delicious food, affordable prices. I recommend the chipotle curry soup, gnocchi, lentils and chocolate ice cream.

About 2 years ago, I came up to Rochester for a friends wedding. A few days before the wedding, my friend the bride suggested we go out to dinner to a vegan Ethiopian restaurant inside of a natural foods store. My first thoughts were, "gross", "blech", and "oh hell no". Its not that I am against vegan food, or Ethiopian food (which I'd never had), but what I knew of Ethiopian food from travel shows was that it was a lot of mushy paste like food you eat with your hands and spongy bread (injera). The combination of the two did not sound appetizing. But I kept my mouth shut and soldiered on, full expecting to dislike it. I was pleasantly surprised when we arrived and found it to be nothing but awesome. So fast forward two years, and I'm visiting Rochester again, this time for my college reunion. The first thing I insisted on was visiting Natural Oasis and eating some of their amazing food. This trip around we called ahead, made a reservation and asked if they would be able to hold some gnocchi aside for us, which the graciously did. Knowing now what a treat this place is, we ordered one of everything. I don't think I've ever done that before, but it was pretty awesome actually saying "I'll order the whole menu please". Dishes are served in small plates form, at $4 a plate. This is definitely a place to come with friends with the intention of sharing. I loved having a little buffet of things to sample. My only gripe would be that the tables need to be bigger for people who order one of everything. There are about 13 items, which are all the same kind of preparation, but the ingredients change from day to day. My favorites were the gnocchi, which is better than any Italian style gnocchi I've ever had. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They must grill or pan sear them to get that crunchy outer shell. I also enjoyed the cold coconut milk chai latte, the pizza, the roasted beets, the lentils and the stew. The injera is great too, spongy and a little sour tasting, like sourdough. I was happy to find out when we first came to Natural Oasis that they do have silverware! I did, however, eat a lot of my food using the injera to pick it up. We ordered one dessert to split which was a coconut rice pudding. Ah-mazing. The plates come out as they are ready, and I think one of the owners (Soloman) is actually the server as well. Not sure about that, but its what it looked like. I would highly recommend this to anyone, just don't go alone. Its much more fun to go with friends or family and eat everything they make. As for the vegan part, you won't even miss the meat or dairy. read more

Natural Oasis - This represents only about half of what we ordered. Notice there is no more room left on the table! - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

This place is absolutely delicious. It's one of my favorite places in Rochester by far. It doesn't have the fanciest food ever, but it is filling, tasty, and very cheap. I went on a Monday, which meant they had an all you can eat lunch buffet for $9. You really can't beat that price. The buffet had lentils, rice, vegetable soup, a variety of vegetables, and Ethiopian bread called injera. Ethiopian food is traditionally scooped up with injera, but they have utensils available. Some of the dishes were better than others. The lentils and vegetable soup with injera were perfectly seasoned and delicious. Some of the vegetable sides were a little oily and under seasoned, but I didn't think they were disappointing enough to take away a star considering the price. I highly recommend this place. read more

Natural Oasis - Lentils, vegetables, rice, and vegetable soup - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

We found this delicious little spot after a college tour. The waiter was amazing and the place was adorable even though on the outside it looks unassuming. The food was amazing. I honestly can't say what my favorite was out of the five dishes my family tried. The Chai tea was sooooo good. Although a little sweet. The ice cream The gnocchi and I just... it's all so good and the serving sizes are perfect for you to try like three dishes. Just be careful if you have problems with salt. Even their fennel seeds were salty unlike the sweet Indian ones I'm use to. I wish I had something like this near me on Long Island. Now I absolutely love Ethiopian food. read more

Delicious! Came here last night for the first time with some of our vegan friends- the food was so unique & tasty, we brought 2 bottles of wine in at no charge, had so much food between the 4 of us and left with a $56 dollar bill! You can't beat it! The waiter was so sweet. My husband, who's a big meat eater, said he would definitely go back. That's a win! read more

I find Natural Oasis to be a refreshingly intimate and welcoming restaurant. We have been coming to Natural Oasis for over 10 years and have never been disappointed. The food is nothing like we have had before. Soloman and Nick graciously create their own Ethiopian/Indian vegan masterpieces with exquisite, rolling, beautiful flavors using fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables. They provide small and very delicious dishes that are meant to be paired together. We typically get 6 or so dishes plus dessert that are split between two people and we find that to be good for us. There is limited parking, you are sometimes better off not trying the lot but parking on the street, which is never an issue. Typically there has been no charge to park after 6 pm, plenty of spots, and it is an easy stroll across or along Monroe Ave. No alcohol, but no corkage fees as well, so bring your favorite bottle of wine with you and enjoy a quiet, casual evening with friends or your loved one and beautiful food. read more

Service: We had a fantastic server who easily accommodated our nut free needs! The chef even came out to clarify details to ensure we would avoid nuts during the preparation. Food: I love the a la carte menu which allows for family style dining and sampling a variety of dishes. We ordered the coconut milk chai which was really well spiced and had a rich mouth feel thanks to the coconut milk. We ordered their sautéed vegetables which were a combo of Swiss chard, kale, and caramelized onions. How do they get veggies to taste so good?! Next, was a mix of vegetables in a mushroom broth. There were stewed potatoes, zucchini, squash, and pearl onions in a savory broth. There was a vinegary flavor to the vegetables that I grew to really enjoy as I kept taking bites. We also ordered the gnocchi and pizza. Meals come with their complimentary flatbread that I was not a fan of. All I got was this overwhelming vinegar flavor that I did not enjoy. There was plenty of food that I didn't feel the need to fill myself on the bread. We finished our meal with their caramel, orange, chocolate ice cream which had a great richness and light citrus flavor. I would highly recommend ordering one of everything. $4 per plate is incredibly economical and paired with there BYOB policy you can get multiple courses for under $10/person! Ambience: The interior is incredibly outdated and looks like a random mix of furniture and has a slight odor that you become used to after a bit. DON'T LET THIS DETER YOU. We were a bit concerned at the beginning but the interior is comfortable and the food is delicious. Between the service, price, and flavor-- we will definitely be back! read more

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Stopped here for the Ethiopian lunch buffet. The A/.C Was broken this day, and the place was hot. Staff pretty much ignored us after showing us the small dining room. I found the food plentiful, fresh, but bland. There were a number of dishes prepared such as collards (my favorite), cabbage and carrots, two lentil dishes, basmati rice and beets and potatoes. The only drink in sight was room temperature water from a glass cistern. I would have enjoyed bread with this meal, but none was offered. I've heard of low key service, but this was extremely hands off. All dishes were vegetarian, which was nice, so I could try everything on the buffet. read more

The BEST Ethiopian food around, you have to try everything on the menu it's stellar! The buffet is simple and fresh, nothing is spicy which is helpful for some. You have to end the meal with a dessert. Check out the small goods shop on the way on for incense and spices. 100% vegan! read more

This is an outstanding restaurant and I wholeheartedly recommend it. I no longer live in that area but could only wish to find another veg restaurant where I live now as good as this one. Buffet and desserts are awesome. Store is awesome too! read more

Natural Oasis is open for dine in! They have to make your lunch plate(s) because buffet is not allowed. But same amazing food, selection, and service! Still my favorite restaurant in Rochester! read more

If you are to stumble upon this cool spot dont set your standards too high and enjoy some natural vibes. Food was great went during buffet hours. Advice to those thinking of going; try EVERYTHING. Mix and match and see what your tastebuds like. I also tried one the cookies from the front nd they were B O M B Definitely going to go back. read more

Natural Oasis - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

Wow. This is the best dining experience I've had in Rochester. This is hands down my new favorite restaurant and I plan to bring all of my friends and their friends here. If you like good food, you need to go here. I needed a good dinner spot for a small group containing a friend who was GF and lactose free. Upon arrival we realized he could eat all but one thing on the menu. There were four of us and a list of 13 items on the menu for $4 each. We ordered everything, including the drink special and both desserts. Literally a twelve course meal for $18 each (including tip). The items are Ethiopian tapas. Small plates that come out as they're ready and were perfect to share between the four of us. From the moment I sipped my coconut milk chai to my last bite of spiced chocolate ice cream, I could not stop savoring and raving about each dish. No, each morsel. My favorite item was the gnocchi, with a texture unlike any I've had before. Soft on the inside, crispy exterior, and soaked in a mushroom broth. Heaven in a bowl. Go with friends so you can sample like we did. I'll be back to check out their lunch buffet. read more

YUM, y'all. This is a place you don't even notice is vegan and (mainly) gluten free. The flavors and preparation of the food is so incredible. Each dish is $4. The menu doesn't change but the ingredients of the dishes do. For example, they always have gnocchi but the actual dish with the gnocchi changes. EVERY dish is delicious. I would recommend getting things that may not sound exciting because you may be delightfully surprised. read more

I finally had the opportunity to eat here with the Yelp crew earlier in the month and the experience was nothing but a joy. With all the laughs and the small dishes countlessly coming throughout the entire meal, it just felt like a really close-knit familial gathering of friends and buddies. The waiter was very nice, friendly, and non-intrusive too which made for an excellent dining experience out. For the food, we practically tried one of everything on the menu. Of course whenever you do something like this this, there's bound to be some home runs and some oh-my-god-why moments. The best dish of the night for me by leaps and bounds were the pan-fried gnocchi. They were larger than what you'd normally expect from the standard soft nuggets of pillow-y happiness, and boy did they have flavor. They were soft on the inside, crisp on the out, and came paired with a really hearty tomato-herbed sauce that complimented it oh so well. I think it was only $4, but the portion size for one person alone would be more than enough for any night out. If I were to ever come here for a meal, this dish would absolutely be my go-to dish each and every time. It. was. luscious. Other hits were the lentils and injera (perfect for mini sandwiches!), the fried broccoli fritters (never underestimate the deliciousness of chickpea flour!), and the roasted veggies. On the opposite side of things, there were a couple of other dishes that were just not-as-good, or relatively plain, like the risotto (do yourself a favor and stay away from this one...!), the salad (sorry Naz B.!), the rice dish, and the chocolate peppermint vegan ice cream. All of them were either bland, boring, or worst-of-all not-so-nice on the palette. I probably wouldn't order any of them again. So to summarize: + The gnocchi. Period. Wait staff, injera, fryolator, intimate not-as-well-known cool location, veggie cookery, prices - Vegan ice cream, vegan risotto, vegan salad (wait, what?), parking situation Everything said, I would definitely return. Once you know what's good, what more do you need to know? read more

Cheapest 12 course entree menu anywhere! I needed to find a restaurant that was vegan friendly. I saw that Natural Oasis had a high rating and asked the resident vegan what she knew. High pitch dramatic Italian squealing ensues. I think we found a winner folks. We arrived with our party of 4. While glancing through the menu, another dining companion asked how I knew it was gluten-free friendly? Got lucky, I guess. Every item except the pizza was gluten free. At $4 per plate and everything sounded great, we decided to order everything. Have you ever said that at a restaurant? "I want everything?". We did. We ordered hot and cold coconut milk chai, kale and swiss chard greens, roasted bell pepper, okra and chives khichadi, Ethiopian style lentils, kidney bean, turnip and potato stew, asparagus, snap peas, and potatoes in a basil mint coconut broth. I'm not even halfway done yet. We were losing count, but enjoying every minute of it. Then there was roasted beets, pesto and crushed toasted pistachio risotto, roasted garlic, san marzano tomatoes, caramelized onions and basil pizza, leaf lettuce, roasted shitake, zucchini and pine nuts salad, roasted portabellas, baby spinach, and mushroom broth gnocchi, roasted broccoli and vidalia onions bhaji, spiced apples with maple and tasted almonds dessert, and chocolate orange ice cream. Get all that? We feasted like no other. Their menu is laid out so you see the general categories and the preparation. What I just listed out is the other side with the daily menu. And looking over this list, I truly value the diversity of products I ate. It was a truly great meal. We each had our favorites. read more

This was a first for me. Before Natural Oasis I had never tried Ethiopian cuisine, and I had never been to an all vegan restaurant. I went with a group of Yelpers for an international food night, and I'm so glad that I did. I was pleasantly surprised by the food that was served. We went for dinner and we ordered some of everything so we could try it all. Natural Oasis doesn't have a large menu, but they have variety. You can try their gnocchi, soup, mini flatbread pizza, a couple rice dishes, and vegan ice cream. Natural Oasis is a good place to come with a small group of people. It's great to order a couple different items and share them, and that is made very easy with every menu item being only $4. This makes it incredibly easy to split the bill at the end of the night and have everybody walk away happy. I don't think I ever would have come here on my own, but I am so glad that I tried it. I can honestly say that I would come back and try it again if the opportunity arose. read more

A great budget option for vegan dinner in Rochester. This small, simple cafe and Ayurvedic store offers delicious food at low, low prices. Dinner is served tapas style, which allowed us to sample about 7 different dishes. Each one was spiced and flavored perfectly. The little dish of buttery fried chickpeas, raisins and cashews brought to the table as we sat down were amazing. Bring your own booze if you like - no beer or wine served, but they won't charge you for bringing your own. I didn't try dessert, but did enjoy the coconut milk spiced chai, which was lightly sweetened with agave and maple. read more

I stopped in for dinner with a few girlfriends yesterday evening. The outside of the building is unassuming and leads one to not expect much. But, don't be fooled; as the saying goes, can't judge a books by its cover. The dinner menu is ala carte with a listing of several small plates. Our server let us know most people order 2-3 items each. I chose the ice chai which was smooth, not overly sweet and perfectly spiced. For my meal I went with the greens which was a blend of swiss chard and kale, bhaji (fritter with broccoli and onion; served with coconut yogurt for dipping), and pizza (non yeast crust). The items were perfectly sized and I left feeling satisfied, not stuffed. The bhaji was my favorite, very crispy and the yogurt had a nice tang to compliment the richness of the fritter. The only item I was disappointed with was the injera, which was not tangy / sour as I am used to. Beware the parking lot is small and you may need to find a street spot. read more

Natural Oasis - Greens - kale and Swiss chard - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

Natural Oasis offers some great varieties with excellent service. Looking for vegan restaurants? Go to this one!

One of my top favorites in Rochester after having lived here for over 7 years. You can tell everything is prepared with care and love. The staff is very friendly and will always make you feel welcome. The overall feel is very relaxed. We bring our own alcohol of choice to enjoy with the food. Each dish is crafted with great ingredients and expert seasoning. The chai is not to be missed out on! read more

Natural Oasis is probably my favorite place to eat in Rochester. The food is always affordable and flavorful and the portions are large enough that you get a good taste of the dish, but not so large that you overeat. The salad is generally my favorite followed by the risotto and the gnocchi. I also love that you can bring in your own alcohol! read more

Natural Oasis - The salad with sun dried tomatoes and warm sweet potato. It was so good I ordered two! - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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It's been almost a year since I've been to Natty O', and I miss it so! This place has everything that I look for in a great restaurant - friendly, competent service, a comfortable atmosphere, great value for money, and most importantly, delicious food. N.O. (yes!) even goes above and beyond this. It was a quiet night on our last visit, and the chef, Nick, came over to our table to say hello. We (a group of ten) immediately forged a friendship with Nick (this has no bearing on the positive review - I swear!) and we now stop in anytime we're in town. I admit I'm stretching back into the far reaches of my memory, so forgive the vagueness, but here are some dishes to try if you see them on the (rotating) menu: the brussel sprouts (ours were deliciously caramelized and had apples), risotto (squash, I believe), and a warm cauliflower salad. Amazingly, it's all vegan. And I rather abhor vegan food. Or so I thought. Nick (and co.) takes traditional Ethiopian food and puts his own spin on it, transforming it into something even more complex and refined. Do yourselves a favor and, next time you pass through Rochester, make sure you pay a visit to Natty O'. read more

Read all the reviews here. Everyone adds a piece of what my thoughts were. I have a vegetarian and a vegan in my family and we are always looking for good restaurants. I knew of this location from purchasing herbs here. We stopped in on a Wednesday evening probably about 6:30 or so. We parked on the street around the corner because the lot was full. We just hoped we parked in a spot where wouldn't get a ticket. This is definitely not your local chain. I kind of felt like I was in another country, but I enjoyed it. The three of us ordered 6 dishes. The pizza was very good. The Risotto was excellent. The root vegetables in a sriracha sauce were very good. We tried the Kichadi, I think. Everything was very flavorful and we walked away full, but not stuffed like we tend to do at other restaurants. And, we felt good eating this food sine it was healthy and vegan. This was our first experience with this type of cuisine. Unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the injera. It seemed to have to much of a "vinegary" flavor. I did get the warm coconut chai tea. It was excellent. The dishes came out one by one as they were ready. We liked this an we were sharing anyway, so It helped us enjoy each piece of the meal. The server (owner?) was very pleasant and gracious as he came and went from the table. We will return! read more

Love the fact that they cater to vegetarians/vegans. Everything was fresh! Lentils and mixed vegetables were the best. Ice cream was also good. Injera had a different taste (not like the other injera I have had before; didn't really care for theirs. Injera is a very important part of an Ethiopian meal, so a tad bit disappointed). Chai tea was also very good. WOULD go back. Atmosphere-very cool! ---- Nothing fancy. Had more like a homey feel. Old school table and chairs that my grandmother once had in her kitchen. And they serve water in tin cups and a glass jar. Good place to share dishes as they are $4 per selection.... read more

I was hesitant because 'vegan' and 'vegetarian' are not buzzwords in my restaurant vocabulary, but I am already thinking about the next time I can go there. (Is one day later too soon?) Went last night with a couple friends and for $25 (total), we ate like queens. Everything was perfectly spiced and portioned, and those little curry chickpeas will haunt my taste buds in the best way. We got the risotto (two orders, because one is just not enough), kale and swiss chard, bhaji (broccoli and vidalia onion), gnocchi (shiitake) and butternut squash with cabbage and shiitake. Even if your favorite dinner is meat with a side of meat covered in eggs and cheese, go get some of this vegan goodness. read more

What a neat and modest concept! Just $4 for each little dish. You can try so many at one time! Perfect for sharing. And they come with Ethiopian Injera bread. I would describe the food as a fusion of Indian and Ethiopian with a bit of Italian. The gnocchi is so different than what you would get at an Italian restaurant and yet so delicious. The Bhaji is a fun snack. The Stew is perfectly tangy. In addition, the food here seems so healthy. You would never know everything on their menu was Vegan, including the ice cream. Service is great too. Feels like you are eating at someone's home. Lastly, you can bring your own bottle of wine, which is like a cherry on top. read more

The food was out of this world. I had the risotto, the gnocchi, the vegetable, a sweet potato curry soup, and something else that I can't remember how to spell. It was divine. read more

I go here occasionally for the $9 lunch buffet. Recommended for vegetarians - one of the few go-to spots in Rochester. The food is not bad. Good enough, I would say. Zero atmosphere in this place. Total self-service for the lunch buffet - you may even have to search around for someone to take your money on the way out. Props to the girl who calls it the Natty O - I call it that now too. read more

This is my go to restaurant. I get take out at least once a week. I usually don't care for vegan restaurants but this does not let you miss the meat. The meals slightly change based on what vegetables are in season. The salad is one of my favorite things. It's the dressing that brings it over the top. I don't know what they put in it, but it's the best dressing I've ever had. The salad usually comes with tons of goodies-pistachios, sun dried tomatoes, and olives. Yummy!!! The potato gnocchi is little delicious potato puffs. Completely addictive and better than any gnocchi I've had before. I love the lentils too. Especially with the injera bread. You know a restaurant is doing well when it has very simple dishes. Yet they make them exquisite. I sometimes dine in. It is nothing fancy. Very homey feeling. But the service is great. Did I mention it is super inexpensive??? Each dish is only four dollars! Go and support a great local business!!! read more

Supremely delicious, and particularly warm and welcoming environment. For those who are trying to reduce our meat consumption while still enjoying cuisine from around the world, it's hard to beat Natural Oasis. read more

Worst food experience I ever had. The front of this dungeon is a herbal supplement shop which I thought was weird. I walk into the dining area at lunch time and there is only one other poor soul in this dimly lit, garage sale style dining room. We both were eating the buffet. The food looked and tasted like it was cooked 4 hours ago and some of it was cold. Don't go here. read more

I live in NYC, the restaurant capital of the world, and this is still our favorite place. Having originally lived in Rochester, I would have never known this place existed if it wasn't for yelp. The food is top notch - and I crave it constantly. Plus, it's all vegan! But don't let that scare you away - the orange ice cream is incredible. If you go, you HAVE to get the chai tea, only served at dinner time. It's THE BEST I've ever had. I can't recommend this place enough - and at only $4 a plate, you eat as much as you want without feeling like your wallet is disappearing. read more

The Lunch Buffet was great! Delicious food and only $9. The lentils and rice were my favorite. I also ordered a coconut milk cold chai tea which was delicious. My only complaint is that some of the buffet options were running low. read more

Natural Oasis - Lunch Buffet with lentils, peas, carrots, and beets - Ethiopian Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I would have to disagree with the cheapest comments on here. I agree that $4.00 for anything is inexpensive but the portions are small for the price, if you get four little bite sized fritters it's hardly a bargain at a $1.00 a fritter. That being said, we ordered everything on the dinner menu but the pizza and salad. Every dish was delicious (a little salty) we ordered second rounds of the fritters, stew and gnocchi. In speaking with the waiter there are many ethnic influences in the variety of dinner dishes, if you want Ethiopian only, head there for lunch. read more

Natural Oasis is not what it seems (to me, from the outside)--it's an absolute hidden gem! Delicious, cheap, and just... incredible. I've lived close by for about four years and never went because I thought it was some kind of... I don't know, alternative medicine shop? Well, I guess it kind of is, but it's not what you think. It's super professional and clean-looking on the inside, and does a great job blending modern interior design with a slight Ethiopian flair. We came for dinner (when there wasn't a buffet) and between two people ordered four dishes (each $4!). Some of my friends said that it takes a while to get food, but we got ours in 10 minutes. They brought out injara bread (albeit not very much) and a nut mix for free when they brought out the first dish (an Ethiopian-style stew), which tasted great. We also ordered pav bhaji, something I can't spell--let alone pronounce--and a risotto. The flavors in each dish were fresh and unique, and they complemented each other surprisingly well. Definitely coming back! read more

I can honestly say I have been working in the city for years and never knew this place had a restaurant in it. Now I know why. My fiance and I didn't actually eat here. It started with the guy at the front desk that asked "Have you ever been here?" without looking up from his cell phone. He then motioned with his head to the back of the building and told us there was water to drink and we could get drinks out of the fridge for an extra charge. We went for a $9 buffet and found 5 items on the table, in 2 small sterno heated serving trays. There was another large bowl of rice off to the side. I was expecting a buffet with multiple items to pick from. I was excited to find this place as it seemed to be vegan, which met many of my dietary restrictions, but when I arrived, I found that the selection was so slim there was only 1 item I could actually eat. I really wished they had a decent selection because they had such good reviews. read more

Great vegan restaurant. Good buffet. I really like the beans and rice. The tomato soup was delicious.

My fiancé and I stopped in on a whim. We were not disappointed! The food was amazing and the staff were super friendly. We would definitely go back again. read more

Charming. Brilliant. Delicious. Unique. A NYC-caliber restaurant. The food is perfectly seasoned, and flavorful without being overwhelming. Each item is a "tapas-sized" portion for $4, so your table can sample a wide variety at a very reasonable price. And *shhhh* it's healthy, too. The staff is always gracious and attentive. read more