potato dish and complained the cauliflower was spicy. That left my husband and I to dust the cauliflower off ourselves. No complaints. I could even make a meal of the cauliflower! Yum! We tried a variety of entrees- *Reflective (brown rice,mushroom medley) *Flourishing (mushroom tacos) the entire tables favorite!!! *Strong (sweet potato tacos) also very tasty *Sensational (spaghetti squash Alfredo) *Fulfilled (Mac N Cheese) I ordered the brown rice dish, which was wonderful, but a tad plain. I used the homemade hot sauce to kick it up a few notches, but that is purely a personal preference. The tacos were the favorites of everyone, both very different in the taste makeup, but equally a stellar choice. Sensational was delicious. I had one child not care for it and another clean her plate. I personally wish it had more mushrooms, but I am beginning to think I have a mushroom addiction. Fulfilled was a nice addition to the menu and perfect for the more picky pallet. I added hot sauce to my own bites, but I also may have a hot sauce addiction. We took home dessert since we were all stuffed from dinner. These were slightly disappointing. I'm okay with dessert not being the star here. Five Stars Plus for service, atmosphere, food, menu diversity and a perfect place to ponder... "What are you grateful for?" read more

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Full disclosure: one of us, many moons ago, worked at the original location of Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco. We've also been to one of the outposts in LA, so let's just say we're extremely familiar with this business and how it operates. As was the usual back in the day, they were out of several dishes, and we appreciated being told about that when we were sat. We started with a beer, wine, and an effervescent, which is served quite differently than it used to be (no ice, small glass), but is still good. For dinner, our daughter got the winner--kids mac-n-cheese--and we ordered the kale salad and Indian bowls (forgot the affirmation titles!). The pasta was what it was all things considered and she (and we) did like it. Oddly, the salad came out first with mixed greens, but then we got another one a few minutes later with the kale it was supposed to have, so...yay?! It was really good. We loved the zippy dressing and extra fresh accoutrements in it. The Indian bowl was also very nice, especially warming on a cold night, but was also something you felt could easily be recreated at a Whole Foods hot bar. Still, a tasty and healthy nice meal. For dessert, we got the bliss (?), the chocolate silk pie which tasted just like it did over fifteen years ago! The I am grace shake, however, was a huge disappointment. Are salt and vanilla not being put in? Or is there not as much of the dates? That drink used to be the BEST thing on the menu and this was a sad shadow of it. We would have gone on our merry way and happily given this place four stars and that would have been that, but then we ordered a grateful bowl to go. We know that it's a sliding scale bowl, and the menu said between $3-$11. You're supposed to be asked what you want to pay, but we were never granted that question, and then we saw that we were charged $13 on the bill for it. Listen, it's not about the money--we would have happily given even more if we had been ASKED, but we were not--it's about treating people presumptively. And then, to add insult to injury, when we opened it later back at our hotel, we saw that there was only a tiny amount in the huge box, and that there were only a few pieces of kale (that were in super large chunks). What a huge bummer on all fronts. While we did get nice service at the restaurant, this one part of the experience really left a bad taste in our mouths and soured the evening. Cafe Gratitude should treat *all* members in the community with respect. Three stars. read more

A beautiful meal. Love the whole foods and how everything is thoughtfully created to be flavourful yet wholesome, nutrient dense and healthy. I had the I am Whole bowl and I am immortal drink. Loved everything about it. The bowl was a perfect mix of cooked, raw, roasted, pickled, fermented foods with a yummy garlic sauce. And the immortal drink with reishi, shilajit, ormus, coconut milk...so comforting. Loved it so much. Just what I needed. My husband had the I am Warm Hearted - grilled polenta with spaghetti squash....it was DELICIOUS!!! The I am strong tacos were were yummy and flavourful as well. Service was great as well. Cant go wrong. Love this place. read more

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First meal and first time in Kansas City. Amazed by the variety of vegan options. I love the fact that the menu is different from the Yelp reviews. Perhaps the owner brings creativity into the menu often. Guess you will be surprised every time you are here. I've tried Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco but this one has a much chilled vibe. I love the freshness, innovation and yumminess of the food. Grateful for the first encounter. read more

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Food service and ambiance were good. Also order the mushroom coffee. It was good. It was less crowded read more

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Oh I wanted to like this place so badly. I had heard about this place for years, with all of my friends telling me the same thing--that it was a staple of KC with fantastic meals, hearty and fresh.. When I saw the menu, I was overjoyed. Everything on the menu was gluten and lactose free, which meant that I could consume it all without having any digestive issues. I ordered the sensational along with a side of gluten free bread. The entree was exactly the opposite of its name. After my first bite, my entire table looked at me, and asked what was wrong. I did not expect the spaghetti squash dish to be mushy, and most oddly, why the dish was sour. It took several bites for me to taste it especially in the cut mushrooms, but I finally realized that the mushrooms must have been sautéed in red vinegar--but it tasted completely doused in it. I think I tried three good bites and called it quits. I also never got my gluten free bread. At least the side salad that came with the meal was refreshing and fresh. I had a friend at the table order their potatoes with cashew cheese, with cheese on the side, because he's allergic to cashews. They initially brought the appetizer out with the cheese on the potatoes and also on the side, so we had to ask them to take it back. Oy. The restaurant itself was well cleaned though, and staff were friendly. read more

Cafe Gratitude - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

The ingredients were so fresh and the dishes were unique and extremely creative with tons of flavors. We even got the cookbook.

Loved it! A lot to choose from and it was delicious. I wish I could cook like this! It's fun how they say "You are" and then the name of the dish. Our waiter was awesome. read more

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Wow! Best vegan food I've ever had. Coming from NYC, I thought it was going to be a BBQ towns so-so attempt at vegan food, but I was proved completely wrong! I ordered the entree size Dazzling Caesar Salad and the Warm Hearted spaghetti squash with puttanesca and polenta entree. The Caesar salad did not disappoint in size or flavor, that alone could've been my meal. It was the best vegan Caesar dressing I've ever tried and the addition of toasted breadcrumbs and capers added a lot of flavor. The warm hearted was by far the BEST vegan entree I've had in my entire life. It was full of flavor and left me full and satisfied without feeling disgusting. It was also so delicious and fresh, I would eat it everyday if I lived nearby. It was all cooked to perfection even when eaten an hour after pickup in a paper to go box. On top of all this, the interior of the dining room is very welcoming with pictures of colorful animals covering the walls and a very friendly staff. I'd highly recommend this restaurant if you're passing through looking for a healthy and welcoming place to eat, whether you're vegan or not. You will not be disappointed. read more

Cafe Gratitude - I Am Dazzling Entree size Caesar salad - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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I was pleasantly surprised to find this while stoping by Kansas City. The service was friendly and attentive. I had my usual (only went to the one in San Diego twice) I am Grateful bowl. Just what I was hoping, it tasted familiar. I also enjoyed a cup of "I am worthy". Over all, no complaints. #leslieapproved read more

Cafe Gratitude - I am worthy drink and I am grateful bowl. - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I ordered the Indian Curry bowl. This was a top three favorite meal of all time for me. Not only was the food excellent but the service was amazing too! And dessert was a chocolate brownie with homemade ice cream. Happy happy mouth! read more

Cafe Gratitude - Indian Curry Bowl (Humble) - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

This is the cutest little spot! Wish I had been here sooner, the flavors are unlike anything I've had before. Everything here is vegan so the food has a very refreshing taste. I will say, this is not a place I would recommend for picky eaters as most food items are pretty dynamic. Above all our waitress was very nice as well and told me about the 'question of the day' the restaurant does that can spark table discussions,very unique. Keep an open mind when visiting here and you won't be disappointed! read more

Cafe Gratitude - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

I had takeout - for the Chiefs opener tonight. The BLT was excellent! The layers of smoked tofu was thinly sliced, with lettuce & tomato on sourdough bread - with a great sauce. Love the flavor & will order again! read more

I wish I could recommend this place. I ordered two meals and two desserts for pickup and was really looking forward to it. I even tipped at the time of the order and paid the almost $4 service fee for using a credit card. Total cost for two taco dinners and two donuts including tip? $50 The Flourishing and Strong tacos were great although the side salad was just greens and nothing else. Even so, two things were concerning. When I arrived to pick up the order the restaurant wasn't busy and there was only one takeout bag on the counter. So when I told the young woman I was picking up my order she was lukewarm and seemed surprised. She asked my name twice before going to get the bag. I checked to make sure it was the right order and left. Once home we discovered the two apple desserts (both marked as "Holy" was actually one apple and one chocolate. If as restaurant has run out they should ask first. (See photo) Too many other options in KC. Plus, there wasn't much warmth from the staff at cafe "gratitude." read more

Cafe Gratitude - Holy Donut (I paid for two of these apple desserts and only got one.) - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Absolutely wonderful. The staff was amazing friendly, helpful, and so welcoming. This is a trendy, vegan restaurant with tons of gluten free options as well. I'm dairy, gluten and some nut issues and there were plenty of options along with them will to accommodate more for me. The flavors were spectacular and went together well with textures too. I wish we would of tried the desserts but we got to full which is never a bad thing too. So want to visit again. read more

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Wholesome & friendly restaurant convenieny located in the hippest of hip KC area. Service was pleasnat & prompt. Decor, clean. Simple, plentiful, semi-open kitchen with lots of seating. I enjoyed the sweet potatoes, mushroom bowl, sunflower meat & broccoli cheddar soup tremendously. Grace was truly hospitable. Definitely a go-to for the health conscious eater & vegan foodies. Parking can be a doozie on busy days. ~Christy read more

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I have wanted to try this place for years after reading so many good reviews. Finally decided to order take out, and I was honestly a little disappointed. The vibes inside the restaurant are great, and all of the staff was super kind and helpful. I have to say the mushroom tacos were delicious! A sleeper hit. We loved the texture and sweetness from the coconut bacon. The roasted garlic potatoes were tasty but lacked texture. Same with the buffalo cauliflower. We were disappointed in the sweet potato tacos - they had no texture and were so soupy. Parking is also a struggle in Crossroads as usual. We found a spot down the street. They also validate parking in a nearby parking garage but not on First Fridays and I hear not on the weekends either. Next time I think I'll try different menu items and eat in the restaurant instead of doing take out to see if that improves the experience. read more

Cafe Gratitude - I Am Grounded (Garlic Potatoes) I Am Zesty (Buffalo Cauliflower) I Am Flourishing (Mushroom Tacos) I Am Strong (Curry Sweet Potato Tacos) - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

First time trying this place out and was impressed with the whole menu option. I ended getting the vegan nachos, I Am Terrific (Raw pad Thai), and a wrap. Everything was prepared well and would definitely recommend them if you're traveling or staying in Kansas City. The service was great and helpful! The ambiance was clean, spacious, and very well lit. The one thing that left an impression is the activities for you to do at the tables, such as write your friends/families a post card and the restaurant will ship them off for it to be a special surprise in the mail. read more

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I don't think I can say enough good things here. This place deserves more than 5 stars. The staff was super friendly and helpful. We love that so much is gluten free. The flavors were amazing of everything. We really wanted to come back and eat everyday since we were visiting from out of town but alas we had to move on. I have to say get desert, you won't regret it! I am grateful for Cafe Gratitude! read more

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This place is so unique. The food is fresh, healthy, and has many options for diners who have dietary needs and preferences (e.g., gluten free, vegan). One of my favorite parts is that they give you a contemplative question at the start of your meal to think about and/or discuss with your party! A great experience in many ways. read more

Cafe Gratitude - Vegan Near Me - Kansas City, Missouri

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Excellent gluten free and vegan food! We loved this restaurant in Santa Cruz and were so pleased to see it in KC.

The food was so fresh and flavorful with thoughtful ingredients. Staff was so kind and helpful. How refreshing to have such healthy delicious food available here! Thank you! read more

Popped in for a Friday dinner. Food was good. Great healthy options. Order was mixed up and so I ended up having to wait until they fixed what I had ordered. We figured out we had a server in training, so that happens. Ordered some food to go to take home to the hubby and waited a good 30 minutes for it. Not horrible because we had nothing else to do, but seemed to take longer than expected. Keep this in mind. read more

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