Wayside Cafe and Deli

A Fantastic Find for Vegans! While passing through town, I did a quick search for vegan options and am so happy I found this place! The food was absolutely delicious and the portions were very generous. I ordered the vegetable plate, which had a delicious mix of cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and red rice. I like that they were willing to minimize the tofu and add more veggies. I also got the mashed potatoes and gravy, which were absolutely delicious. The coleslaw was also quite good—it wasn't a traditional flavor, and while the vinegar was a little strong for my taste, it was still very enjoyable. I am so thrilled I stopped here and I would definitely come back again. Highly recommend this restaurant for vegans!

Delicious food! Super crispy patties on the sandwiches - excellent 5 spice sauce; vegan ranch is the bomb. Mashed potatoes and gravy was exquisite and a huge portion. So full and in a happy food coma afterwards - super recommend! Support this small local business

It was a nice surprise to find this place. We had ribs plate to go. Served with mash potatoes and gravy, Mac & chz and green collars. Everything was VERY good!! They also had soft serve, we added peanut butter sauce; omg thank you! Also the bbq cauliflower wings were excellent! Neat place with many dessert options, drinks and everything VEGAN 🙏🏽🤍🙌🏽

I’d have been a little disappointed, but the cauli wings carried everything else. Would go back, but would have to try other things. Buff cauli wings: 10/10 Ranch: 8/10 Seitan ribs: 6/10 - good seitan, terrible sauce. Greens: 6/10 Mash: 6/10 Mac: 5/10 Dip sando: 5/10 - too bitter

Highly recommend! We had no idea this restaurant was near the Capitol building. We were traveling from the airport in Seattle to the Quinault rainforest and saw that this was the only all vegan restaurant on our way there. Wow did this impress. The food was amazing. Potato balls and Mac n cheese are a must try. My husband loved the bbq sauce on his sandwich and the cauliflower wings were delicious. Plus, we got to see the capitol building and people enacting their democratic right to protest, which was a wonderful added bonus to our day!

So happy to find this place! I had the rice and bean bowl with soy curls. The green sauce was so good! Portions are large - I probably could split the bowl with a pal. The desserts looked excellent. Very fast friendly service and a fun downtown atmosphere.

My sandwich was way, way too goopy. It also cost 19 dollars with a side of beans. Mac n cheese is good here. You can buy beer here if that's your thing too. I can't help but be reminded about how everyone complains about high prices in Oly, yet line up for 19 dollar mid sandwiches. The sandwich was super oily and smothered in all kinds of wetness. By the time I got to the last 1/3rd of the sandwich it was a soggy mess. Was not very appetizing. Also they gave me to go boxes even though I asked to dine in. No plate for my daughter, she had to eat her Mac and cheese out of a little cup. Not sure if I'll be back even though I want to support this spot that does so much for the community. Just too rich for my blood for lunch.

Absolutely loved the rib platter and my husband really enjoyed the Buffalo chicken sandwich meal. The service was quick and the atmosphere is nice. The mashed potatoes and gravy are to die for. The menu is fully vegan and everything we've tried so far has been great.

I have been wanting to try Wayside forever but am absolutely never in the Olympia area. Because we finally were this weekend, I definitely wanted to take the opportunity to come here. It did not disappoint! I tried the Norma sandwich which was delicious. The tofu skin patty was unlike any other faux chicken I've had and so good! And because I'm always on the search for great vegan mac and cheese I had that as my side. Absolutely delicious! Very creamy. Portions are large here so I brought some of the mac home and am looking forward to having it for lunch tomorrow. My husband tried the dip sandwich with a side of the mashed potatoes and gravy and ate every last bit. He loved it. It's a very cute cafe on the corner with friendly staff. I witnessed a man in need come in and take advantage of the program they have where you can buy a meal for a hungry person to come in in the future and have a free meal. That's a lovely service to the community. So glad I was able to finally patronize this great vegan business! I'll try to come back soon!

This is clearly a local centric and forward pushing restaurant. The staff we spoke with were friendly and fun. They even gave us recommendations for our road trip! A cool mural decorates the wall and also posters and flyers highlighting local events and gatherings are in the corner near the door. Really great food! We had the barbecue wings, the mac and cheese, the Hulk Hoagie (R.I.P.) and the French Dip. Personally I have to give the flowers to the French Dip, the Mac and Cheese was bomb but maybe a more cheesy consistency would have been nice? The barbecue wings were also absolutely excellent. Would absolutely love to return and their menu is great. Excited to see what specials the chefs come up with definitely gonna follow their socials! Thank you!!!

Best vegan food so far! The tahini bowl was absolutely larger and more filling than I expected. Loved the beets, grains, veg and tahini sauce..perfect balance. The potato balls blew me away. Large, crispy not greasy. So good!! My friend had the Dip and loved it. She also got some of them cookies. Parking can be a challenge, so be prepared. The place does get busy and they do a fair amount of takeout. Definitely coming back!

The portions are massive and absolutely, band for your buck. The location is perfectly located as far as visibility, parking is bad though. It's spacious inside, plenty of space to sit. Very minimalist with ordering, you go to the counter order, wait and pick up at counter. The food: gravy good, mashers tasty and fresh, greens tasty. The almost famous was good, but another container should have been used it was leaking. I was not a fan of the Mac, the ribz texture was good could have used more flavor. Overall I would return to try other items. Also the chickpea flour overpowered the chikn.

Order at the front and food comes to you. The rib plate was amazing! It was WAY TOO MUCH food for me. It could be shared.

I went here because it had good ratings, both on here and on findmeglutenfree.com. It did seem safe for those with celiac, as there were some options and the front-of-house employee was knowledgeable about what wasn't safe (no dedicated gluten-free fryer unfortunately!). I know GF flour is more expensive than regular flour, but especially in this economy, it sucks to pay an extra $2.50 just to eat like everyone else. And I wish their menu was more clear about that; I might have chosen a different place if I knew that my meal would come out to over $20. But props to their GF bread; my sandwich was ridiculously messy and it still didn't crumble under the weight and sauce of the sandwich, the way many GF breads would. And while I wish there were more enticing GF sides, the creamed corn was still good. The standout though was the flavor of the buffalo "chicken." As a vegetarian, I don't get to eat food like this very often! Anmy friend eats meat, but was still impressed by her chili jackfruit sandwich

Update: They are open early now! Their creamed corn, ribz and mac n cheez my favorites. Their cakes cannot be beat. Cookies are huge!

Really delicious vegan and gluten free food. I love the cauliflower, the bowls, and the beverage selection. Great downtown location for people watching.

I found this gem while in Olympia. The place was nice and clean, the service was great ! The lady was helpful and you could tell they enjoy their jobs. They food was cooked to order and I can tell the establishment is a gem because everyone started coming to place orders. The rest room was clean as well. The food is delicious. I'm upset I left my other order, but I was able to call and get refunded. They were sooooo nice. I'll stop back here when I return.

I eat here weekly. Good vegan food served by a friendly staff. They make the vegan "meats" in house. I especially like the famous bowl in the winter months.

Excellent sandwiches with good service are what you'll get at The Wayside Cafe. The ambiance is nice and the staff are friendly and welcoming.

The restaurant has the ambiance of an 80's food court, but the food is utterly scrumptious! I had the Tahini Bowl, a classic of theirs, and they gamely subbed lettuce for rice. The tofu strips were generous and tender. The beets and broccoli were crunchy and flavorful. The tahini dressing was rich, tangy, and garlicky, perfectly slathered over everything. The portion was large. No gimmicks, just really healthy and delicious vegan food. Yum!

EAT HERE! Actually some of the best food I've eaten in a very long time! We were both blown away and will 1000% be coming back! Don't let the vegan menu give you pause, it is the most delicious food I can think of having recently! Fun space with a photo booth! Great service and the place offers a pay it forward to feel our community members living on the street.

Every time we visit Olympia we will make time to visit Wayside - multiple times if we can. I'm not even vegan and I love their food so much. Besides dishing up some of the BEST vegan mac& cheez, they are a great asset to the community. Best advice I can give you is be sure to leave room for dessert!

One of my favorite things to order at a restaurant if I see it on the menu is a warm yummy french dip. This was my first time trying their french dip here and I can say proudly this is by far the best french dip combo I've had eating out and tops any I have eaten with meat inside them. The inside is clean and a perfect place to enjoy your comfort food favorites with your friends! I will definitely be back and this will be my go to winter combo meal, ugh so good!

Although the prices may seem a bit high, the price you pay is incredibly worth it! This place has some of the best vegan food I've tried, and is definitely the spot to take someone to show them that vegan food can be good. The portion sizes are pretty big, and the few times I've gone, I'm usually walking away with leftovers. Really nice space where the food comes out to you after you order. Clean, not too loud, but not too quiet, and the staff are always really nice and helpful.

I love the food here! I usually pick one of the sandwiches - the BBQ jackfruit is a go-to favorite of mine. The staff are always so kind, and I like being able to chill inside and never feel rushed out. This is one of my favorite spots in Olympia!

Went with family. We got a chickn sandwich , Mac and cheese bowl, ribs, and bean bowl. All vegan and all delicious. Good cookies and nice location

Great vegan food Exactly what I was looking for Friendly staff, we're certainly very gracious even though my friend arrived by closing hours

Healthy delicious vegan food, it's been a favorite for years, the service is very friendly and pleasant and the space is large and cool. I feel so healthy after I eat here. Thank you Wayside Deli for existing.

Casual all-vegan cafe -- you order up the counter and they call out your name when ready. They have bowls, BBQ-type fare, sandwiches, etc. I got their Dan Dan Bowl ($15 plus tax), which came with three big pieces of tofu, tons of broccoli and cauliflower, some slaw, and served over red rice -- all smothered in a delicious peanuty sauce. Huge portion and very nicely assembled. Wouldn't change a thing. Service is competent and friendly enough. Awesome spot.

We keep coming back! The sticky mac and cheese and Norma calls our name! Service is great and quick and super chill vibe.

Hey, this is a super fun place to try some delicious vegan food! We aren't vegan, but loved the "Philly Cheese Steak" they had (I think it was soy curls for the meat replacement), and the BLT, which had a chickpea based bacon sub. Really delicious food! I'm taking off only a star because I feel like despite making something "like" an existing sandwich, you're bound to cause folks to compare to the original. The BLT didn't feel like a BLT, but rather, a delicious chickpea sandwich. the Philly Cheese Steak felt *really* sweet. But my friends, the highlight was the VEGAN MAC AND CHEESE!!!! No joke, it was freakin' divine. I highlight recommend this place if you are curious of checking out vegan food and meat substitutes.

Wow! I'm so glad I ate on my one full day in Olympia at The Wayside - I got the "Five Spice Chicken Burger" which is essentially Dan Dan but in a burger form - I couldnt have imagined how good this burger would be. Crispy flaky peanut goodness with an excellent bite experience on a soft toasted bun. I got the potato balls for an upcharged side soooo perfect with ranch. I'm lamenting not being around for additional courses later. Eat here for sure! Also Ember coffee is just up the street, which was excellent too to pair. So incredible it's all vegan and delicious! They have a community table too creating a welcoming environment, and the staff member was very friendly and knowledgeable and helped me get just what I wanted. Thanks!

Pros-Unique, delicious, vegan everything. Usually there is a compromise going vegan...not here. The 'patties' are just right in texture, crunchiness...everything you'd expect. Wine and beer to boot. Cons- The price point seemed a little high though where else will you find this stuff. The atmosphere is as basic as basic could be...not complaining just noting. Bottom line-Lucky to have such a place in Oly. If you are on a vegan or vegetarian bend you have found your Nirvana...if not and you have a friend who is, go with them...I don't think you'll be disappointed either.

I'm not vegan or vegetarian even, but I would be if I could eat here all the time. Was feeling gross after fast food while on a road trip / sports tournament with my kid and opted for The Wayside Cafe Tahini Bowl to eat some "real food". It was so good. Will always come here when driving through Olympia moving forward. The tofu was so much better than anything I've tasted from a store. Thank you Olympia for producing a better vegan place than anything I've experienced in Seattle or Portland.

This is absolutely delicious food! I've eaten there twice. First time I had the BLT where the bacon was Tempeh. Amazing! Second time sandwich is Cajun chicken, or the chicken is done with tofu. Amazing. On both sandwiches, the spreads were absolutely scrumptious and I wish I had the recipes. And the staff are good folks. Thank you! Be sure to give it a try!

Here's the thing, it's good Vegan food, but I think a restaurant should be graded on how good of food it actually is and honestly compared to a bbq plate it was quite lame.

My family and I loved the food here! We enjoyed the Buffalo cauliflower wings, potato balls, Arugula beetroot salad, and Mac n cheese. My kids were completely floored by how cheesy tasting the Mac n cheese was even though it is completely vegan. For dessert they had some generous slices of carrot cake and chocolate cake. I saw they also offered ice cream and milkshakes (when available). My personal faves were the beetroot salad and Buffalo cauliflower wings. The batter was crispy and the Buffalo sauce was just spicy enough and delicious. This is an order at the counter and pick up yourself kinda place. Our service was awesome and the kind woman at the counter answered all of my questions. The artwork on the walls was really cool although my kids (aged 10 and 13) thought it was creepy. And we had a homeless guy come and eat with us at our table which was odd but welcome. He didn't seem to mind. My family would come and eat here regularly if we lived closer.

Best vegan comfort food around! This is a must stop for me whenever I'm in town! We were super bummed when we were in town on a Monday a couple weeks ago and found out this is one of their closed days

Loved this restaurant! We were in town for a wedding and stopped by for lunch and the food was yummy with great selection. It is always a special treat to visit a town with a great vegetarian restaurant. They offer outdoor and inside dining and their selection is great! If vegetarian food is your jam, this restaurant is top notch! Can't wait to come back.

Stopped here last week for some take out. Our vegetarian/ vegan family love to come here especially those who live out of town. Good sandwiches,specials,sides and my favorite is the mashed potatoes with gravy. Nice customer service and great food. Even if you're not a vegan you'll love it. Out meat eating sons in law enjoy all the menu items.

I love wayside. My fav is the chocolate chunks. Alas they were sold out. Their other dearest are fire, but the tahini bowl with mash potatoes is my fav, but the blt is a close second. Their potato balls and cauliflower are great shareable, cider/beer/wine options are great... and the staff are some of the best. Omg the milkshakes are amazing... so are the floats. The cheesecake... yum!!!

We stopped here on our way through Olympia and wow, we really lucked out to find this gem! Everything on the menu sounded so good it was tough to choose. They nailed the flavor and the portions were plenty. We left very happy. I crave this place. I'll definitely be back again!

Absolutely love this place. We always come here when we are in Olympia. I have added photos of the bean and rice bowl & house slaw, and the Norma sandwich with mash and gravy. This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been too, and love that it's a vegan restaurant! The portions are generous and just so delicious. And the treats are yummy too, we had a rice crispy treat this time. Good vibes all around and highly recommend. :)

We came in for a quick bite on our way back to Seattle from the coast. We ordered a few starters, shared them real quick and were out pretty quickly. You order at the counter and wait to hear your name. Pretty standard. The person working the counter was super friendly. The food was so tasty and filled our stomachs after some fun at the beach. I love that they allow you to buy a meal for someone who may need it in the future. It's the little things that mean so much.

Everything tasted amazing until my wife and I found hair in both of our orders, the cooks should definitely wear hairnets. Besides the hair, the service is great and portions were generous.

Didn't get to eat here. I arrived about 30 minutes before they closed, and the girl working at the front said they could only do to-go orders. So I left. That's not a good way to invite, or keep customers.

Their vegan Chick'n Burger needs to be featured nationally. 10/10! Located in one of the prettiest historic downtowns of any NW city, the Wayside Café is perfectly situated to help your vegan cuisine dreams come to life. With a lovely and social staff to greet you and to explain how service works here, your time will be easy and tasty. Order the vegan Chick'n Burger for sure. The ample selection of sides will help your group have the best time, too. We chose the collard greens and the mac n' cheeze. Once your food arrives, prepare to be amazed! That was hands-down the best vegan chicken sandwich that I have ever consumed, and coming from Portland, I feel that says a lot. If you are in town for a second, an hour, or a few days, definitely make it a priority to visit Wayside. I am certain that within a few years, they will be awarded for their work!

All around good food. Plenty of room to sit. The food is exceptional. The Mashed Potato Balls are the love of my life. It is my promised item for Book Club, had it not disbanded in the face of a divorce. I love the Almost Famous but do want to try new things. The crab sandwich was great. It can add up when you go, so budget for your meals. Location is perfect. I only wish they were open for brunch.

This spot is in downtown Olympia so parking will be challenging at times . Laid back spot that also offer a Pay It Forward to bless someone with a meal . Now down to business , I wish there was a a few more options on the menu including fries . But the teriyaki burger was perfect, it was my first time eating soy curls and they were awesome . And im not a mayo fan , even as a vegan but I enjoyed theirs . As someone from the South , i can say their collard greens were a strong 8/10. With a nice smoky and savory flavor. Overall 9.5/10!! I came back the next weekend to try their Rib Plate . I deeply enjoyed and was intrigued by the Mashers & Gravy . Nice onion based flavor . I didn't enjoy the serían ribs or BBQ sauce . And the Mac and Cheese was highly recommended, but lacked flavor to me . Meal was a 7/10. Took off a star based on last visit

Terrible excuse for vegan food. Have tried it several times and always found it to be a great disappointment. Mac and cheese tastes artificial, almost plastic-like. Collared greens have an overwhelming taste of liquid smoke - inedible. Creamed corn way too watery and sweet. Nothing tastes good and we will not return.

We came here on a whim and were not disappointed. First, the staff was so nice and welcoming. They had a good selection of food and desserts. After we ordered, the food was prepared in a timely manner. We got two different types of bowls and the cauliflower wings. The portions were very hearty and the food was amazing! If there is one thing I would recommend, it was the birthday cake. The cake was moist and delicious, literally the best birthday cake I have had in a long time. Will definitely be coming back to try more. And definitely a huge plus that everything they have is vegan!

Just incredible flavorful food, and no animals harmed in the making!!! Service is exceptional, and the ambience is cool, calm and convivial! If I lived closer, I would live there!!! ;)

Now they're open for lunch on the weekends, hooray! My kids love the macaroni and cheese. The desserts are always interesting combinations and hefty portion sizes! You order at the counter and your name is called when your food is ready - it doesn't take long! Find your own place to sit, help yourself to a glass of water from the water station, retrieve utensils and napkins from next to the cash register. Then bus your own table when you're finished. I've been here so many times, I still have a hard time choosing what to get because everything is so good! And the portions are generous. Bonus jonus for compostable takeout containers.

The food is delicious and hits the spot. Good portions and reasonable prices. I asked for recommendations, and the cashier did not skip a beat hitting what was essential to many different types of clients. I will return to try more items on the menu, as one trip is not enough. The music and smiles on the staff's faces were inviting and made dining a pleasant experience.

We had a wonderful meal here when traveling through Washington! Delicious vegan food and ample portions. Also some yummy bakery items too. Very happy we ate here!

Stopped here yesterday for my first time and it was pretty decent! I got the "large marge" salad which is basically a vegan Buffalo chicken salad and it was quite delicious, and fairly reasonably priced compared to a lot of "vegan" restaurants I've been to. The vegan ranch was also a highlight for me. I would definitely come back again when driving through Olympia and look forward to trying other items on the menu in the future.

Some of the tastiest food Olympia has to offer, vegan or otherwise! Don't be scared off if you eat meat, because this stuff is legit. My favorite is the rib plate with a side of creamed corn. It lasts me 2-3 incredible meals and reheats quite well.