Blind Faith Cafe

I had an evening to myself while staying in Evanston, so I took myself out to dinner at Blind Faith. It was great! Good portions, lots of choices, and a team that obviously cares about being there. I had the bibimbap (well seasoned, delicious, very filling), and orange mojito (strong, refreshing, not too sweet), and the chocolate peanut butter cake with raspberry sorbet (rich and satisfying, and decadent for breakfast the next day).

I love this place, the food is excellent. The portions are great. Prices are super high, there are many options for vegans and vegetarians. Our waiter was nice but he forgot about us a few times and there wasn't that many people in the restaurant. I highly recommend this place, hoping you don't get the same waiter.

I enjoyed my wonderful meal. It's been long while since I last visited. My server, Charlie, was a pure delight. It is unfortunate that you no longer have Chili on the menu.

Celebratory Dinner – A Cozy Vegetarian Gem We visited to celebrate my sister’s upcoming wedding, and despite being a party of fourteen (yes, fourteen!), the staff managed to accommodate us with grace and good humor. It was a tight squeeze, but we made it work—and the cozy, charming ambiance helped set the tone for a joyful evening. We kicked things off with a trio of appetizers: fried Brussels sprouts, nachos, and stuffed ricotta balls. The Brussels sprouts were crisp and well-prepared, though not my personal favorite. The nachos, however, were a standout—easily the best I’ve ever had, with layers of flavor and perfect crunch. The ricotta balls were satisfying, though they could’ve used a touch more seasoning to really shine. For my main, I had the spinach lasagna. It was generously portioned and hearty, ideal for a chilly evening. That said, I found myself wishing for a bit of salt and pepper—oddly, none was on the table. I also sampled my dad’s black ginger tofu, which was a hit with the rest of the table but tasted a bit bland to me. Dessert was a delightful assortment of bite-sized treats: vegan chocolate cupcakes (absolutely divine), almond balls, berry crumble, and a coffee-infused square. The cupcakes stole the show—rich, moist, and indulgent without being heavy. Overall, this is a solid pick for vegetarians and anyone looking for a welcoming, flavorful dining experience. The staff was friendly, the space was cute, and while a few dishes could use a seasoning boost, the highlights more than made up for it. Would definitely recommend, especially for those nachos and cupcakes!

A great restaurant with a good selection of both vegetarian and vegan dishes on the menu. Friendly staff in a relaxed atmosphere. I recommend the black bean and ginger over jasmine rice and the lasagne (which has cheese). A bonus is the attached bakery - carrot cake, cranberry bars, BFC cupcakes and more. My wife commends the Chai latte with oatmilk.

Delicious! Staff was so friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating! Loved that they have both vegan and vegetarian meal offerings for our mixed family. 10/10 would recommend!

On Sunday for lunch the restaurant was buzzing with customers but good table was still available. Five stars and double for everything: excellently prepared fresh and tasty dishes, satisfying portions, warm and attentive servers. As a visitor to Chicago, this was the best food and cheerful, comfortable atmosphere that I found.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but my friends are. I'm not.ne to vegan food and I do like it and enjoy it a lot. Food was really good, big portions . Service was good , i liked drinks too. 1 thing was disappointing tables were very sticky and seemed unsanitary. Overall I had good time with friends and enjoyed food.

Checked out this hip vegetarian restaurant in Evanston. It has been a long time favorite and has a casual classiness to it unlike many others. Blind Faith Cafe has a pretty great selection of things to choose. Prices can be high but that's to be expected and usually it's worth it. The menu includes things like burgers and salads. Bigger than expected to be honest. It's got a lot of room for banquets and parties. There's quite a few tables. A lot of things to like about it. The prices are one thing not to like though. It's about $17 for the cheapest entrees. Many of these are a lot more. I got the Blind Faith Burger. Pretty typical looking. This comes with a choice of a side. She had the Gardein Chicken Sandwich, which is plant based except for the mayonnaise on it. The rest of the menu includes bakery items like cookies and pastries. For sure this is one of the pioneers of vegetarian places around the area. It's closed Mondays. They accept reservations.

This was the third time in a few years we were at Blind Faith. The other time I went I think I would have rated it higher. But today I found that the prices had gone up plus the amounts of food were massive. I ordered the Mongolian stir fry. My dining partner ordered the quiche. Truly I wish we would have ordered one entree and split it, as we both ended taking half home. Plus, I guess we dined here after eating at pretty fine dining place where prices were comparable and presentation was better. Granted, we did not have half of our food to take home. I prefer less food (lower prices then?) and perhaps more original presentation. The service was good. The ambiance was fine!

Absolutely delicious. We all loved, but we got (including 3 non-vegetarians)! I've been a vegetarian for 15 years and this is one of the best vegetarian experiences I've had!

I've only tried their baked goods, but everything was delicious and I could tell they used high quality ingredients. My friend and I shared a slice peanut butter chocolate cake which is their most popular one also. The cake was perfectly moist and the peanut butter frosting wasn't too overwhelming or sweet. The chocolate frosting had a velvety texture and the chocolate was a delicious semi sweet chocolate. It was the perfect combo of chocolate and peanut butter. I'll definitely have to come back to try their brunch menu and other items. Great place to hang out and get some coffee and baked goods. There's lots of free neighborhood parking around the area. The service was friendly and efficient.

Excellent and very fast service. I tried the Seitan Marsala, which I liked more than I anticipated. The desserts at the table behind me looked absolutely delicious but I am not a dessert guy. I'm not a vegetarian but I would absolutely come back and try a few more items on the menu.

So so so disappointed. We ordered take out and 2 of the 3 items were terrible. The breaded cauliflower was supposed to be fried, but it was soft, mealy and soggy. The spinach lasagna's tomato sauce was gross. It was more like a weird gravy. No tomato flavor at all. The only good item was the BBQ Seitan sandwich.

I have been dining at Blind Faith Cafe for decades and always appreciate their vegan options and excellent service. However, I was very disappointed when I ordered the tofu chilaquiles with salsa verde, and it was so over-the-top spicy that I couldn't eat it. I've had this dish many times before, and it was always flavorful but not spicy to the point it hurt. (I am wondering if ghost pepper got sprinkled onto it?) Since I didn't want to waste the food, I told our server that it was way too spicy and that I'd take it to-go for a family member. (When my family member ate it later at home, he even said it was very, very spicy and he has a much higher tolerance for spicy food than I do.) Instead of the chilaquiles, I ordered a salad for lunch. The cobb salad was refreshing and flavorful, and I liked that the Gardein cubes were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Since it was cold outside I had really wanted a warm meal, but in the end, the salad satisfied me. The decor is trendy and earthy. As I stated above, we received attentive service. We had made reservations for lunch, and I specified that we preferred a booth, which they kindly gave us. The host even let us choose which one.

Everything is consistently outstanding! We always find ourselves ordering the same delectable dishes because they are simply irresistible. The service is exceptional--friendly and attentive, making us feel right at home. The ambiance adds to the charm; it's inviting and cozy, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that enhances our dining experience.

I was looking for a Small Bite before a show and I had always wanted to try Blind Faith Cafe. I'm glad I did. The service was great. My server recommended the Corn Meal Muffin. It was fantastic and the coffee was hot and smooth. I can't wait to return another day.

This place is fine. I've visited a number of times and my food (as well as friend's) has been ok. At the price point, I'd expect more flavorful dishes - I've had soggy rice a number of times, as well as rather lackluster sauces/overall dishes. Their dessert selection looks amazing but I've never tempted anything after my disappointing meals. Vibe is rather 70s diner which makes the ambiance a bit strange. I so badly want to like this place but I've been let down multiple times.

BBQ seitan sandwich - flavorful and hit the spot! Highly recommend especially for the summer feels!

Really, I just can't go there again, after years of BF being my favorite neighborhood restaurant. I must have forgotten my 2012 experience and went again a few years ago, when I thought my pasta was microrwaved: plate was very hot, food dried out with main dish cold. Yesterday, made same mistake. Ordered Enchilada Verde. Again, plate arrived at table very hot, as server warned. But scoop of rice was dried out, fresh greens on plate were hot (?) and the enchilada's center was cold. Considering the condition of the rice, fresh greens, and the enchilada, don't tell me this dish (the entire dish) wasn't microwaved. Promised topping of guacamole, not hot, a tablespoon portion, was obviously added after the plate was microwaved. Their food is just not freshly made to your order. Done.

Stopped in while in the Evanston area. Ordered flautus and an omelet full of red bell peppers, green bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Had house potatoes and a corn muffin with it. Must admit that it was definitely some good eating compared to what I've had at several vegan restaurants. Big ups for attentive service. Will have to try a few other menu items.

The most pleasant dining experience we have had since moving to Evanston in April. Food is delicious, even if you don't like vegetables. No TV, nice background music, lovely servers. Make a reservation so they can prepare properly for you. They'll appreciate it! Gluten free and vegan available.

Very delicious and filling. Definitely worth a visit to Evanston from the northern suburbs. Excellent service too!

A vegetarian cafe? How good could it be? Well... Blind Faith is pretty damn great. Probably one of the most sinful, decadent, and hearty vegetarian food I've had. Ordered the enchilada and it was sooooo good. Would have loved it even more if the enchilada was more balanced with more protein sources like beans / legumes instead of it being so carb-heavy. But hey, it was good. Definitely think it's a place worth going to if you're in the Evanston area and someone in your party is vegetarian or you simply want to cut down on meat. You're honestly not going to miss the lack of meat. Their dishes are especially great for the upcoming winter.

Food is amazing! Service is great and the chocolate cake reminds me of my childhood! Tastes exactly like my mom's!! I sat there after having some of the most delicious empanadas wondering if I had just eaten while in PARADISE! It was as my first time eating there, and that was in December. I must admit I've been back numerous times since and am considering visiting tomorrow! You won't be disappointed! Must visit!

It's beyond friendly from everything from everything to vegan, GF, keto just everything. They do use fresh ingredients. Like literally you can taste it in your mouth. Come there anytime, enjoy good food and drinks. Take some amazing dessert with you too. Customer service is fanatic, mostly come on weekdays during lunch. Always have a fantastic time.

Amazing food, good service. But buyer beware: if paying with credit card, the restaurant charges a 3.5% processing fee. You can ask them not to do so. Read the fine print in bottom of menu. I'm not an expert here, but I do wonder how they can get away with this. Illinois state law prohibits charging more than 1%. https://merchantcostconsulting.com/lower-credit-card-processing-fees/illinois-credit-card-surcharging-laws/

We come here for a family dinner maybe once a year since my sister in law is vegan. I hear their cocktails are very tasty and fresh. My father in law got the Margerita and my husband got the mojito. Waiter is very attentive and we got our food pretty quickly. Guacamole - this was a very large portion and perfect for 6 people. We also got additional chips because there was so much guac! The guac was smooth and flavorful Pot pie - crust is butter and filling is creamy. This pairs nicely with the acidic salad Pesto pasta - very flavorful. I like the tomatoes that add an acidic flavor. This was also a big portion and we took half home. I added red pepper flakes at home and it was great the next day too Tiramisu - pretty standard and tasty Decaf latte - very creamy and had a full flavor

We made reservations for our party of 9 and were seated promptly. The restaurant was pretty full for Mother's Day and our server was very attentive and took our beverage orders immediately. Though there was only one vegetarian amongst our party, there were plenty of tasty and healthy for everyone. An order of Kamoosh for the table (tortilla chips, black beans, avocado, sour cream and melted cheese served bubbling) was quickly devoured. We had tostadas, eggs, fried rice, gluten free banana pancakes, Aztec hash. We also sampled peach cobbler, amazing tiramisu and peanut butter and chocolate layer cake. We agreed that the tiramisu was the best. As someone who generally tries to limit carbs I would welcome more vegetable options (there are salads) and egg dishes without carbs included. We had a wonderful meal and I should make a point to come back and sample the salads next time.

I really love the ambiance. I decided to take myself out on a date. I wanted something healthy so I did a search for "healthy foods" and Blind Faith came up. The server was very attentive. My salad came right up. It was a bit spicy due to the red onions. I plan to go back to try out the other salads on the menu.

The menu has changed a little over time, but the atmosphere and feel good feeling has never changed after a wonderful vegetarian meal from here. Just an FYI, EVERYTHING is vegetarian here. The chef owns the restaurant if I'm not mistaken which is pretty awesome. The service is always efficient, and I'm never kept waiting for too long. The Bakery always has something fun and tasty especially around the holidays. If you enjoy vegetarian cuisine then you can't go wrong here. I highly recommend the Enchilada Verde and a Sugar Cookie.

Consistently terrific vegetarian fare in a neighborhood favorite. Blind Faith has been here forever, but never feels dated. Great desserts too.

Blind Faith Cafe was so good! My wife and I had dinner here before a show at SPACE Evanston, which is literally around the corner. I am so glad we stopped in. The atmosphere and staff were super nice. The food was even better! I had the Shitake Walnut Loaf and my wife had the Kung Pao. Both were very good! Also fun is that each dish has its own unique plate they serve it on. We noticed this looking around the room at all the other amazing plates being served. We were in town to celebrate my wife's birthday. Our waitress must have seen the birthday card on our table and without being asked, brought a complimentary cupcake for her, complete with icing and a candle! So thoughtful.. and so yummy. This will definitely be out go to spot in Evanston!

This is a hidden gem! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the food as a full fledged non vegan meat eater. Started with the flautas and wasn't a fan, I Didn't care the the mushy texture. I loved the kung pao, very flavorful, so good I forgot it did have any animal protein in it. The Thai peanut noodles were also very tasty. We got some chocolate truffle balls and they delish and not overly sweet. I ordered the peanut butter chocolate cake and I didn't care for it. It had a dense texture and unpleasant after taste. I'm overall happy and would definitely be back.

This place is amazing - great service and vegetarian food in a charming little cafe. We were even able to make reservations for Saturday brunch for 10 the night before. Perfect! Their pancakes are really amazing - I don't normally eat those, but I would order them every time I came here. We all tried lots of different things from the rice bowl to the chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. The omelets are HUGE and floofy and the homemade sauces had lots of flavor. Service was excellent for our large group. I highly recommend.

I've been visiting this spot for the past 12 years!! Such a classic and reliable option for any meal.. the servers are fantastic and knowledgeable, some of the staff are true veterans. I would recommend their omelets and the Thai peanut noodles. I was even pleasantly surprised of the great quality when I ordered for delivery once... I'll do that again!

Global Vegetarian Restaurant with Vegan Options Food: I normally order a ton of items but I was warned that the portion sizes are huge (they really are) so I only got 1 dish today. I ordered the Kung Pao (labeled vegan), per my server's suggestion, and it was on point! The flavor was delicious and it had a "kick" to it. The cucumber and carrot side was so refreshing as well. Definitely one of the better vegan Kung Pao dishes I've had. Atmosphere: I came during lunch and the service was very good and speedy. My server made great suggestions and I loved my entree. While I could tell how busy he was, he constantly checked on me and I never had to search for him. *I LOVE a place that gives a free item when you check-in*

Blind Faith Cafe was among the very first vegetarian restaurants I visited over a decade ago. Having recently moved back to the Chicagoland area, I was pleased to stop here after a visit to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. The offerings are mostly simple and straightforward with a bend toward healthy fare, but it can lean a little pricey. I had the Hot Oven Grinder, which was tasty: Smoked gouda, mustard, mayo, mushrooms, onion, tomato and avocado served hot on our grinder roll finished with alfalfa sprouts 13.50 The menu says that their sandwiches are served with dressed greens or sweet potato fries, but the waitress also offered regular fries so I went with that option. My husband had the Vegetable Gardein Pot Pie, which he also enjoyed: Carrots, potatoes and peas, corn, cauliflower, mushrooms, onions, roasted gardein and cream topped with homemade pastry, baked golden brown, served with dressed greens 15.50

Blind Faith Cafe is my go-to to meet my cousin from the northern suburbs. Both of us always have a great time and great food experiences. The wait staff is always friendly and accommodating. Hope to go back again in a few months.

Came in on a Saturday night with a friend. We were seated promptly, and the service was excellent! The food was wonderful! I had tofu in a spicy sauce ( can't remember the name of it) and it came with brown rice. One of the best vegetarian meals I have ever had! Love this place and I'm so glad my friend drove me there from downtown! If you are near Evanston do try!!

Service was good. Food was mediocre. Price was high. I think at a time when more restaurants are offering good vegan/vegetarian food, Blind Faith really needs to up its game.

Came here for dinner on a Friday night for the first time in my life during Covid. I am fully aware of this restaurant and have been for over 25 years since I was in high school. From the photos you can tell we ordered quite a few appetizers and entrées as well as two desserts. Everything was amazing and delicious we could not stop eating and we definitely will be back. Pricing and portions are fair considering this is technically downtown Evanston area. Luckily did not need reservations but they are practicing social distancing. Parking on the street was not difficult this particular evening however it does cost money. Our server was very relaxed casual and friendly which made the evening even more enjoyable. This is a must visit and I can't wait to return.

I wasn't looking for a vegetarian restaurant. I was looking for a quick place to eat with easy parking. I've never been a fan of vegetarian foods, and when I opened the menu, that's all there was...and gluten free (not my fav). I ordered the rancheros and my daughter ordered the gluten free pancakes. It was expensive but well worth the money. The food was top notch...mine came with a side of rice and beans (spiced to perfection) which gave the meal a little kick. Pancakes are pancakes and I didn't try them but there were no complaints from the "peanut gallery". My iced coffee was spot on and I left very satisfied, with a thank you from my tastebuds. Long and the short of it...a must try

Stopped by on a whim as we were in the area and saw they had outdoor seating. Just an FYI, there isn't any handicap parking anywhere nearby. We drove around and finally ended up getting out in the ally and wheeling over. We haven't been here in many years so I was excited to try some of our old faves. Ordered some drinks to start. My SO had the Hefe Weizen beer & I had a drink similar to a cosmo but it was made with Pomegranate liqueur, vodka, lime and something else but can't remember & it's not on the online menu however it was AMAZING! It packed a punch and tasted like juice. Yum! For dinner I had the Bibim Bop Rice Bowl. Just as I remember, if not better! Egg was perfectly over easy. Everything was nice and hot except the marinated cucumbers which was a nice palette cleanser. The spice factor of the grilled seitan was perfect. Just enough to feel it on your lips without killing your tastebuds. My SO had the fajitas "the old way" made with a red sauce instead of bbq. It was reminiscent of the old way but we didn't expect it to be the same. It was very good. Only thing I'd suggest (for both meals) is to cut the seitan smaller so the sauces & char cover more because we have to cut those big ol pieces. With the Yelp checkin we got some chocolate cake bites and they were a bit dense and nice and chocolaty.

I drove 40min on a Friday afternoon with a giftcard in tow, and the second I walked in the staff was incredible. Attentive, kind, and fun. I didn't get his name, but the person who helped me with my to-go order was such a treat! Said he'd worked there for 17 years!! I had to text my sister as I waited for my food because just watching the staff interact was so special. So much laughter and smiles, i'd never seen anything like it! I highly recommend this spot.

Lovely vegetarian restaurant in Evanston near Trader Joe's / Frio Gelato! Overall, really solid variety of quality food that is friendly to many dietary restrictions. The restaurant ambiance, especially in the evening, is also very warm and upscale-casual. My friend and I agreed that the risotto cakes were pretty average, but we loved our entrees (thai peanut noodles / yellow curry). The portions were also extremely generous -- I had enough leftovers for lunch the next day! Dined: October 15, 2022

This Cafe is great if you're a non meat eater. The menu is quite extensive with fusion of cuisines and everything is vegetarian. They have a full bar, smoothies, and desserts. We were a group of 6 and some of the dishes that we ordered were the vegetarian pot pie, tostadas, Cantonese fried rice, enchiladas and Thai fried noodles. Everyone was pretty satisfied with their food. I was a bit disappointed in the Thai fried rice it was soggy and not very flavorful. I tried the Cantonese fried rice and it was really delicious. For dessert we got the peanut butter chocolate cake and the tiramisu. The tiramisu was really good. The service was friendly. Overall the food here was good for the most part but nothing memorable.

Would like to see more vegan options on the brunch menu. Especially now that there are decent egg substitutes out there, I'd think a vegetarian/vegan place like this would have more room to experiment. Ordered the Vegan Mexican Breakfast here recently, which was excellent, but they left out the tortillas. For non-vegans, the Tofu Scrambled Eggs are awesome, as I recall. Have also heard good things about the Aztec Hash. For desserts, their vegan options are really heavy on the chocolate. If you don't like chocolate, that doesn't leave you with many choices. I've heard raves about the vegan chocolate cupcakes from their bakery, but where are the vanilla cupcakes? (Okay, yes, they now have peanut butter and carrot cake, but still, no vanilla?) All that said, their dinner menu is pretty broad and vegan-friendly, so this restaurant is still worth a visit.

My favorite place to eat in Evanston area, hands down! Never been disappointed, but sometimes there could be more food on the plate! I haven't tried any desserts - they look gorgeous, but also highly caloric. I'm almost a vegetarian, so I go with a vegetarian friend, but, unfortunately, most of my other friends have not been as enamored as I am! Thanks for being there, Blind Faith, and may you stay for years to come!

My first encounter with seitan was with Blind Faith in the early aughts when I was newly vegan. 24 years later they still have some of the best seitan I've tried since! My current go-to is the Seitan Marsala, never fails. Their vegan desserts are rock solid too. I appreciate that they are still around!

A fantastic variety of vegetarian and vegan options here. I love the enchiladas Verdes, but there is so many options. It can't be hard to choose! That's a good problem to have.

Relaxing ambiance and fresh, delicious food. Especially like the pad Thai and every single salad.

Amazing food, my aunt and I have traveled 8 hours back to Chicago twice now just to go to this restaurant. We love the peanut noodle salad, it is incredible. The atmosphere and staff are always wonderful as well.

Very overpriced. First I was told fruit bars were $4.99 then when person rang up said they were $6.50 and everything went up? Two bars, one cobbler, over $19.00. Delicious but very high priced.

Outstanding restaurant. All choices are tasty. The waiters are friendly and helpful this is one of our favorite places. And it is veggie.

Good seitan chicken pot pie, seitan bbq beef. The best desserts!! We bought extra desserts to go.

the ambiance of the restaurant was dark. the salad, I think, had seitan and i did now want that with my salad. price is high. a tostada was about 15 or 17 dollars. the personnel. menu has changed since what was on the website. i can not eat spicy foods, and i do not eat red meat, or cheese. while at the table, the workers would stop by and look.