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Green Owl Cafe

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Madison's longest-running vegetarian spot serving creative faux-meat dishes and vegan desserts in a cozy, rustic venue.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Inside seating area

Green Owl Cafe

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Madison's longest-running vegetarian spot serving creative faux-meat dishes and vegan desserts in a cozy, rustic venue.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Amazing food, we were so thrilled to find this place! "

TIP

Try the Signature Sandwiches

The Nashville Hot 'chicken' sandwich and Big Owl burger are highly recommended for a flavorful experience.

Desserts are a must-try

Consider ordering vegan cupcakes or other unique, rotating dessert specials.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 11AM

Cuisine

Vegetarian, Vegan

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(608) 285-5290

Address

1970 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704, USA

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Creative Vegan Comfort Food

Creative Vegan Comfort Food

Experience delicious faux-meat dishes and vegan desserts in a cozy, rustic setting.

Signature Sandwiches & Burgers

Signature Sandwiches & Burgers

From the TLT to the 'chicken' sandwich, indulge in flavorful, hearty plant-based creations.

Decadent Vegan Desserts

Decadent Vegan Desserts

Don't miss out on their rotating selection of irresistible vegan cheesecakes and cupcakes.

TikTok+3
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Green Owl Cafe is a vegetarian and vegan dream 💭 🍔 🍟 🥪 #madisonwi #madisonwisconsin #wisconsin #food #veganfood #vegetarianfood #travel
@destinationmadison
452 likes • 16.3K views

Try the Signature Sandwiches

The Nashville Hot 'chicken' sandwich and Big Owl burger are highly recommended for a flavorful experience.

Desserts are a must-try

Consider ordering vegan cupcakes or other unique, rotating dessert specials.

The Blueberry Lemon Poppyseed Cheesecake made a comeback this week at The Green Owl Cafe in Madison WI! #vegan #glutenfree #madisonwi
@meadowsweet.baked
10 likes • 135 views
🧡💖✨Rhubarb Cheesecake✨💖🧡 Fresh local rhubarb roasted with fresh orange juice and zest, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla bean; blended with vegan cheesecake in a house made graham cracker crust and topped with roasted rhubarb purée!!! Rhubarb season only lasts a short while, just like this dessert special, so don’t sleep on this one! #vegandessert #vegansweets #rhubarb #rhubarbseason #rhubarbcheesecake...
@meadowsweet.baked
7 likes • 211 views

Parking Tip

Opt for take-out if you wish to avoid parking challenges in the Atwood area.

Order at the Counter

Meals are ordered at the counter; there is no table service.

Vegan Peanut Butter cupcakes stuffed with chocolate ganache and topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and crushed peanuts!of you’re Madison WI, get yours at The Green Owl Cafe!! #vegan #vegandessert #vegancupcake
@meadowsweet.baked
8 likes • 139 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Try the Signature Sandwiches

The Nashville Hot 'chicken' sandwich and Big Owl burger are highly recommended for a flavorful experience.

Desserts are a must-try

Consider ordering vegan cupcakes or other unique, rotating dessert specials.

Parking Tip

Opt for take-out if you wish to avoid parking challenges in the Atwood area.

Order at the Counter

Meals are ordered at the counter; there is no table service.

Visit during off-peak hours

The cafe gets busy around dinner time, and seating is limited, so plan accordingly.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Green Owl Cafe is celebrated for its creative and delicious all-vegan menu, offering satisfying comfort food that appeals to both vegans and non-vegans alike. Diners rave about the unique sandwiches, hearty burgers, and the impressive selection of vegan desserts. While the food is a major draw, some patrons note the counter-service model and limited seating as minor drawbacks.

"I ordered the weekly special, I think it was the southwest burger. I wasn't sure if I'd like it but took a chance and I'm so glad I ordered it. It was absolutely delicious. I had the kale chips and they were seasoned and perfectly crisp. My husband ordered the meatball sandwich. He thought it could've used a touch more sauce. I tried a bite and it was tasty as well. We shared an order of the Green Owl fries. We only ate half of them and they reheated well the next day. Love this restaurant!"

Rachel Byington

"I’m not vegan but was craving a nice, wholesome wrap for lunch so decided to try the Green Owl. It’s so cute inside—I snagged the perfect seat by the window. Ordered the curry wrap, which I HIGHLY recommend. Wanted to try the kale crisps but they were out :(
Service was super quick and staff were friendly!"

taylor marie

"What a super cool place! The vibe was laid back with very friendly service. We had a blackened tofu and a TLT sandwich that did not disappoint ! We will definitely be going back again. Great customer service and very prompt on getting our food."

Beach House Painting

What People Like

Flavorful vegan comfort food
Creative sandwiches and burgers
Delicious vegan desserts

What People Dislike

Counter service only
Limited seating during peak times

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Green Owl Cafe is Madison's longest-running completely vegan spot, offering a menu where everything can be made vegan upon request.

11 places for vegans to eat in Madison, WisconsinVegan Restaurants in Madison, WI

Popular choices include the Nashville Hot 'chicken' sandwich, Big Owl burger, TLT sandwich, and their rotating vegan desserts like cheesecakes and cupcakes.

Google Review

Yes, Green Owl Cafe offers a vegan and gluten-free menu, with options like gluten-free seitan available.

The Must-Try Restaurants In Madison, WisconsinMoving to Madison? Here's What Living Here is Like11 places for vegans to eat in Madison, Wisconsin

The cafe has a cozy, rustic venue with a laid-back vibe and outdoor seating. It is counter-service, not table service.

Google Review

Limited street parking is available, but there are also parking lots to the south. Consider take-out if parking is an issue.

Google Review

Green Owl Cafe is known for its 'famous rotating dessert menu' with delicious vegan options like cheesecakes and cupcakes.

TikTok+3

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Claiming to be Madison’s only vegetarian restaurant, The Green Owl Café serves up gourmet delights without any meat in sight, offering a vegan and gluten-free menu as well. Vegetarian jambalaya and vegan schnitzel are house favourites, whilst a custom salad bar means that guests can pick and choose their own greenery. The restaurant tries to maintain local connections by sourcing food and ideas from nearby farmers and producers.

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As with the “unwich” (no bread) sandwich movement, tacos are losing their shells altogether and allowing their filling, or what The Green Owl Cafe calls “the heart of the dish,” to take center stage. A “raw” taco replaces a traditional shell with fresh romaine lettuce that is filled to the brim with sun-dried tomato-walnut chorizo (a surprisingly satisfying take on meat-based chorizo), avocado and juicy pico de gallo topped with creamy cilantro jalapeño dressing for a tangy, spicy finish. And just in case these yummy fixings aren’t enough to convince you its raw taco is worth tasting, Green Owl’s recent win as the 2018 Best of Madison vegetarian/vegan restaurant cements the restaurant’s long-standing reputation as one of Madison’s best purveyors of vegetarian eats — tacos included.

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Enjoy a variety of appetizers, lunch and dinner items with an emphasis on weekly specials, and a “famous rotating dessert menu.” The menu lists sandwiches, burgers, wraps, pasta, bowls, salads, and desserts. Sandwiches served with choice of salad, soup, chili, red potatoes, kale crisps, or French fries. Sample includes TLT with Avocado (tempeh bac’un served on Madison sourdough with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and garlic aioli) and Steak Bomb (thinly sliced, house-made seitan on a baguette with sautéed mushrooms and onions, owl sauce, arugula, cashew cheez sauce or provolone).

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1970 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704No trip to Madison is complete without visiting the city’s longest-running vegetarian restaurant (they say vegetarian, but I couldn’t find anything non-vegan on the menu)!. This sweet little spot has a mouthwatering lineup of comfort eats — it’s best to come here for lunch or dinner very hungry!. Start with an order of loaded Owl Fries covered in cashew cheese, caramelized onions, seitan (they have a GF option, too), and their house-made Owl sauce.

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Located on Atwood Avenue, The Green Owl Cafe claims to be the only vegetarian restaurant in Madison. This restaurant offers delightful gourmet dishes without any meat at all, and also offers a vegan and gluten-free menu. Its Jambalaya & Cornbread, Veggie Loaf Dinner, and Peanut Macrobowl are firm favorites, while its custom salad bar allows you to pick and choose from a wide selection of fresh ingredients.

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Cozy café serving in-house faux meat dishes for over a decade. Offering vegan comfort food since 2009, Green Owl Cafe is considered the longest-running plant-based restaurant in the city, and to this day it remains one of the most popular vegetarian restaurants in Madison. Its casual setting and colourful seating make for a cozy café to enjoy some simple creative dishes.

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In fact, everything on their menu can be made vegan upon request!. Their vegan chili — with flavors that rotate regularly — is top-notch and just as good as the real thing. They’re also known for their weekly burger special, where their house-made vegan patty gets dressed up as a Pizza Burger, German Apple Hearty Burger or a Fettucine Alfredo Burger — to name a few.

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Vegetarian residents can find great, affordable food at The Green Owl cafe. With an extensive menu that ranges from vegetarian/vegan nachos to Cajun blackened tofu, patrons won't have to worry about accidentally consuming any unintended wayward meat products. The restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner, and focuses strongly on using organic, local ingredients.

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Madison’s first all-vegetarian restaurant, the Green Owl can make most dishes vegan. This is your comfortable hangout spot, all decked out in cheerful green, orange and yellow, for veggie burgers, vegan wings or a jackfruit quesadilla. The peanut macrobowl is on the healthful end of the spectrum, made with roasted sweet potato, coconut quinoa and steamed kale.

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As Madison’s longest running completely vegan spot, Green Owl dishes up memorable comfort food everyone in your group will love. Enjoy everything from macro bowls to mac’ n cheese, nachos to veggie wings, and poutine fries to burgers. These tasty dishes as well as desserts, cocktails and beer are served up in a casual environment with counter service.

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The Green Owl Cafe is Madison's longest-running all-vegan restaurant. The cafe is a cozy, rustic venue with a patio serving up delectable faux-meat veggie fare and scrumptious vegan desserts. For over a decade, they have dedicated themselves to creating heartwarming vegan comfort food that the Madison community loves.

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For the past decade, Korz’s standbys in Madison have been The Green Owl, an east side vegetarian café opened by Jennie Capellaro (sold to an employee in 2018), casual Food Fight spots (“Monty’s has always been great”), as well as Thai and Indian restaurants, like Dhaba Indian Bistro in Middleton.

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For the vegans and vegetarians out there, Green Owl Cafe is offering a take-and-bake “November Feast,” featuring a tofu “Turkey” loaf, seitan “ham,” mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and pumpkin cheesecake.

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If you both love plant-based food, this is a very nice activity for you. You can go to the Green Owl Café for this. View this post on Instagram

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