Ital Kitchen

My favorite kind of restaurant is one where you feel like you’ve walked into someone’s home, and Chef Michael delivers in every way! Delicious food, cozy atmosphere, and wonderful conversation. If you’re looking to just eat quietly by yourself and leave, this is not the place

One of the best meals I have ever had! Truly delicious and I felt so good afterwards! Michael is a perfect host and chef and the conversation was delightful. You gotta go!!

Great wholesome food full of amazing flavors. A true ital experience! Loved everything we got and would totally come back to try more of the food.

I thought I came over to my family's house to have dinner the way the service was so homely. Even the customers who came in after us I thought were friends with the owner due to the comfortable conversation they were having. Amazing place to have something healthy to eat late in the evening. Intimate, warm, cozy, and full with love and gorgeous plants. Mix max colorful caribbean-style decorated spot. We were going to take it to go, but decided to stay and enjoy the lovely atmosphere. It's not a place for large groups, but a romantic date or hanging out with a couple of friends would be fitting. We can't wait to return and try other dishes on the menu.

The atmosphere both inside and outside is welcoming, and gives a very at-home ambiance. The backyard is vibrant with its art and various couch setups, and was the perfect place to enjoy vegan food and good music. Can't wait to try more from the menu!

Michael (the owner) is the NICEST. Lovely eclectic decor, lots of seating for a small place. Food was uniformly great: tender, moist, well-seasoned. The veggie jerk chicken was particularly awesome! Also, don’t miss the “Yes I” smoothie.

This cozy restaurant was like stopping by a family members house for a good home cooked meal. In this case sooooo good. We ordered the Ital Veggie Jerk Chicken and the Thai-Fi Stew. Absolutely delicious, seasoned well, and made with a whole lot of love. Then we ordered the carrot cake. It was so good that we ordered another piece and it was the last piece of cake. We will be back.

Walking in with low expectations made the good food even better. I was delighted by the experience. This place deserves praise specifically for customer attention. This place respects quality and your wallet. We've already decided to return.

Amazing place to slow down and unwind from the day over great food. Definitely not the place to be if you're in a rush but the vibes here are fantastic. Chef Michael is a talent. Everything we had was delicious. We got the Veggie Jerk Chicken and the Stir it up Nice and finished up with some roasted plantains. Flavorful dishes that were nourishing without feeling heavy. I think my friend and I were there for over two hours on a Tuesday night catching up and slowly eating. It was a lot of fun.

Returned here a few years later because I remember how good the food before was. And I was delighted to be right once again! Vegetarian Caribbean food, need I say more?! The flavors are bangin'! The staff is so nice and the ambiance has a relaxing and grounding energy. The food is no-frills, pure amazing, healing flavor. I think the price was a little high for the portion size, but the quality of the food and the fact that they have to run their business, I understand. The kitchen is right in front and you can see the owner and staff making the food in real-time which is so homey, like another Yelper has said before. Me and other customers were even asked if we wanted more rice with our food which again reminds of loving home-cooked meals. Hope to come back often!

Food is fresh and tasty. The service was good and the price was a fair price for the portion amount and flavorful cuisine I have experienced. I'm a repeated customer. Live, love and laugh. - Sha

Second time coming here ! Amazing ambiance that is both relaxing, calm, and home-y. It's a quiet reprieve from the hustle of nyc that allows you to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal. Service is also top notch and Chef Michael is such a kind individual that makes you want to come back. Can't recommend enough !!!

I ordered from this spot on Uber eats. Looking at the pictures, I opted for the jerk veggies. When the order arrived I wasn't sure what was in front of me, it looked like mush and I even thought that the delivery person gave me the wrong order. After skimming their reviews I realized it was my order, but that the item looks nothing like the image associated with the order. The flavor profile was subpar and I ultimately couldn't get through more than three bites. I keep hearing about this spot and was excited to try it but at the price point of real oxtails for a plate of mush, it's a no for me

I have been craving a fantastic , not fried, fresh ingredient style vegan dish. I jumped for joy when the first bite reached my mouth. It was a tough battle between the Thai curry and the Noxtail. Not only was the food incredible but I felt invigorated and full of energy after. The place is humble and comforting. The owner is a gem. I would give more stars if I could. Best Vegan I have had in a long time.

The food is out of this world. Vegan food can be flavorful and delicious. It's here! I hosted a private event in this restaurant and I'm so happy that I did because my guests loved the food. I had a guest who couldn't eat gluten and she still had food to eat. The backyard is beautiful and inside feels like a home. You must order the stir fry.

I had turmeric stew and a piece of carrot cake for dessert. The stew's flavorings were well balanced and the vegetables cooked perfectly. The portion of carrot cake I was served was huge. I wasn't expecting a buttery/creamy icing. But it was also delicious as was everything about this place. Very comfortable back patio that you get to through the kitchen. Chill music and furnishings. I'll come back here.

Unpretentious. Healthy. Flavorful. Vegan. Ital is vital you're into that sort of thing. Kitchen is an appropriate name because you as you enter, you feel like you've entered someone's home. It's nestled in between apartment buildings on either side and likely was a home in its past. The chef does his work in an open kitchen so if you want you can watch the construction of your meal. The food has a decidedly Caribbean style and kick so there are vegan takes on curry dishes and brown stews with clever names. But they avoid simple mimickry and allow the vegetables to star on their own with some substantial stews and salad options. We had the Spicy Green Thumb salad which offered avocado toast and mixed greens with a delicate balance of a vinaigrette dressing. It came highly recommended and I see why. The Veggie Jerk Chicken, like the other mock meat stews are served over a traditional Caribbean rice and peas pilaf. Like all "jerks" it has a kick so if you wantt to avoid spicy you might want to try the milder curry or Red Stepper stews. The wait staff was polite, the vibe complete with Bob Marley and the Wailers transported you to a plant based paradise. Next time we look forward to trying the fresh juices. Because we're into that kind of thing.

Wowsers. *insert crazy eyes* lol, so ummmm! Am I being punked?! I read the stellar 5 star reviews and bookmarked this place and randomly happened to be in the area, so stopped in. I walked into a very homely, dim almost dark restaurant and a lively host standing in an open kitchen welcoming me in. Okay!? So I asked, "do I order here?" (As in here in the kitchen). o_O. I was like okay, just roll with it, I'm hungry. I ordered the seemingly overpriced Jerk 'chicken' at $15 for what felt like a hole in the wall. The brown rice and peas was really good, but the jerk chicken was nothing amazing. I mean the restaurant is true to its name--Ital Kitchen. Vegan fare, real vibesy and practically the size of a kitchen. But how on earth did they manage to get a walk thru open kitchen approved. Not a commercial, Buca di Beppo we'll give you a tour of where the magic happens type. More like room for about four people comfortably cramped kitchen that you HAVE to walk through to get to the back yard patio. How?! I got my food to go, but watched as two people did a walk thru, dapped up the chef, browsed the backyard and walked back out. I'll have to pass on this one.

What a hidden gem right by the Brooklyn Museum! Chef Mike prepared a delicious spicy curry and vegan jerk chicken over basmati rice while we soaked up the chill vibes in the gorgeous outdoor garden. Thanks to Lauren for taking good care of us. Can't wait to come back!

Incredible flavor, relaxed cosy environment, superb patio! Some of the best food I've eaten in the neighborhood. Very well balanced tastes in the dishes, not too saturated, not too excited.. but nice and wholesome. Ital = Vital and they keep it true. There's a chef and a sous chef/server. Big respects for holding it down in a humble way! If the weather is right, go to the patio (it's behind the kitchen, so make sure not to bump into the chefs).. natural and unpretentious layout. Matter fact the whole place is unpretentious so take your fine dining somewhere else.. come here for the flavor, the culture, the ambiance, and supporting local economies! Only downside, I didn't find it sooner

Hard to find organic food in NYC. This place has fantastic food and a really unusual and relaxed energy to it. The one person working at the restaurant is the host, server, and chef all at the same time. Just eat a snack before you arrive so you don't mind waiting a little longer for your food. Great flavors, homey ambiance, and they have chess!

This place is a one man show. His vibes are immaculate. The food is great and the music is chill. Get some ganja in your system and have a great night at this delectable little place.

Mike is a master chef - meticulous about his craft and its reflected in the food and ambiance. Going to Ital is always a good idea.

Nah. Food Good. But never open. Well For Me that is. I've tried to patron this business countless times. Walked in only to look as though I'm interrupting a dinner when clearly the time says 11pm. I walk in at 9:30. Change the time!!!! I call no one answers. I'm done!! Food is good. I can't lie but the service is a nill. I'm good. #respectfully

Ital Kitchen is amazing! I'm so glad I found out about this place and already can't wait to come back. For an appetizer, I started with the plantains and of course they were delicious. Perfect consistency! I've also tried the Thai-fi stew, the turmeric stew, and the veggie jerk chicken. The veggie jerk chicken was my favorite and I couldn't get enough of it. Hands down I would order it again! The Thai-fi stew was my second, then the turmeric, but honestly all three were amazing, I'd be happy to come back for all again. The staff was pleasant and the service was very fast. The atmosphere is very colorful, casual, and comfortable. There is even a patio out back where you can eat, which I took full advantage of and highly recommend in warmer weather. The best part, though, is that Ital Kichen is BYOB and has no corkage fee! It's definitely worth taking advantage of, and I can't wait for the weather to get warmer again so I can come back and have the veggie jerk chicken with a bottle of wine on their patio.

I was lucky enough to visit Ital Kitchen BK a few months ago. Chef Michael Gordon is passionate about healthy, vegan cuisine. Ital Kitchen's all-natural (mostly vegan) menu not only boosts energy, but also serves to show the world that vegan food can taste amazing. It's a small, intimate atmosphere- very colorful and relaxed vibe. Everything is cooked-to-order. The vibrant fruit smoothies are a great start to the meal, and we loved the Kale the Queen salad. Lots of spice and flavor in the Thai-fi stew. I'm hoping to visit Ital Kitchen again! Support Black-owned businesses!

Top-notch, Unique Vegetarian and a Neighborhood Gem. An amazing restaurant that has immediately entered into our regular repertoire. What a find! Off of Franklin Ave below Eastern Parkway, this may be one of the best restaurants in the area. Spectacular flavors and special dishes that are heavenly to any vegetarian and can stand on their own two feet fabulously even for non-vegetarians! Mind blowing veggie jerk chicken using finely chopped seitan. Excellent thai curry stew. And solid veggie burgers and quinoa salads. A place in which you want to end up trying everything on the menu. Cant wait to try more Very nice people running the joint as well. Looking forward to eating here more often and supporting this local establishment!

Was honestly pretty hungover and this place saved my life -- Delicious veggie burger and green juice (both very flavorful and fresh) and I feel like a human again. Great food. Great vibe. Great service.

If you don't like feeling like you went to someone's house for a delicious vegetarian home cooked meal, this place isn't for you. Ithal Kitchen is definitely a VIBE, a laid back special tasty vibe. No one is rushing and that adds to the flavor. Every ingredient is giving space to shine and your stomach leaves oh so delighted. I love walking to and from Ital Kitchen - I always know no matter how indulgent I want to be here everything is healthy for the most part. Their fresh juices and shakes are amazing come thruuu!! There lunch special is delicious and dinner menu packs a lot. The kitchen is very close to the inside seating so you can always peek in and see your meal being prepared or chat with the people preparing your food. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This place is amazing, it's definitely a magical place for me.

Efficient takeout procedure, they're working really hard. The food is awesome and was a welcome Friday night takeout during COVID. Everything felt safe and careful. We got the veggie Jerk Chicken and the Noxtail. Both were delicious and felt great to be eating super clean. There was the right amount of everything, the rice is a rice blend that's really good, and the flavors are amazing. You might feel a certain way about veggie protein, and if you do come here and let chef show you how it is supposed to be served. Will be coming back.

I love the idea of supporting small businesses and this place is a clear manifestation of one person's hard work and vision for food and hospitality. My friend and I visited on a cold winter night where the owner, Michael, was running a one-man operation. We were warmly greeted into his cozy restaurant, which felt stepping into someone's home. The place is dimly lit, the walls are decorated with eclectic paintings, the tables, chairs and glassware are all different colors. We ordered the ever-popular Jerk Chicken entrée and Thai-Fi Stew, a fresh Caribbean take on Thai curry flavors. Both dishes had just the right kick of spice and plenty of flavor. We also enjoyed the "Kale the Queen" salad with two glasses of the fresh "Beet it Up" and "Greenery" juice. Everything was incredibly fresh and perfectly seasoned, the barley-rice pilaf that came with it was light and fluffy. The kale salad had a light and tangy dressing that paired well with our main entrées. We loved everything we ordered and cleaned our plates. Given that Michael was the only person greeting, taking orders, cooking, serving and doing dishes, it was astounding that everything came out as soon as it did. This is such a delightful vegan joint in the Crown Heights neighborhood, we will definitely be back to try the remaining dishes. Highly recommended if you are in the Brooklyn area!

First time coming here, it's a bit small but cozy. As soon as you walk in you can smell all the delicious aromas in the air. I ordered the Noxtail w/ rice to go. The food is good, but the portions were really small. I'll definitely go back but will dine in hopefully portions will be better when sitting down to eat. If you're paying $21 the portion size should be decent.

I will never recommend this restaurant to none of my friends or family The chef/ owner was kind of rude he asked my man what do you want he told him we want to come in to eat.What happen to Greeting us saying Good Evening Welcome come on in none of that he was not engaging enough for us the food was ok We wont never go back to that restaurant ever again.VM.

My friend and I have been waiting to try this restaurant for a few months. We finally had a chance and it blew our expectations out of the water. Everything is prepared fresh. We shared the "red stepper", which is the vegan alternative to pepper steak - it was beyond delicious. We will definitely be back.

I simply loved this place! My friend and I came upon this restaurant while looking for a place for a late lunch/early dinner. I am a strict vegan and she is not but we both were delighted with the food, service and ambiance of this restaurant. We sat in the beautiful, colorful garden and shared a salad; then my friend ordered the Thai-fry and I ordered the turmeric stew. Both were really good but I must admit that I liked her Thai-fry even better than my stew. I loved that the food is prepared to order in an open kitchen space and all the ingredients are fresh. Wonderful place, wish they served beer and wine, but oh well! I can hardly wait to return!

I love the homey atmosphere in here. It's literally like dining in someone's living room. I love the concept of " homeThe staff is very hard working and friendly. Attentive, giving good advice. We brought our own wine since they are byob. My husband ordered the strawberry lemonade which I'd very gingery. We ended up mixing the lemonade and our Riesling. It was da bomb! On to food. I ordered The fisherman's row which happened to be wild caught salmon with brown rice. The sauce was wonderful. My husband had the jerk chicken, spicy and well seasoned. We shared the avocado salad, fresh mixed greens with lemon juice, good portion. Can I just say, avocado on tostones is the shit! There were about 5-6 of them in the avocado salad. So goooood! For desert, my husband had the strawberry shortcake which he liked. Overall this place is a great choice for dinner. Nice ambiance, great staff and reasonable prices.

Okay okay let me share my experience coming to this dope ambience restaurant. Not too big, not too small. Just enough. But if you want more go to the backyard. It speak volumes. It make you feel to appreciate the ambience of the venue. Now the cook. To see him do what he do. He like an artist in the kitchen, that prepare these dope dishes. Oh I had this one drop drink. Called ,"Yes I" ! Aa berry, sea moss and mango! It was , yummy! The price was little pricey. But, it was worth it. It was yummy yummy in my tummy. They also have a drink called beat it up. I was like whaaaaaaaa... ｡‿｡ But later I found out it was a trick on words. Not beat it up but, beet it up... LoL I was I was going to try it out until I find out one of the ingredients in that drink is, celery. Um no, thank U. SmH You know what next time I'm going to try it.

Great food. Great service and I'm not vegan. I truly enjoyed the cool backyard set-up they have and everything was delicious. Perfect spot for a healthy and hearty meal.

Home run every time. I love this place. Nobody is ever in a rush here and the food is done perfectly.

What a beautiful gem of a restaurant! I found it on yelp and the food was delicious! I had the tai stew, salad and salmon! Great and friendly hostess as well. I look forward to going back with family and friends

The food is delicious and the vibes are really great! Everyone is so kind and the backyard has such good ambiance!

This place made me the best veggie burger I've ever had in my life. It's a must every time I'm working at the Botanical Gardens.

First off, lemme just say, the food here is superb! We had a spicy green thumb salad for starters, which had a delicious vinaigrette drizzled on top and all the vegetables were fresh and made to order. For an entreé, we had the salmon with rice pilaf. When the salmon arrived to the table, it was plated with perfection. Every detail was put into place skillfully as if it came from the hands of a master chef. What was even better than the craftful aesthetics was the taste. Everything on the plate was magnificent: the sauce, the spinach, the fruit and the salmon. They all complemented each other. The salmon was charred flawlessly. To finish off, we ordered the sweet plantain. It was the ripest, sweetest, most delicate and savory end to our meal. Hats off to the chef who prepared everything by himself to order. I highly recommend this clean, laid back establishment to anyone looking for the perfect meal.

Ital Kitchen has great food and serious homely vibes. My friend and I ordered the jerk chicken and turmeric stew. Both dishes were delicious and filling. BYOB ($4 fee per person) The only thing I had an issue with during my visit was the bathroom is located right behind the kitchen. Anyone that has to use to restroom has to pass the open kitchen area where your food is being prepared. I would suggest they add a curtain or a partition to section off the kitchen. Overall my experience was great, but that bathroom situation bothered me.

Best place there is. The food, the chef, the vibe. Don't come here if you are in a rush, but it's a great place

A cozy hole in the wall with delicious vegan foods that tasted fresh. The host was friendly but reserved, and the cook was a joy to watch as he was putting the finishing touches on the food. 5 dishes ordered at our table and not a plate with anything left on it. BYOB You won't be disappointed.

Mannnn oh man what a great Resturant, I'm not vegan or vegetarian but I really enjoyed my jerked so tan . I'm aspiring vegan/ vegetarian & this place makes it easy ... taste like chicken but it's good for ya ! I'll be back for sure

Tasty, healthy, consistent, and fast! My regular go to when i just dont want to cook. Casual environment with close quarters to other patrons but the infectious welcoming vibe makes everyone tolerant and polite. The patio extends tight quarters in the warmer months but this is my year round spot. No desserts so sweet toothers beware but you are on Franklin soooo you got options to walk to. My favs: Kale the queen, juices: (Tumerical Ting, Beet it up, Gingerade), Thai Fi Stew (spicy), Stir it up, Jerk Salmon, Chow Mein, Veg Burger- i've basically eaten everything on menu and love everything so picking a few is hard. Fresh vegan food made fast within view!

Prior to visiting, I called and I got the owner. He proceeded to laugh at my obnoxious questions and I found myself having a great convo with him. I was excited for date night with my boyfriend since we're both doing a plant based diet. We loved our meals. The place is very small and quaint. It's colorful. You can see into the kitchen but that made it genuine and authentic. I recommend the Thai-Fi stew, I ordered this and somehow my boyfriend mistook it for his and ate it. I did at least get to taste it - he had the Jack Curry Fruit. Which means that's what I ate. It was good too. Also, try the baked sweet plantains. I'd go back. A cool find in BK!

I absolutely love this place! I always get the jerk chicken burrito!! Staff is so amazing and friendly!! Perfect small space for a friendly and intimate get together! Garden out front. The back patio is a fun and peaceful retreat! Chess board and bookshelf, lounge seating out back! Hidden gem!

Definitely try this place. I had the "jerk chicken" and it was well seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices and soft and chewy. I liked the spicy flavors. Try the yellow plantains as well. They were soft with a moist texture on the inside. The sugar that hardens on the outside is a nice touch! I want to eat in as it is a nice setup to have the kitchen open to everyone dining in. If they ever move to a new bigger location, keeping that element would be a plus for me and maybe others as well.

Unbelievably delicious vegetarian Jamaican meals made fresh! Definitely a best kept secret that deserves to be busier especially during lunchtime. My fav is the vegetarian jerk chicken stew.

I want to support this business but I am in a lot of pain currently due to the last meal I had which was at this establishment. I ordered the stir fry veggies. Super simple. To the point. Okay flavor. I was happy with the WiFi situation while I ate and everything but my body has been on full revolt since Friday. The indigestion, nausea, all kicked off with stomach grumbles during the late night and I've been on liquids and reiki treatments since. It's been two days: I hope this place gets something checked ASAP because there is no reason for me to be on my couch barely able to be comfortable after eating vegetables and rice. No reason at all.

Cozy and adorable, with the absolute best staff, and incredible food. Me and my (non-vegan) mother had the loveliest experience and I'll definitely be bringing back friends!

This is such a great place to eat. The music and seating is so cozy and relaxing in the back yard. My husband had the Turmeric stew and I had the Salmon dish. They were both delicious. The chef surely has magic up his sleeves in that small kitchen. Thank you for a lovely dinner. We hope to come back again soon.

As soon as I walked in the door, I really wanted to like this place. It's a colorful hodgepodge or furniture and decorations that makes you feel like you're sitting in your auntie's kitchen. I was greeted with a smile and much-needed warmth. Unfortunately, the ambiance was much better than the food. I ordered the Brooklyn chow mein, and was disappointed to find undercooked spaghetti with a not-bad-but-not-quite-good sauce and vegetables. It felt more like something I would have thrown together as an afternoon snack in middle school than an entree at a quaint restaurant in Brooklyn. I'm giving 3 stars instead of 2 (which is really what my meal deserves) since judging from the descriptions of the other entree, I may have picked the weakest link. If that's the case (and I sincerely hope it is) the chow mein should be nixed from the menu.

Checked out Ital Kitchen Saturday night with my beau and it was surprisingly not crowded. We sat and chilled in the patio which you must get to by walking THROUGH the kitchen... strange indeed. I ordered a gingerade and my beau ordered an acai smoothie (made of acai, moss, and a liquid... I think it was orange juice but I'm not 100% sure). My gingerade was great though it was served without ice (on a pretty warm night) and his smoothie was interesting. I've never tasted moss... and the acai in the smoothie was great quality but the moss ruined it by giving the entire smoothie a really odd taste. My beau liked it, I did not. And definitely not for $8. I would recommend they take the acai and make a dessert or a bowl instead of this odd tasting overpriced smoothie. I ordered the jerk "chicken" ($15) and he settled on a salad ($10). Overall I thought both of these dishes were overpriced for the amount of food given. The jerk chicken was more a tofu in a jerk-like sauce with a small side portion of rice. The dish was missing an acid, maybe pickled vegetables or a salad. I felt the dish was lacking. My beau's salad was literally just a variety of lettuce with dressing. Although the salad was fresh and the dressing was tasty it lacked much needed texture and was too plain to come with a $10 price tag. The waitress upsold us into buying a vegan strawberry cheesecake dessert. She forewarned us that it was a small portion and maybe we wanted to buy two. What? Um no, we'll try one. She was vague and was unable to answer many of our questions throughout dinner (like what's in the smoothie? Or is it moss that has that odd taste?) but we went for it (mostly I did being the one with the sweet tooth). The portion was super tiny and the entire dessert tasted of graham crackers which wasn't terrible but again... NOT worth the price tag. I liked the laidback ambiance Ital Kitchen achieves, very rasta. And once you get over the fact that it feels as if you're in someone's house (in which you pay for the meal), you actually start enjoying it the lay out (except the poorly designed bathroom that is a disaster). But I don't think I'll be rushing back. It's a rare vegan option in the neighborhood but I don't live nearby and there are way better vegan options that don't require me to trek it to Ital.