Love the name, love the food, love the owners. I ordered the Avila (plantains, carrots, eggplant, cauliflower and other vegetables in a coconut sauce) was SPECTACULAR. I have never had this dish, but since dining here it's been on my mind so much. Each bite was bursting with flavor. The vegetables were wonderfully tender. The portion was large as well. My husband got the Eggplant Masala (garden fresh eggplant sautéed with herbs and spices). It was excellent! Tons of flavor. I believe this was the best eggplant dish I've ever had! The couple running the restaurant are a hoot. They were friendly and hilarious! I had a great experience. 10/10! read more

The Vegetarian - Indian Near Me - St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

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The vegetarian has hands down the best food around - nothing comes close. I wish I could give it 6 stars!

Delighted by the food! I've been coming here since 2018 and it is always the highest quality, the best flavors, and as good as anything you will find in any city. So happy that this chef is still preparing these great dishes. read more

Food was delicious flavorful. I am not vegetarian however I didn't feel like I was missing anything because the food was so delicious and fresh. Atmosphere wasn't anything special but still worth the visit. I will definitely be coming back. read more

I think The Vegetarian has suffered since the pandemic. I visited last night for dinner with two friends. They do mostly takeout, but will serve you in the dining room if you ask. They use paper plates and plasticware...which is fine. We liked our food, especially the naan, which was delicious. Service was spotty--it is only the proprietors running the place. They are a delightful couple, really sweet. The problem came when we ordered a couple of desserts to share: mango ice cream and kheer (rice pudding.) These came in china bowls with metal silverware, both of which were not very clean (black specks of something in one of the bowls, greasy film on one of the spoons.) I wiped these off with my napkin and we proceeded. The kheer was absolutely delicious, but our delight was tempered by the questionable tableware. The mango ice cream tasted good but was hard and crystallized--probably a still-frozen dessert rather than a churned ice cream. I love that this place exists in St. Croix Falls and want to be able to return, but am not sure I will after today's experience. read more

Delicious food, friendly service, take out or eat in. Love the biryanis, the eggplant, Chana masala.

Many years ago, The Vegetarian used to be a staple in far northern Minneapolis. It eventually moved 50 miles northeast to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin but maintains its super vegan-friendly, South Indian menu. I recently got a vegetable samosa ($4.50 for two pieces) and enjoyed it. The masala dosa ($12.50) is vegan by default and tasted good, though I found the dosa to be too thick. The mushroom and pepper uthappam ($12.50) is vegan by default and an unusual dish (I don't think I've ever seen an uthappam with both mushrooms and green peppers). It's a delicious savory pancake. Lastly, the ladoo ($4) is vegan by default and a classic Indian dessert. It's hard to find vegan Indian desserts (though they do exist), and 99.9% of Indian restaurants will fail to offer one. Here the ladoo was oily and crumbly but tasty. If you happen to be visiting the area, which is lovely for its scenic views of the St. Croix River and great hiking, check out The Vegetarian. read more

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Worth the wait! Will be returning soon! First walking into the place, my boyfriend and I were unsure if they were open, as there was no one at the counter. When a man came out from the kitchen, he informed us that only takeout would be available, we were a little bummed but decided to still give it a shot. The food here is easily 10/10, hands down! We ordered the malai kofta, palak paneer, vegetable pakora, mango lassi, and hot Indian tea. Everything was so flavorful, you could taste the love for food with every bite. With vegetarian and vegan options, it's definitely something that will be great for my friends! When our order was ready (a quick 25 minutes later), we learned that since the pandemic hit, they've only had enough staff to do takeout. This small family restaurant still keeps open, despite that. They offered disposable utensils and plates as we paid for our meal. What we didn't get from eating here was the experience of sitting in the dining room, but what we did get were warm, excited faces, with a passion for what they do, and that alone was worth going to The Vegetarian. Needless to say, I will be coming back again and again. read more

TRY IT if their cuisine piques your interest! There is no greater blessing than this restaurant! The Vegetarian's presence in St. Croix Falls is a huge blessing! Chisago City is close to where my family resides, and it's always worth the drive to grab takeout or eat in. I'm grateful for all of your wonderful, considerate, and wonderful dinners. read more

Great food and friendly staff. Loved all the vegan options, especially because we could eat the naan here! Even our kiddos liked their food.

We stopped here while enjoying the gorgeous foliage along the St. Croix River. It was a smart stop for us, My wife is vegan and I enjoy mild Indian flavors. There was good street parking in this small downtown and the crosswalk is marked clearly. The restaurant has good access from the sidewalk and the restroom is accessible , clean and well stocked. It was take-out only but it's so close to State Park picnic areas, that was no drawback. I ordered Mutter Paneer, a mild cream sauce with peas and paneer cheese. They season the food as the diner requests it. My wife ate Bhindi Masala. The wait was less than 15 minutes. We will be back. read more

Excellent food. Simple. Fast. Wish more people were aware of this great venue.

Vegetarian food in St Croix Falls? Yes! But even hard core meat eaters flock to this family run joint because it's THAT good. What's special and amazing is the food here tastes exotic vegetarian...you know - like how properly cooked and seasoned vegetables and grains tasted before "vegetarianism" became a thing and fooled with some 5,000 years ago. Spices and flavors (many family secrets) come together with love and care. It's all seems effortless when Ashok the owner greets with a laugh and smile and makes it fun to be here. After one bite though one can taste all of the hard work. On this visit we grabbed food for takeout on our way up North to eat with friends. Our choices were Palek Paneer (homemade cheese and spinach in a curry sauce) Aloo Gobi (fresh cauliflower with herbs, onions and spices), Veg Curry (no curry powder here it's the real deal.. a complex savory sauce) , Avial (South Indian spices and veggies in a coconut sauce) and Kadahi Mushroom Mutter (mushrooms and peas cooked in a light creamy sauce). Main dishes were accompanied with flavorful rice and crispy Naan. Even on a hot summer day, the spices and layers of flavor are comforting...as if we are in some far away land, sitting in Ashok's home dining room. Nothing processed, one can feel the healthy goodness going down to the soul. Not to be missed is the Indian Tea. An herb, spice and black tea combo. Normally served hot but delicious ice cold - it's a cure for whatever ails you. I'll let the pics call to you. Worth the trip, every time. read more

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I REALLY wanted to love this place, I waited an hour for my food when I was originally told 20 min and it was confusing. Unfortunately the portion size is just so tiny I have to give a bad review. The food is good but greasy and extremely small for read more

The Vegetarian - Number 26 - Indian Near Me - St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

Good food and people! I asked for another yogurt sauce when I picked up my food and they had just ran out but were happy to make a new batch at the end of the night for me! Delicious flavors and comforting food after a long day of hiking. read more

My husband and I met at the Vegetarian when it was a little restaurant on Central Ave in Columbia Heights. Last year, we discovered that they had not closed, but had merely moved to St. Croix Falls. Luckily, we drive through the area quite a bit, and we've had several chances to stop in at this location. We really enjoy all of the dishes here. I've tried most of them, and I would recommend them all. Last time we were here, we were with 1 person who had never had Indian food, and 1 person who had only had it once at a buffet. They were both very pleased! I love to go to a vegetarian restaurant, and I don't have to worry about if things are vegetarian or not. The owner is extremely nice. Although the service has not always been great every time we've been there, it has improved every time, so that's a plus! I would highly recommend that you stop in here and grab a bite! read more

This is probably one of the best Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities area of influence. It is authentic and has amazing flavors, fresh spices and ingredients. The Tamarind Rice is my current favorite but it's the type of place you want to try everything. The space is quiet and simple, with tasteful but understated decorations. Service is charming and quaint. The food and the person making it are the destination however. It is tucked away from the main areas of the Twin Cities but if you're going to Interstate Park or Wild Mountain you definitely HAVE to check this place out. read more

The Vegetarian - Decorations - Indian Near Me - St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

My daughter and I always enjoy eating at The Vegetarian. It's delicious Indian food and they are always willing to accommodate for your spicy likes/dislikes. Their naan is amazing- regular & garlic variety. It's definitely worth a visit when you are in the St. Croix Falls/Taylors Falls area! read more

The flavors of this food are amazing! Everything is made from scratch. The kuchumbar salad and the soups are light but complex and exquisite. The service IS spotty and that is part of the charm. It's real. It feels more European than American in that way. Since there is only one cook it probably isnt the best place for a large group, though. read more

We ate here to celebrate my sister's birthday, who is a vegetarian. This place blew us all away--it was absolutely incredible. The food was out of this world for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. We did not miss the meat at all! The staff were so friendly and courteous and made us feel welcome and comfortable. They also helped us navigate the extensive and amazing menu, which can be slightly overwhelming to first-timers. The only downside to the place is that it was a little on the unclean side. The tables and menus were not quite as clean as I would have liked. read more

Excellent food - but I WISH they would use real plates and silverware instead of all single use styrofoam & plastic utensils for eat in meals. I feel too guilty to eat here! read more

The food is below average. I'd had loved to say good things but I just can't. The two stars are for the filter coffee that my husband really liked. Everything else was just okay. Customer service was bad since the host/owner had a bad attitude that I most definitely did not appreciate. We got the dum aloo, paneer and nan and weren't impressed by any of it. Now don't get discouraged, you may most definitely visit here if there aren't any Indian food spots around, my review is solely based on my experience here. I've had WAY better food. I think the host's bad attitude is what made it worse. read more

How bad can service get at a place ! I guess this place is a classic example of one. Overpriced poor quality , bad service and a don't care overbearing attitude. Traveling with family and finding an Indian vegetarian spot with great Yelp and Google ratings was awesome ! Only till we had lunch here today. Ambience - Bad , Service equalkt bad, food not bad - could have been better. Appetizers were decent but served it all in a platter when we ordered multiple dishes . All the curries tasted the same wth the same base sauce though we technically ordered three different entrees - Malai kofta, Shahi Paneer& Kadai mushroom. Okra masala was the saving grace. Garlic naan was a hard blanket in disguise. The complimentary colored zero flavor rice offered with the entrees was awful , loaded with baking soda while cooking that eating it gets you full and bloated . I would have still given this place a three star if not for the temperament of the possible owner and wait staff, who badly need a lesson or two in "Smile & Customer Service 101! If you are in the area and are craving Indian food , Dine at your own risk ! read more

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Eating here is like having someone create a home-cooked Indian meal for you. The food was outstanding - okra was delicious; even the rice was fragrant and flavorful, and the Uthappam was the best I've had outside India. We were well taken care of, and I couldn't help but notice how each table was carefully cleaned after a party left it. The food was so good, we'll probably be stopping there again on our way back to the Twin Cities to try the dosa! read more

Super good Indian Food in an area where you would not expect to find a good Indian place! The only thing I would say is that the spice level isn't really on par with the Indian I've had before. I usually go for a Medium heat to get some sort of spicy flavor and when I did that here there was still no sort of spice at all, though my Grandfather thought it was spicy so they may have needed to adjust their spice level based on their customer base :) worth going here if you're in the area and have never had Indian before, they do a good job! read more

While on a long weekend escape from Minneapolis, one down-side is most of the restaurants being very similar: nothing against a bar & grill or a standard family restaurant, but the menus are all the same, often not particularly fresh or homemade, and lacking options for the vegetarian among us. You can imagine, then, how excited we were to find an Indian restaurant named The Vegetarian. We were even more excited to read about scratch-made food. And we were most excited of all to have eaten it. Delicious. You've probably read the complaints about the service. They're fair: it's small, there isn't a lot of staff, and it was very busy during our Sunday late lunch. So yes, we waited a while to be served. Things didn't all come together or as quickly as you might hope. And we never did get our gulab jamun: they were forgotten until we got the check, at which point our waiter asked, but frankly we were too full for them anyway. (We were not charged for them.) Everything else--everything--was amazing. The food easily makes up for any issues with service. Probably least impressive was the "taster's menu" appetizer sampler: there was nothing bad about it, but it was typical. The malai kofta (paneer and vegetable croquettes in a creamy tomato sauce) and dumm aloo (potatoes and herbs with nice spices) were fantastic. Best of all was the garlic naan. I'm amazed to have seen a couple complaints about the naan. This is easily the best naan I've ever had, whether homemade or at restaurants, a plate-sized piece, cooked crispy on its edges, chewy inside, plenty of flavorful minced garlic. The meal was the best of our trip, and the garlic naan was the best ever. Fantastic food. read more

My wife, mother-in-law, and I ate here for the first time last Friday, June 8, 2012. Very friendly, although there were a number of family/relatives/friends who were hanging around/helping, so it was hard to know who was on first. We ordered an appetizer mix ('Taster's Menu') that was very good. We also ordered 'Eggplant Masala' which was excellent (I normally have no time for eggplant) - although the serving size seemed small for the $10 price. We also ordered 'Tandoori Nan' bread, which was fresh from the oven and delicious, and a rice dish ('Vegetable Biryani'), which was very good and a HUGE serving. I think we will go back. read more

I love this place! I remember when it was closer to the twin cities. now it's way over in St. Croix Falls, but it is worth the scenic drive. It's a tiny place inside, with a warm fireplace and maybe 12 tables. The food is delicious: the aloo gobi has a rich, browned flavor with lots of layers, the eggplant is creamy and thick with flavor, the pigeon pea soup is tangy-tamarind-delightful, and the onion paratha is beautifully done, with notes of cinnamon and cilantro. the rice is a tad greasy, but it's tasty. you know the best part, even better than the complex spices and flavors? everything is clearly labeled as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and "can be made ____." I felt confident avoiding my allergens when ordering. peace of mind is priceless. Ooh, they also have organic wines for $5! you can drive through taylor's falls and soak up the lovely countryside. i hope you enjoy this little spot as much as i do! read more

Love this place. The owner is awesome to talk to and the food is always great. This is Indian food. The owner is Indian and is a 4 star chef. The menu is set, but ask and he might make you something if you can describe it. Very Friendly, we always meet someone interesting to talk to when there. Can't say enough good about this place. read more

OMG, this place is probably the best Indian food since I can remember. It is not a buffet style which I am most familiar with. We ordered a taster plate as appetizer, nan, avial, and malai kofta. We loved all the dishes and it was nice to see a single chef make everything from scratch. Last Friday night was not busy so it was fine with waiter and 2 other kitchen staff helping with serving meals. We also tried the rice pudding which was also very good. Spiciness seemed to be right on. My dish was mild (avial) which she had the medium spice (malai kofta). Overall, we would come back here again in a heartbeat. read more

A carnivore couple wanted to shake it up a bit and try some Indian cuisine. Turns out many of the Indian options in the twin cities are also vegetarian. Yeesh, I don't have these incisors for carrots! Well this place is close to home and we were bent on trying Indian for the first time. Totally blown away. Five stars if lamb or chicken was in the menu. What can I say? Tiger, stripes, all that We will definitely be back. Nits: too darn quiet. Needs some tunes so I don't feel like I'm eavesdropping. Cost was $65 with tip. Ordered: Cashew nut roll - I hate to be cliche but the flavors absolutely burst in your mouth. Garlic nan - prefect Myore dosa - decedent, delicious, damn big. Wife wasn't thrilled with the soup accompaniment, I liked it. Shahi paneer - prepared medium plus for spiciness. Could have been just a hair spicier for this (mostly) Norwegian. A hit of flavor that makes my mouth water two days later thinking about it. Two beers, Potosi Cave ale and New Belgium 1554. Darn reasonable selection for a small place One riesling wine, unsure on brand. Go there, expand your palate. read more

Wonderful menu, excellent food & great ambiance. Loved the masala dosa!! If you are heading to Taylor's Falls hop over the bridge to St. Croix and eat. You won't regret it. read more

I love coming to the vegetarian when I'm in town, delicious food and I've always experienced great service regardless of what other people here say. They've always been more than kind and welcoming to me I feel like the price for the food is fair considering it's a small town business and it's great quality. I'll continue coming here whenever I get the chance! read more

Delicious food - very home like vibe. Portions are pretty small and a bit expensive but worth it. Gratuity is included even for 2 people which is a bit weird to me but maybe people don't tip and it's necessary. Updated: I had the shits for 2 days after eating here so I lowered the score by one star since it wasn't as good shootingl out as it was coming in. read more

The food is nice but I have my concerns.. Being an Indian I prefer to eat the food I ordered and I am ok if its not the same but tastes exceedingly awesome and that's why the 4 star. We ordered Samosas which are good and then an online chilli uthappam but were served an onion chilli dosa which was good too but I do not know if they do not understand the difference read more

The Vegetarian - Taj Mahal Beer - Indian Near Me - St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin

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We walked in and there were multiple flies swarming the front of the restaurant. We stood there awhile and had to rely on a table already seated for instructions. A person who appeared to be the owner came out with menus and water. The glasses were already on the table, I told him one of the glasses was filthy. He looked at it and said, it looks fine to me. Why a restaurant owner would be argumentative over a dirty glass is beyond me. Then he qualified he response by saying that he wasn't big on hygiene. Uh what!? I paused and said we're about to order and you tell us you aren't big on hygiene? He grabbed our glasses in haste and told us to leave as he walked off. WTF! read more

Had a delicious lunch at The Vegetarian with my family this saturday. The man who served us was so kind and helpful. Would highly recommend the garlic naan and potato dosa and going here in general!! loved it. read more

After driving by this countless times on my way to my grandparent's just north of St. Croix, my girlfriend and I decided to stop by to try some new food and a new place while we were walking around downtown. This place was a big suprise to find in the unsuspecting town of St. Croix. The food tasted great. The Garlic Nan is a must! No spoilers there, just try it and see for yourself. I had the Kadahi Mushroom Mutter and she had the Malai Kofta. The sauces and spices used were used well! They were delicate and light yet rich and delectable. The mushrooms were fresh and had a delicious earthiness to them. Our food tasted great with some rice. I will definitely stop here again for lunch on my way to the farm. This guy who's cooking knows what he's doing! read more

Good flavors, but very small quantities. Skip the fried appetizers, and order the vegan entrees. Kulcha and rice accompanying the dishes are delicious. So is the pindi chana. The hosts are gracious, nice ambience and the restaurant is very clean. read more

vegan oasis on our road trip! we got the stuffed pancake and eggplant masala and they were both delicious. I always appreciate that you can increase the spice level. The owner stopped to talk with us and he was very nice too. read more