Vegan-friendly
Lacto
American
Delivery
Take-out
Coffee and food. Has vegan poke bowl, rotating specials, and vegan versions of Cubanos and banh mi. Much of the vegan meats used are from The Herbivorous Butcher. Dairy-free cheese and milk-alternative options for drinks, reported to be also selling dairy milk Oct '21. Parking on street. NOTE: Please verify if cow's milk is still offered. Open Wed-Fri 7:00am-7:00pm, Sat 7:00am-6:00pm, Sun 7:00am-4:00pm. Donuts Wed-Sun - Food menu from 10:30am.
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 16 Aug 2023 by bathofwrethany
Update business info
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50 Reviews
First Review by reba1203
EllaCarlson
Points +57
the best vegan place EVER - Edit
Everything i’ve had here is amazing, my faves are bahn mi, salmon bagel, and any bowls
Read moreGuest
VeganDanMN
Points +3736
Vegan Bahn Mi Rocks - Edit
It was my first time here so I went with the award-winning Vegan Bahn Mi which is the #1 most liked sandwich and was voted best sandwich in Rochester. I ordered it with the house vegan “pork”. It was an excellent sandwich that had a lot of things happening at the same time…numerous flavors & textures, hot & cold ingredients, all served on a generous sized toasted bun. Loved it.
Read moreThe same venue also houses Drift Dough, maker of small-batch boutique doughnuts, most of them vegan.
Pros: Huge vegan menu, 2 venues in 1 location, Great backyard patio
Guest
oraxia
Points +205
Quirky Delicious - Edit
Old Abe's is a really great little cafe--we came initially for donuts and coffee and then had to grab some items to go for lunch because it all sounded really great!
Read moreMy husband got the tofu banh mi sandwich and I got the salmon bowl, and they were both delicious! The bowl was really nicely balanced in terms of flavors and the half rice, half spinach base option was just right for me. Both items also held up well in a rather warm car in the summer (we took a quick stroll around the park next door to walk off the donut and coffee), although the drive back wasn't all that long.
Next time we're in town, we will definitely be back!😄And maybe we'll eat lunch in instead of just the donuts, since it's a fun location with lots of quirky coffeehouse-style decor!
Pros: Delicious Vegan Food, Quirky, Fun Decor, Friendly Staff
Guest
Vegan!
Points +154
Food is all vegan - Edit
I was told all the food is vegan. I had the vegan fresh roll. It was good. They have a nice outdoor patio and I sat there. My only big compliment is they don't have any gluten free vegan bread options so that limits me to only a couple of meals. It's 2024. Most restaurants have a gluten free bread option so I really hope they consider buying a vegan gluten free bread for sandwiches and a vegan gluten free bagel for their bagel items. I know I would come more often if it was an option. I buy both for myself at home and know there are excellent vegan gluten-free free bread options that they could be buying and it would probably increase their business. I also wished they had a few more whole food plant-based options as much of the menu is mock meat options. It is a cute place and I'm very happy the food is vegan and I would definitely recommend it.
Read morePros: All food is vegan, Nice outdoor patio plus in door seating, Helpful employees
Cons: Very limited vegan gluten-free options, No vegan gluten-free deserts, The restroom could have been more clean.
Guest
Kippitydooda
Points +24
Best vegan food in town - Edit
Cafe with vegan donuts, bowls, best salmon imitation I've ever tried.
Read moreGuest
JenniferJillHarman
Points +672
Excellent light lunch - Edit
Fresh, delicious, and inventive choices. Wish there were more gluten free-options for sandwiches.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-05-29
Pros: Lots of beverages, Outdoor seating
Cons: Need gluten free/vegan bread options for sandwich
Guest
ineed_b12
Points +288
Best place in Rochester - Edit
Old Abe is hands down one of my favorite places I’ve eaten at. The food is refreshing and never makes you feel sluggish. Wide range of options, including donuts.
Read morePros: Healthy options, Staple in the community
Cons: Not all drunks vegan
Guest
DiningDuster
Points +558
Bagels, donuts, sandwiches- all vegan! - Edit
Love the food here! It’s a small house- sometimes you have to wait but we always get a table.
Read moreLove it all- the banh mi, Korean rib bulgogi, Kung pow! Bagel with salmon… can’t go wrong!
Pros: All vegan , So many good choices
Cons: None
Guest
Patticakepatticake
Points +136
Great lunch spot! - Edit
Wow! What a delightful find! The food was all delicious, the staff was super friendly, and the space is adorable. Definitely stop in, you won’t regret it.
Read moreGuest
BunnyFan
Points +167
BLT is so good! - Edit
My favorite Rochester lunch spot! Almond Joy mocha is delicious too.
Read moreGuest
spidersnoot
Points +19
Cozy and Delicious - Edit
My favorite place
Read moreGuest
frenchfries4life
Points +867
Top stop in Rochester - Edit
If you're looking for vegan food in Rochester, this is the place. They have coffee drinks too. It's an unusual but charming cafe in an older house. Street parking only but it's not hard to find. I do wish they had fries but the other food is good and unique.
Read moreGuest
Razz
Points +252
Worth the easy walk from Mayo - Edit
Tried 2 bowls, 1/2 spinach - rice
Read more*Korean BBQ
*Citrus ribs
If you like chewy, go with CR. If you like smoked, go with BBQ. The chickpea crunchies are unique and add a lot. Wouldn't change a thing with bowls... variety mouthfeel, flavor, portion. Funky fun simple atmosphere.
Almond joy iced coffee great!
Next time, pickle lemonade!!
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-04
Pros: Simple creative meal, Goldilocks portions
Guest
JillBelsanPoston
Points +529
Yum! - Edit
We split the ribz and pork ban mi. Loved both of them!
Read morePros: Great flavor , Large portion, Nice staff
Cons: No room for desert, We live in NC so may never be able to come back 😔
Guest
CZT
Points +74
Finally made the trip and they did not disappoint! - Edit
As a vegan living in the Midwest, it was a joy to walk into a restaurant where I can order almost everything on the menu! Old Abe’s has plenty of items to chose from. Their coffee is delicious and the Drift Dough donuts were so tasty! We ordered a number of things to try (a Korean BBQ brown sushi-rice bowl, their famous vegan “pulled pork” banh-mi, and the BLT) and we were blown away by how good they all were. We overheard a woman at a table next to us asking a server about the meal that she just had. She mentioned how delicious it was and was completely surprised to find out it was vegan. Before we left, my wife and I were already talking about how much we were looking forward to visiting again. Old Abe’s rocks!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-05-07
Pros: Lots of delicious, vegan options!, Fun, personable staff, Creative, cool atmosphere
Cons: Can’t think of any!
Guest
kapntoad
Points +44
Great small spot for food and coffee - Edit
The vegan food was really good and had a good variety. I loved the Vietnamese coffee. I wish I could find that up in the Twin Cities!
Read morePros: Delicious vegan food, Excellent vegan Vietnamese coffee
Guest
BaileyH
Points +76
Interesting Place... - Edit
The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because it's the only plant-based place left in Rochester. I'll definitely return to try new things, however improvements can be made. Maybe I've just been spoiled with options in Mexico City, but nonetheless... See below for more details:
Read morePROS
--only plant-based restaurant for quite a distance
--reasonable prices for meals, donuts, and shirts
--yummy smoothies and donuts
CONS
--some of the donuts were not vegan, yet everything else seems to be vegan here (it would be easy enough to eliminate those and make this place vegan like google lists it)
--not impressed by the filling of the "famous" Bahn-Mi sandwich; the "pulled pork" didn't even have the correct texture or taste to refer to it as such
--super crowded and tiny inside
--smoothies were pricy at almost $8 each
--cookies that came w grilled cheeze sandwich were oreos which have palm oil
--lacking customer service (no greeting or goodbye, waitress spilled water on table and walked away, told us where straws were instead of giving one, 1 worker wearing skin-color leotard?, nobody has hair pulled back, etc.)
--super confusing and busy design choices (lucha libre masks and Spanish music yet no Mexican food, neon polka-dot walls, giant animal wall decals, plastic gold light fixtures, feathers--not plant-based, pink paint, etc.)
Pros: only plant-based restaurant in area, reasonable prices on food and merch, yummy smoothies and donuts
Cons: atmosphere, customer service, confusing design and food choices
emilyw
maybe the staff weren’t super friendly because you spent the whole time making horrible faces at the decor?
Read moreBaileyH
Why so defensive of horrible customer service and a non-vegan restaurant?
Read moreGuest
wgovegan
Points +20
Funky fun interior and yummy food! - Edit
I really enjoyed my bahn mi and my wife loved her Korean bbq bowl. The vegan donuts were sooooo good and def get with some coffee. Go visit!
Read morePros: Vegan donuts, Lots of vegan options
Guest
alexandra.winer
Points +66
a gem to have in Rochester - Edit
the staff was so welcoming and explained everything in detail which was really helpful as we hadn't been there before. my husband and I ended up getting bánh mì and donuts and everything was so delicious and hit the spot, and super reasonably priced too! we loved the cozy and colorful atmosphere and agreed it felt like a lot of our favorite spots in minneapolis - a welcome change from all the chain restaurants elsewhere in town. next time I'm in rochester I'll be sure to stop by again!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-24
Pros: delicious vegan options for a great value, friendly and warm staff
Guest
PJM
Points +38
Bánh mì - Edit
Charming little find in Rochester, staff was helpful and service was good. Bánh mì sandwich had good flavor, would definitely order again. The crust on the bread was probably a little bit thicker than a traditional one but was still delicious and that’s all that really matters I suppose.
Read moreGuest
lugenbec
Points +44
Only fully vegan place in Roch - Edit
Visited Old Abe's a few times. They've created a very inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone should feel welcome.
Read moreSituated in an old house, their quirky decor and shaded back yard patio make this place stand out from your average Rochester restaurant.
We've had lots of things off the menu, but recommend any of the bowls, the sandwiches, and you can't go wrong with the grilled cheese.
They also sell vegan donuts.
Pros: 100% vegan, Vegan donuts, Outdoor and indoor seating
Cons: Only street parking
Guest
talkalot80
Points +39
Delicious, doesn't break the bank, healthy options - Edit
This place is easily the top vegan joint in Rochester. They've got junky bahn mi, but if you want to go healthier can get it in a bowl with brown rice half spinach or all spinach. Everything I've tried there is delicious. Owner is a fun dude & super glad to have this in town. Skip the chain restaurant & hit this place up!
Read morePros: good value, nice vibe, big portions
Cons: small seating/space, but they have outdoor seating
Guest
VagrantVegan
Points +1333
Great for breakfast and lunch - Edit
The donuts were tasty and fun. The creativity and variety was honestly quite impressive. The two smoothies I tried were refreshing. The banh mi was absolutely delicious. Definitely recommend.
Read morePros: Plenty of options , Fun atmosphere
Guest
HeidiSev
Points +41
Great Food and friendly Service! - Edit
Here to go to Mayo and we loved the food, atmosphere, and friendly staff. Thank you!
Read moreGuest
tessysdb
Points +270
Grateful to have a good option in Rochester - Edit
We like to stop here when we are coming through town. They have donuts now and they are yummy!
Read moreGuest
Jeepperson
Points +85
Loved it! - Edit
My husband and I got a banh mi and BLT to eat there. We also took a couple of bowls to go for the next day while we were traveling. Great flavors. Felt pretty healthy with the half spinach, half rice in the bowls and they kept well. If we travel through the area again, we'll definitely be back.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-05-04
Pros: Vegan lunch options
Guest
rcf717
Points +196
NOT ENTIRELY VEGAN - Edit
I was under the impression that this restaurant was entirely vegan. IT IS NOT! There are a few drinks that include cow milk. VERY disappointed when I found that out after I ordered it for pick up. The food is very good but just be aware and clarify to make sure that everything you order is *actually* vegan so you don’t end up ordering a non-vegan option. I don’t understand why, there are so many vegan options for sweetened condensed milk. I would gladly pay a dollar more to avoid animal torture for any beverage!! HappyCow needs to change the label of this to an all vegetarian place not all vegan!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-09-30
Pros: Good food, Lots of vegan options
Cons: Misleading menu
Guest
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