A Gluten Free Vegan’s Review of The Green Owl Cafe in Madison, WI
The Green Owl Cafe is a vegan restaurant close to the east side of Madison, WI. They are consistently voted as the best vegetarian/vegan focused restaurant by Madison residents.
They first opened in 2009 and are now owned by Erick Fruehling. They focus on making plant based comfort food.
Everything on the menu is vegan (with the option to add dairy products) and many can be made gluten free as well.
Continue reading to learn about my experience at The Green Owl Cafe when we visited for lunch on Dec. 3rd, 2022.
This review is based on my own experience while visiting The Green Owl Cafe. If you have celiac disease or other allergies, please use your own discretion when choosing new restaurants.
Entrance to The Green Owl Cafe in Madison, WI [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Details
Designation: Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price Range: $$
Style: American
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Location:
Located on Atwood Avenue near other restaurants and shops
Bike parking
Multiple bus stops within walking distance
Street parking on Atwood Avenue and neighboring streets
On the east side of Madison
Outdoor seating available
Wheelchair users could go here but there are no automatic doors and the hallway is not very wide.
Atmosphere
Front desk and bar at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
The dining room at The Green Owl Cafe has a casual and trendy feel. They have accents of green, natural wood, and several plants around the restaurant.
View from the back of the dining room at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
The dining room is on the smaller side and tables are first come first serve. They have five tables inside as well as two seats near the window.
They also have a few picnic tables outside for extra seating when the weather is nice.
There were times where it got a little loud when the restaurant was full, but we were still able to have a nice conversation.
Menu
Menu at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
All the dishes at The Green Owl Cafe are vegan. There are several options that are naturally gluten free and others can be modified to be gluten free.
Their menu is well marked and staff can tell you which options can be modified. You can get everything from soups, nachos, sandwiches, and bowls.
Weekly special sign at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Their weekly specials are listed on the chalkboard signs inside and outside.
Dessert menu at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
They also have a fully vegan dessert menu with a couple gluten free options.
If you would like, you can take a look at their online menu here.
Food
My order
Grilled Jackfruit Burrito Bowl at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Grilled Jackfruit Burrito ($13)
Cumin-lemon marinated jackfruit, rice, avocado, black beans, pickled red onions, cashew cheez sauce, salsa verde.
Modified to be gluten free by making it into a burrito bowl.
Comes with your choice of a side.
Side of Pumpkin Dal Soup at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Side of Pumpkin Dal Soup (included with meal)
Naturally vegan and gluten free.
My MIL’s Order
TLT sandwich with Avocado and side of kale crisps at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
TLT with Avocado ($15)
Tempeh bac’un, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and garlic aioli.
Modified with gluten free bread.
Side of Kale Crisps (included with meal)
Baked kale with seasoning.
Naturally vegan and gluten free.
Taste: ★★★★★
My burrito bowl was really good! The jackfruit was well marinated and tasty. It came with guacamole and fresh slices of avocado.
The salsa verde added nice flavors and wasn’t too spicy. I loved the cashew cheez sauce on its own and in the bowl!
The pumpkin dal soup was delicious. It had a great flavor and was perfect on a cold winter day. I could have eaten an entire bowl of just the soup.
The kale crisps were also great. They had an amazing crispy texture and the seasoning was perfect.
Quality: ★★★★★
The ingredients and food were clearly fresh. They have several ingredients, like the cashew cheez sauce, that they prepare in small batches.
All of our food was perfectly cooked.
Variety: ★★★★★
Everything on their menu is vegan by default. There are several options that are gluten free or can be modified to be gluten free.
I had a hard time picking what I wanted because there were so many options. Every section of their menu had a gluten free option, except for the pasta.
They also have multiple vegan and gluten free desserts!
Quantity: ★★★★★
I thought the portions were perfect for lunch. I got a burrito bowl which had a lettuce base with more filling toppings. It also came with a side.
Value: ★★★★★
I think the prices were very reasonable for the quality and amount of food. They also don’t upcharge for modifying items to be gluten free.
Service
Hospitality: ★★★★★
All of the staff were very helpful and nice. They were able to quickly answer any of our questions.
Efficiency: ★★★★★
Even though they were busy, it didn’t take more than 10 minutes for our food to be ready.
Accuracy: ★★★★★
All of our food came out with all modifications as ordered.
Safety
Staff knowledge: ★★★★★
Staff is knowledgeable about gluten and celiac disease. They train their staff on cross contamination and they take extra precautions when making gluten free items.
When I called to talk to them, they were immediately able to tell me which items were naturally vegan and gluten free and which could be modified.
Preparation: ★★★★☆
This information is based on my conversation and questions with staff at The Green Owl Cafe.
Staff is trained on cross contamination
Use clean utensils and surfaces to prepare food
Staff take extra precautions
The Green Owl Cafe has several gluten free options and takes multiple precautions when preparing gluten free food.
They are not a dedicated gluten free kitchen, so there is always a risk of cross contamination.
Always tell staff you are vegan and have celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, to make sure they take extra precautions and prepare your food with clean surfaces.
Did I get *glutened? No
*Glutened (verb, past tense)
When a person who has celiac disease, or a gluten intolerance, consumes gluten accidentally and experiences gluten induced symptoms.
To-go supplies and weekly special menu at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Overall
★★★★★
Would I go back? Yes
The staff at The Green Owl Cafe are knowledgeable about celiac disease and cross contamination.
I will definitely be back to try their other vegan and gluten free options and their desserts!
Large menu behind the front desk at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Tips
Vegan and Gluten Free Ingredients for Sale
Vegan and gluten free ingredients for sale at The Green Owl Cafe [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
The Green Owl Cafe has vegan and gluten free ingredients you can buy. You are able to purchase their Tempeh, Cheez Sauce, or Ranch, which are all made at the restaurant.
Additional seating and a refrigerator with drinks, some desserts, and ingredients for sale [Photo by Courtney Vanorio]
Want to learn more about eating vegan and gluten free in Madison, WI? Check out my article listed below.
Have you been to The Green Owl Cafe? What was your experience and what did you order? Add your thoughts below!
Madison, WI has many options for gluten free vegans. Learn all of my tips, tricks, and favorite restaurants for vegan and gluten free food in Madison, WI, USA. Use the map to find vegan and gluten free restaurants near your hotel and popular tourist destinations.