Curly Kale Cafe - Cambridge

Cambridge is not usually known as a great city for vegans, despite its large student population and variety of restaurants. However, Curly Kale stands out as one of the few vegan options in the area. Even if it were located in a big city like London or Brighton, I would still make the trip to dine there. The menu is the main attraction at Curly Kale. While the choices are limited, they are always delicious and innovative. Instead of sticking to typical vegan dishes like burgers, pasta, and curry, the menu changes frequently with themes like Sunday roasts and Spanish cuisine. This approach might seem risky, but the food is consistently well-prepared and flavorful. One thing I appreciate about Curly Kale is that they don't solely focus on health-conscious dishes. They aren't afraid to use rich ingredients like roasts and sugar in moderation to create amazing flavors. Some of my favorite dishes include the Tempeh Burger, deep-fried cauliflower "Fritten Chicken," and the chocolate and cherry ice sunflower. The staff is friendly, they use local products, and the location is usually central. The only downside is that Curly Kale is not a permanent fixture and always gets fully booked. Hopefully, they will open a permanent location in the future.

I recently visited the Curly Kale pop-up store and I was pleasantly surprised by the experience! Their menu was far from standard and boring, with unique items like deep fried wasabi kale in some burgers. The flavors of the food really complemented each other and everything tasted delicious. Despite being a vegan meal, I didn't feel overly full or uncomfortable after eating, which was a nice change. The staff running the store were incredibly friendly as well. My only drawback was that they don't have a permanent location.

Instead of sticking to standard vegan/vegetarian options like bean burgers, pasta, or curry, they switch up the theme of their menu almost every time. From burgers to Sunday roasts to Spanish dishes, each menu is unique and keeps customers coming back for more. I was initially skeptical of this approach, thinking it may hinder them from perfecting a specific type of cuisine, but I have been consistently impressed by how well they execute each dish. Many vegan/vegetarian restaurants focus primarily on healthy options, which can sometimes result in bland or forgettable meals. Cautiously Kale, however, is not afraid to use frying, rich ingredients, and sugar in moderation to achieve great taste. Some of my favorite dishes include the tempeh burger, deep-fried cauliflower "chicken," and chocolate cherry ice cream. In addition to the delicious food, the restaurant boasts friendly staff, a commitment to using local products, and a convenient central location. The only downside is that Cautiously Kale is not a permanent fixture and is always fully booked in advance. I hope they consider opening a fixed location in the future as their only competition, the Rainbow Cafe, has limited vegan options. Overall, Cautiously Kale is a welcome surprise in Cambridge and offers a unique and exciting vegan dining experience.

Cambridge is not known for being vegan-friendly, despite being a decently-sized city with a large student population and proximity to London. However, Curly Kale stands out as one of the few options available in the area. Even if it were to pop up in a place like London or Brighton, I would still make the effort to dine there. The main attraction is their diverse menus, which offer a variety of themes such as burgers, Sunday roast, and Spanish cuisine. Each menu is unique and consistently well-prepared, providing a refreshing change from the typical vegan/vegetarian options like bean burgers and pasta. Curly Kale isn't afraid to use frying, rich foods, and sugar in moderation to create delicious dishes, such as tempeh burgers, deep-fried cauliflower "fried chicken," and chocolate and cherry ice cream sundaes. The restaurant's focus on flavor rather than solely health-conscious dishes sets it apart from other vegan eateries. In addition to the exceptional food, Curly Kale benefits from friendly staff, a commitment to using local produce, and convenient locations in central Cambridge, often at Novi bar. The only drawback is that it is not a permanent establishment, with reservations typically required far in advance. For vegans and vegetarians in Cambridge, Curly Kale is a standout option compared to the limited choices available. A permanent location would be a welcome addition to the city's dining scene.

I recently went to the Curly Kale pop-up shop and it far surpassed my expectations! The menu was anything but ordinary and had unique items like deep fried battered wasabi kale in their burgers. Despite the unconventional combinations, the flavors worked well together and the food tasted delicious. Usually, after finishing a meal, I feel overly full and uncomfortable, even with vegan food. However, this meal felt light and satisfying. Additionally, the staff were remarkably friendly. My only disappointment is that they do not have a permanent location.