Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant
6575 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park, FL, 33781
Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Pinellas Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Pinellas Park for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Pinellas Park for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
6575 Park Blvd
Pinellas Park, FL, 33781 - Phone (727) 549-1688
- Website https://www.lotusveg.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:00 am - 8:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Marinda H.
Day/Time of visit: weekday lunch Atmosphere: clean, casual Was so excited to learn about this vegetarian Vietnamese restaurant! My friend and I ordered a Fall and a Spring fresh roll. The Spring roll was a typical fresh roll (lettuce, mint, sprouts, rice noodles, rice paper), the Fall was similar but also had a slice of breaded fried tofu (or tempeh?). Each roll had a different sauce - both were very good fresh rolls. I will probably try the Winter and Summer next visit (there's no info about what's in them on the menu and asking our waitress didn't make things more clear ;) I ordered lunch special #61 Stir fried Rice Noodles with Tofu. It came with a veg soup (broth with a thick carrot slice and 2 thick cucumber slices), a small fried spring roll, and rice. The soup and spring roll were good but nothing special. The portion of noodles and tofu was very small, a bit greasy, and kind of bland. There were about 3 pieces of fried tofu and some slices of carrot in about 1/2 cup of rice noodles. I was surprised to see a big serving of rice on the plate as I assumed they would just skip it because of the noodles. My friend wasn't super impressed with what she ordered #30 Noodles with Spring Roll. I will try Lotus again and hopefully order something awesome. I love Vietnamese food and know it can take a few visits before you find the right dish :)
(3)Kir D.
My all time favorite restaurant. 100% vegan friendly, beautiful setup, friendly owner & staff. Best place, whether you're a vegan / vegetarian or not. I love the Thai iced tea. Can't find anything we've tried so far that we didn't like.
(5)Jerry H.
I've been doing an experiment for the last several weeks limiting my consumption of animal protein. It's always a challenge when dining out. You can only eat so many salads.. So Lotus is really a diamond in a pile of rocks. An the lunch specials are amazing! Highly recommended
(4)Tom K.
Loved the Pho and Winter rolls.
(5)Jennifer A.
This restaurant has very tasty vegetarian and vegan dishes. The wonton soup is delicious as well as the fresh rolls which come in a surprising variety!
(5)Liz S.
If all vegan food was this good, I would be a vegetarian tomorrow. I cannot remember having a meal this good in a long time. Get the spicy noodle soup. It does not disappoint. Price is the next best part. I had a generous size bowl and it was only $7.99. This place is a must if you are in the area.
(5)Paul V.
Lotus was a mixed bag for me. My wife and I are not vegetarians but we're more than happy to eat vegetarian food. Heck, we often ask our servers to take meat out of dishes that don't really need it. So that wasn't the problem. The good news is that about half of the items we ordered were quite good. Vegetarian pho was something I'd never even considered, but I was pretty impressed with it. No idea how they get the broth to taste that good without any meat, but I'm not complaining. The soup was loaded down with at least three different kinds of tofu, too. I wasn't crazy about the "imitation meat" style tofu, but the other kinds were fine. Also, the platter of rau muong xao (sauteed water spinach) that we ordered was excellent. On the other hand, it wasn't a universally good experience. The summer rolls were huge but soggy, probably because they were full of shredded pickled carrot that was still juicy. I caught my wife trying to wring out her roll at one point. Also, the lemonade she ordered was a glass of ice water with a packet's worth of sugar sitting at the bottom, and a thin slice of lime floating in it. Disappointing, to say the least. I doubt that I'll be back at Lotus any time soon, but I'm glad I tried it, and I'm glad they're in business.
(3)Phuong N.
This would not be on my list of recommended places for Vietnamese food in the area. You can get veggie options at other Viet restaurants that are much tastier. The food is overall too sweet. After a few bites, I really didn't want to finish the food other than I did because I was hungry.
(2)Richard N.
I tried Lotus for the first time tonight. Being a vegetarian, it's nice to be able to pick from the entire menu and not be limited to one or two items. The atmosphere is casual, but nice and clean. It's not ornately decorated like most Thai restaurants. The service was very friendly and attentive, and I appreciated the multiple styles of hot pepper sauces on the table to add to the food, if desired. I started with the summer rolls, and they were delicious, warm vegetables and sliced tofu served with a sweet peanut sauce. Very good. For my meal, I ordered the rice vermicelli noodles with tofu and mixed vegetables. It was in a very tasty brown sauce, and not spicy. (I added some of that yummy pepper sauce on the table.) I was extremely satisfied with this dish, and the portion was very large. The prices are extremely reasonable, with meals ranging from $5.95 to around $8.00. They have a variety of Thai iced tea drinks as well. There are some items on the menu that indicate chicken or pork, but they are meat substitutes. The whole menu is vegetarian (I asked, just to be sure.) I would give Lotus 5 stars for the food, with the only tiny bit of criticism being average decor, and a TV that was kind of loud.
(4)Crystal R.
Had a hankering for some pho during a rain storm. I've never tried it, but it always looked so good with all the herbs and sprouts on the side. My boyfriend and I both got huge bowls of pho. It was filling and delicious; it contained several different mock meats, all of which were good, and was even better with some of the spicy sauce mixed in.I had enough to bring home, but my boyfriend finished all of his in one sitting.
(5)N. Mary I.
I have gone back countless times and tried something different each time. Their best dishes are the soups and noodle dishes. Also, try the banh mi sandwiches, and the build-your-own variety which are fun and super delish. Just an FYI to future patrons, this place is ALL vegetarian and vegan so the "meat" titled dishes are vegetarian representations and most people won't notice the difference. The spring rolls are tasty and fun to try as well. Don't be afraid to engage with the server/owner. She's friendly and wants to help you find the right dish for you. If you like one with tons of veggies, ask, if you like one with no tofu, ask, if you like extra tofu, ask that too! Don't miss the monthly buffet, you get a great sampling of many of their dishes and you can vote for menu items for their upcoming buffet on their website. They do need to have better english speakers on staff, one of the only pitfalls of this place. When the owner isn't there, no one speaks english well at all so it can be a bit of a struggle to communicate.
(5)Jenny T.
I am not a vegetarian but I love veggies. This place is awesome!!!!! Great prices, great food, great service. Will recommend to anyone. It was slow when we came in and the server was attentive and kind. We ate the spring rolls, summer rolls, and stir fried veg dinner. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. I don't really like tofu and theirs was excellent. Oh, and the peanut sauce is the best I've had. Go here and get some good food!!!!
(5)Meghan C.
GREAT fresh food! Tasty, healthy, huge portions. The staff is soo nice and very prompt. Delicious every time! Highly recommended! My fiancée and I LOVE it!
(5)Jen S.
Best tasting veggie pho! Can't wait to go back to try more. Staff were helpful in explaining ingredients. Definitely expect very little from the ambiance! It's simple and not trendy in anyway.
(5)Vivian O.
Delicious. Lots of variety, authentic Vietnamese flavors and dishes, clean, friendly staff, low wait times, reasonable prices. Three critiques: --No wine or beer --Not enough desserts. During the monthly buffet, there are no desserts at all. Wait, does watermelon count. Not for me. --Needs more cruelty-free meat variety. All I have ever seen here is tofu. Where is the seitan?
(5)Katherine P.
I am not vegetarian, but have been here multiple times with friends who are. Every time the food is delicious and totally satisfying. The owner is very friendly and always willing to make accommodations or answer any questions. I will definitely go back.
(5)Mimi B.
Are you looking for a healthy, delicious and affordable meal? Then Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant hits the mark on all three. We have dined there many times and are always impressed with how flavorful and satisfying our meals are. We enjoy everything, especially the mushroom hotpot, and hue-style soup. While the dipping sauces are good, please try the appetizers without the sauce. You may find, as I did, that the sauce masks the delicate flavors of the filling. Every time we have visited, the owner, Oanh, has served us. You can see the pleasure in her eyes, when she knows that you have enjoyed your meal. It is obvious that she takes pride in the quality of the food that she serves. You can taste the freshness. Try the restaurant one time. You'll be back.
(5)Kimberly P.
Went here with my vegan sister to try some place new. I had pho, which was served with the traditional add ons of bean sprout, basil, et al. Very fresh and tasty! Would go again!
(3)Xavier G.
This was the best food I've had in a long time! The whole menu being vegetarian (maybe even vegan, for all I know) , was a huge plus for me. My food was amazing, and the prices were very good. The server was very kind, I felt she really cared about us. I can't wait for the monthly Vegan Buffet! -- Tip: get there early for the buffet, or you will not get a table! -- I can't wait to go back again, to my new favorite place to eat!
(5)Jason T.
The food here makes you feel good. The ownership are kind people and they put love into their kitchen. The dining area isn't beautiful, just simple and clean. I would give it give stars if it was a bit more polished atmosphere but I have nothing bad to say about the food. Especially like number 33 fried rice noodles.
(4)Mark B.
Was really good! I saw a couple of negative reviews but decided to give it a go anyways. The person who I was with doesn't like vegan... until now - he loved it and so did I!As mentioned in other reviews the broth is amazing, so flavourful. The noodle dish we had was fantastic too. Again the flavour was remarkable. We will be retuning.
(4)Andy S.
Really great food and super inexpensive. $10 which includes tip will get you an appetizer, banh mi sandwich, and soda. Can't beat it!!
(4)Justin W.
My buddy Manuel usually makes terrible recommendations, but he told me to eat here and it's tasty and delicious!
(5)R S.
Love this place! Food is amazing! Especially the wonton soup, papaya salad, and all the fresh rolls. I can't get enough of this place!
(5)Chet B.
I eat at Lotus at least once a month. I've been eating the pho a lot and it is dynamite. I just got back in town from Seattle where I had great pho twice and, at both places, Lotus does it better. The broth is just magical
(5)Jeremy B.
I have to admit to being a little disappointed in Lotus, especially after seeing the other positive reviews on Yelp. I think this might be because I'm spoiled by Trang Viet, which is a very vegetarian friendly Vietnamese restaurant that I have the privilege of living just down the street from. Lotus was not bad, however, and I'm sure it's an oasis of sorts in an otherwise difficult area to find vegetarian dining. My main gripe with the location would have to be the service and menu itself. Despite being the only customers in the restaurant at the time, we were not checked on very often. This wasn't due to rudeness, but mostly due to the one staffer who spoke the most English leaving for the day. The waitress that replaced her had difficulty speaking to us and we even had to help her ring us out because she didn't know how to work the register. Not good. The problem with the menu is that it isn't particularly descriptive about the food items, and the pictures are tiny so it's difficult to know what you're getting. My wife and her friend ordered a noodle dish, and instead of getting a bed of soft noodles they got a fried noodle pancake. It was good, but not what they wanted and there was nothing in the description to let you know that's what you were getting unless you spoke Vietnamese. The food itself was decently flavorful, and the wonton soup had a broth that was good enough to come back for on its own. I had a peppered tofu dish that simply spiced with ground up peppercorns and subsequently needed a little bit more spice. It was served with plain rice and I ended up dipping the whole thing in my leftover soup broth to give it some more flavor. The atmosphere of the location was very spacious and clean and gives the impression of a more casual dining establishment. It's also apparently used as a church/meeting hall, so I'm sure it's designed this way out of functionality. Summary- I'd really like to give this place a try again to see how the other items taste, but I'm not really in a hurry due to having a better place in my own neighborhood. If you're out this way and vegetarian, it's worth checking out at least once.
(3)Jen L.
Love Lotus! I've been here several times and its always great. I'm a vegan and so grateful to get to go to a restaurant where I can have so many things to choose from. Love the papaya salad and garden vegetable hot pot. All of the fresh rolls are excellent too!
(5)Inspector Y.
Hade a very very good meal here the other night. Tried the Bun Bo chat and the wife had the Hu Tieu kho...also had a roll..yum! Better then my last visit. Keep up the good work!
(4)Tiffany E.
Everything my husband and I have tried here is wonderful! Others recommended the Pho Soup, which we tried on our 3rd visit. Just as tasty as I had hoped! I had the sweet and sour "chicken" which was an item I previously loved before I became vegetarian and really missed since. This dish was definitly a substitute! I also have had the faux pork dish and it was really unique and tasty as well. My friends split one of the hot pot dishes and it was plenty of food and looked quite good! We loved this place so much we went there 3 times in the span of a couple weeks!
(5)Solidad Q.
I wavered between a four and a five on this one -- the food rocked, but I've only gone once. Then I figured that if I wanted to get to get another try at this place, they needed some good buzz, because going home at rush hour I was the only one grabbing takeout. (Two ladies came in wondering what happened to the fried rice. Where was China Lantern's fan base when they needed it?) I got the tofu and veggies over rice noodles, an order of 'chicken' curry and a couple spring rolls. The ladies behind the counter were very nice and offered me a glass of ice water while I waited. The food smelled delicious, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT WAS DELICIOUS. Yes, brave internet explorer (not the browser, but you, the person reading this review) this restaurant is good. I was like you once -- driving past this place, noticing its proximity to a KFC, Amscot and Burger King and wondering, "What? Is that place good?" And, as I said in the sentence before that last sentence, YES. The curry had just the right balance of sweetness and spice, and had a potato or potato like vegetable mixed in with the 'chicken'. The vegetables and the tofu in the rice noodles were both cooked perfectly, with the tofu a bit on the chewy side, and the noodles were tossed in a mildly spicy sauce. The spring rolls were crunchy but not greasy and has a fresh taste. The prices were great too. They have lunch specials which come with a soup and spring roll for around $6. Also: The restaurant is billed as vegetarian and from what I can see it is. I didn't see or taste any egg, and while the noodles had tofu I am not certain what the 'chicken' was -- it definitely was not meat, but I'm no expert so it could have been any substitute. If you have specific dietary concerns, you'll have to ask questions or err on the side of caution.
(5)Laurie J.
We were in town from Fort Myers (where vegan/vegetarian options are non-existent!!). This place had excellent food. I had the Soft Rice Noodles (Ph XÃ o Mm) and my husband had the Pho. I wish we could pick this place up and drop it in our neighborhood. It was also nice to know there was not a bunch of raw animal flesh being chopped up in the back next to our food and that we could choose ANY dish on the menu instead of going someplace and having only one meat-free option :) Seriously - like the poster below stated: we left there saying "Damn that was good". Please open a Fort Myers location someday!
(5)Zee A.
I left this place holding my stomach shaking my head and saying "Damn that was good" I've never left a vegetarian restaurant so satisfied both with how good and how full I was. Amazing. And even more the people who run the place are really awesome. Always friendly, smiling and genuinely happy to see you.
(5)Daniel H.
Even if you aren't a vegetarian, this place is worth visiting. My food was very, very good. I ordered the Summer Rolls (non-fried) with the Mi Xao Thap Cam which was egg noodles stir fried with mixed vegetables and tofu (Thanks, Robert H.). So, so good. I wouldn't change anything about it.
(5)Pat P.
The restaurant is a struggling restaurant by all appearances, but the food was, in fact, very good. We would come back.
(5)Lisa L.
Fantastic little place hidden among a forest of strip malls. The food was very flavorful, full of fragrant notes, nothing overpowering, with lots of good variety. I got Hue style noodle soup, my husband had a tofu and mushroom stir fry, and our friend got pho. I was the only vegetarian in our group, but the boys were very happy with their meals as well. Both soups featured a variety of faux meats, adding complexity and texture to the bowls. The staff (I believe the owner) was also very friendly and helpful, even though we only arrived about 20 minutes before the closing time. The hours have changed from that listed on yelp, with weekday nights closing at 8:30. The place was empty when we arrived, making me a bit nervous, but I am so glad we decided to walk in and give it a try. Everything was affordable priced, about $6-8, and there were also lunch specials and a monthly vegan $9 buffet that I wish I could be around to try.
(5)Holly Y.
Seriuosly delicious veggie food! Th decor is a little funky (big organ) nut the food is a treat!
(5)Anja B.
It is best vegan
(5)Lisa L.
While not crowded on a chilly Thursday night in December, service and food quality here did not show any lapse in effort. I had a fantastic experience at Lotus. The vegetarian pho was as good as some of the best non-vegetarian pho I've had (this is from an avid omnivorous pho eater). The dining area is appropriately decorated with the standard fare of moderately hokey items one might expect in an Asian restaurant. The wait staff I encountered were quite friendly and helpful. Bathroom facilities were clean. I highly recommend Lotus to the vegetarian and omnivore alike!
(5)Nita C.
Love Lotus, food is great, service is friendly. It is great to have another vegetarian restaurant in town.
(5)Megen O.
Went for the first time last night, but always wanted to try this place. We only ordered water to drink, but was very refreshing with a subtle hint of citrus. Boyfriend and I did try the summer roll. Lots of delicious veggies wrapped in a thin rice noodle. Came with a peanut sauce. Was tasty. The menu was a little nondescript. The majority of the dishes seemed to be the same with a slight adjustment in the noodle type. He ordered soft rice noodles with mixed veggies and tofu, I ordered vermicelli rice noodles with mixed veggies and tofu. Upon receiving our food, we discovered this was not the case. When the food came out, we we amazed. His had flash fried tiny crisp bed of noodles with a nice variety of veggies (snow peas, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, onions) and thin desirable strips of tofu. The sauce was tasty too. Mine was sauteed and seemed to use different veggies, lots of carrots and cabbage, and the taste was incredible. I was shocked to see how completely different these two dishes were. Man that was good stuff. I think you have to jump away from the idea of a traditional american restaurant to truly enjoy how amazing this little place is. We will definitely be back.
(4)Jessica M.
I think we must not have ordered the right things, because our food looked nothing like the pictures posted here. I brought my parents here, which was probably a mistake. being Asian, they're pretty critical of Asian food. we ordered the wonton soup, veggie pho, curry tofu lunch special which came with spring roll and veggie soup, fried tofu with peppers, and the special banh mi. everything tasted sort of the same, especially the soups. the curry tasted almost like the same soup base too but with a little bit of curry. the fried tofu was probably the only interesting dish. the was a mildly spicy lemon grass paste on it that was good. banh mi was ok but the bread didn't taste fresh and there wasn't enough filling. I might go back and try something that would be less sweet but not sure how I'd be able to figure that out. oh well.
(3)Bonnie F.
The story of how the owner came to open this restaurant is so inspiring that we had to try it. We were not dispppointed. The food was tasy and presented beautifully. Not too spicy but with a subtle afterglow. I had the summer rolls and the dipping sauce was delightful. Then I dug into the green papaya salad served on a square plate and loved every bite. The portions are generous, the owner is cheerful and helpful and my wish for her is continued good health and an enormous interest from the public to make this a go to place.
(4)Day W.
Review for monthly buffet; every 3 Saturdays. $11.99/person. About 8-10 dishes. They take recommendations so tell them what they should make. White rice, some sort of red rice (natural/not colored), fried rice, stir-fry noodle, stir-fry chinese cabbage, eggrolls, spring/summer/fresh rolls, battered, deep fried tofu, tofu w/ lemongrass, coconut curry soup, vegetable soup, sweet pickle (papaya&carrott&lotus stems). Yes, most dishes taste sweet. Hope they'll be able to stay in business. PARKING: Very limited on evenings when they have buffet.
(3)Tahsin L.
All right, all right, all right: the hype is real. The no. 45: Bahn Mi Dac Biet (if you're not vegan, try the vegetarian choice) is phenomenal and is better than the ones I have tried in Chinatown in NYC, the epicenters of Vietnamese food in the country itself, so have at that for sure. It is also cheaper, and the bread is fluffier and easy to chew, unlike so many other places, and the sauce is some kind of elixir from heaven. Whatever they use for their meat substitute will make you forget about meat. There, I said it!
(5)Scott p.
Good vegetarian options.
(4)Sherice Y.
I was super excited to see this restaurant at the Tampa Veg fest. I loved Vietnamese food and was so relieved to learn that this was a vegetarian establishment. The food that I had was sweet and sour tofu, mixed veggies, and braised tofu with mushrooms. Everything was delicious. I can't wait to visit this restaurant. Another great thing is that it is MSG free!
(5)Viviane L.
We had cellophane stir fried, combination fried rice, and spring roll. They are tasty and satisfying. The filling in the spring roll is taro and it tastes great. I was satisfied with the meal even though there was no meat :)
(3)Joshua S.
Wow! I am definitely coming back here. My pho looks like it has beef in it but it's actually tofu and in fact tastes better and healthier than the real thing. Great service, very kid friendly, nice array of spices to choose from. Definitely worth the visit.
(5)Dion D.
We ordered avocado smoothie. It tastes like rotten avocado. The other dishes we ordered (wonton noodle soup, braised tofu and papaya salad) were really average. It feels like they did not care much.
(2)Andrew C.
WOW! That sums it up- Authentic vegan food that even non vegans would enjoy. The food was so tasty, not spicy- each dish had it's own flavor and uniquely delicious. Portions were very good sizes (we had to take home everything we ordered). The waitstaff (the owners) were so nice and the place is clean. Amazing selection on a tremendous menu with many choices. If we lived here I would be a regular for certain. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that NON-vegetarians TRY THIS ESTABLISHMENT! They will be surprised.
(5)J T.
This place is awesome! Wish I could give it 6 stars! Love the story of how they started. Love the food. Love the quantity. Love the price. Please open another restaurant in Atlanta!
(5)Rhea P.
Nourishing Healthy Delicious Vegetarian So grateful to have found this place on Yelp.
(4)Angel B.
If you think that Vegetarian meals are lacking, you need to have lunch at the Lotus. My favorite is the crunchy Tofu Spring rolls.
(5)Connie M.
Had a delicious lunch here. I had the Pho and my boyfriend had the broccoli and rice. We ordered spring rolls on the side. My soup was delicious. I would ask for it with no tofu next time but if you like that, it was a hearty portion. My bf's broccoli was super delicious. I was really surprised. At one point he threatened his fork on my hand to stop me from 'tasting' his again! Lol. We will be back and look forward to trying their monthly veg buffet.
(4)Michelle R.
The food is tasty, well prepared, the service is friendly. Extremely light and delicious veggie soup! While the prices are very reasonable borderline cheap (lunch 5.65), I would happily pay a little more for more veggies. The servings could be larger. But overall, enjoyable healthy food, nice service in a casual atmosphere.
(4)Scott H.
What a delight. Everything from the greeting to the eating was wonderful. The only negative that I can see in this place is if you are a meat eater, you probably will not appreciate the delicacies served here. It is vegetarian. The dining room was very quaint and simply functional; in fact, it is an old "Pizza Hut" if you can take the irony of it now being a vegetarian restaurant; however, a great location for a simple delicious healthy meal. I ordered the Spring Rolls with the Mi Xao Thap Cam (Number 21) which was egg noodles stir fried with mixed vegetables and tofu. They served the Spring Rolls fresh and hot leaving a light crispy texture. The vegetables inside were very delicate. The sauce that accompanied the Spring Rolls was very flattering with a mild sweetness. The main dish included a mix of vegetables and tofu topped on egg noodles that provided a symphony of delightful flavors. The vegetables were carrots, mushrooms, broccoli, and red peppers with a fresh crunchy taste. The egg noodles perfectly complimented the lightly browned tofu. The whole combination was satisfying but not over filling. I definitely plan to return. This place deserves a visit whether you are a committed vegetarian or just looking for an occasional change from the everyday. A great place to try.
(5)Betty R.
Very good. If I knew how to season veggies like this, I wouldn't miss cooking with meat. :-)
(5)Thomas A.
Not the best experience for me, sadly. First, the waitress (owner?) did not speak english. Not a big deal normally but... The menu has four types of spring rolls (one for each season) but no description on the menu about what really distinguishes each one (specific ingredients). Since the menu does not say, we had to ask the waitress for specifics...it was a painful process. We ended up just picking one at random - it was fine. Normally in places that have a non-English speaking staff, the menu is pretty detailed in this regard. Next up, I ordered the chicken curry. I was glad to see a non-Vegan option on the menu as I'm not a strict vegetarian. Most other dishes contained tofu, an item which disgusts me. I was extremely disappointed when the curry arrived, and instead of chicken, there were large tofu chunks. Nasty! The curry itself was outstanding, but the fleshy, puddingy squares of tofu were not. I would have rather had added veggies or something. Anything! I understand this is a vegetarian restaurant, but vegetarian places sometimes offer poultry or fish dishes. It was the only item on the menu which mentioned chicken, so I took advantage. Every other veg-place I have eaten at calls such faux-meat "Chik'n" or such, or just says "tofu chicken curry". Tofu Chicken is not Chicken. It gives me shudders just thinking about it. I can still see it trembling in my bowl like it was alive and sentient. I need to come back and try the monthly buffet to get a better feel for this place. I love vegan food, just not tofu. I did have an iced coffee that was outstanding, and the place is very nice inside with a soothing vibe. As a compromise, I still rated it A-OK, and am open to exploring it more on the buffet day.
(3)Bill G.
Wonderful Vietnamese food! I had spring rolls and tofu vegetables. If you like no meat no dairy eating, this is the place for you
(4)Brendan C.
Lotus Restaurant is my favorite restaurant in the Tampa Bay area. The restaurant itself is located in Pinellas Park, but it's worth the drive from the Tampa area especially for Vegans like myself. HUGE SELECTION, PHO, BUN BO HUE They serve vegan and vegetarian-friendly Southeast Asian affair. Mostly Vietnamese food, such as Pho, Bun Bo Hue, Seasonal Rolls, Wonton soup, and many other bowls and dishes that are great to eat and healthy too. FRIENDLY STAFF AND FAMILY-RUN The family that runs this restaurant is very accommodating, the prices are affordable, and the options are plenty. My family comes here often because it's one of the only restaurants that serves Durian and Durian smoothies (the king fruit, mind you). LOCATED IN PINELLAS PARK I honestly think this restaurant suffers from it's location though, if it was in the City of Tampa, especially South Tampa, I would go to this restaurant at least twice-a-week. Tampa suffers from a great lack of vegetarian/vegan restaurants and most of the jewels such as Lotus are in Pinellas County. It's sad because I could see this restaurant being a top-notch Vietnamese restaurant if it was located in an area that's more welcoming to vegetarian/vegan food such as St. Pete or in South Tampa. Another issue that this restaurant has is the scenario-typing of having the word "Vegetarian" in the name. Many food goers or curious foodies probably skip this restaurant because of the stigma of the vegetarian word, which would make people think the food is different from normal Southeast Asian food when it's better. I love their Pho and Bun Bo Hue from here as well. Please stay open and support Lotus Vegetarian, this restaurant has a lot of potential and should be a staple in the Tampa Bay area for the Vegan community.
(5)Sarah G.
This place is tiny but packed full of delicious food. I got combination fried rice and the Flavors were so refreshing. The vegetables tasted fresh. My boyfriend got some pho with Seiten and soy in it. I was skeptical of its flavor but was surprised how refreshing and the hint of spicy. It was a great experience. I didn't care for the spring rolls... the filling inside was a strange mushy texture that I didn't enjoy.
(4)J E.
Great food, good service, incredible prices- big portions! The restaurant itself is humble and exactly what you'd expect it to be and my waitress was very well presented and kind. Many vegan and health food options and the food itself wouldn't scare away your average omnivore by any means whatsoever. I'll definitely be back- a lot.
(5)Steve P.
The healthiest, best tasting food in the area hands down!!! Eat here! You won't be disappointed
(5)Oksana F.
Great Food! Their summer rolls with the peanut sauce...MMM and Congee Soup...Yum
(5)Pyra-Danny V.
Truthfully it's difficult for me to worship the vegetarian ground Lotus sits on. Maybe it's because I'm Asian and devour many of 'my peoples' dishes, but I feel many Asian dishes still function well without Meat. So hear me out as I review this as a regular ol' Asian restaurant. CRUNCH CRUNCH DROOOOL The Noodle Stir Fries are covered well (but not drowning in delicious sauce). I've never had flat, thick, crunchy Rice Noodles as a base before... it was like my array of crisp Veggie were sitting on another place made of the Fried Noodles. Those fried Noodles stayed crispy the whole time. The Pho was definitely affected by the Vegetarian concept--Meat subs like 'soy-Beef' were used which was unusual texture. At least the Veggies provided a variance in the 'squishy' textures of the subs. The broth still tasted kinda similar but less oily and lacking the subtle Meat hints. I've never had a Winter Roll before (Like a Summer Roll but with small Potato and crispy sticks--garlic?--inside) but it was a delicious treat. SIMPLE SURROUNDINGS Both the outside and inside can easily be overlooked. Mild decorating. The floor is pretty open but most of the small tables have been filled--even on week nights. I'll have to go back for lunch because the deals look awesome for the price! Little touches like the Water infused with Citrus made you pause with AH-HA BRILLIANT surprise. AND HEART FELT SERVICE My tiny tiny gripe is some off-timing with the food coming out. Dinner prices are also mildly higher than similar dishes from similar-styled restaurants nearby with similar portions. But immediately greeted, seated, and continually watched over throughout by an adult Lady and older gentleman--the service is fantastic. A quick look at Lotus's website reveals a love for this kind of cooking and the reasoning--and it definitely shows in the service.
(5)Mylapore M.
This is heaven for vegetarians. the food quality is consistent all the way from appetizers to dessert
(5)Jessika P.
Fourth time eating here was for lunch yesterday. Not sure why the service is so horrible and why I asked for no soy or Sietan meat products in my pho and as I was eating I found some. I am celiac so can not have wheat gluten which is a form of sietan. I eat vegetarian because I love vegetables not cause I want fake meat! Also we were never checked on, our dirty plates were never cleared, our soup appetizer came out after our food. we were also never brought water. We ended up ordering from menu to find on the back same dish was 6 dollars cheaper at lunch, she could have told us that. Portion was not a dinner portion so why were we charged dinner price? $4 for a Thai coffee seems steap! Also, I eat Thai and Vietnamese everywhere I dine, this is just ok. Just moving to this area I am pretty disappointed in the lack of care from the places we have eaten in this area
(2)Chelsea F.
DELICIOUS!!! I've only had takeout from Lotus, but the food is absolutely delicious!
(5)Amelia D.
Still the best food I've ever eaten! I came twice back on a recent trip and tried a few new dishes as well as some of my old favorites and everything was amazing! Staff is always super friendly and accommodating! I only wish that there was a Lotus Vegetarian in Ohio!
(5)Coty S.
After all of the glorious reviews, I was hoping that Lotus would live up to all of the hype. Keep in mind, that most items on the menu are not actually available. There were a few times that we were shot down when ordering from the menu. The prime let-down was Bun Xeo. Most of the dishes are easily served at any Vietnamese restaurant if you request to omit the meat or have tofu. The one dish that is worth ordering at Lotus is their version of Pho, because the soup tastes as if there is a meat broth, but it is still totally vegetarian. It must be made with some ancient form of delicious wizardry. I'm still not understanding how house fish sauce is made without using fish sauce...
(3)Eric S.
If it was once breathing, I'll feel no guilt in eating it. Definitely curiosity over health or sudden conversions to vegetarian-ism that brought me here. But upon entry, I didn't find hate posters of meat-eaters--it LOOKED LIKE any REGULAR, LOW-PROFILED ASIAN restaurant both inside and out. The menu contained MANY OF THE SAME DISHES found in local, nearby Vietnamese restaurants--without the formerly-breathing-proteins of course. I enjoyed GF Pyra's STIR FRY DISH much more than my pho. It was so TASTY with CRISPY VEGETABLES and squishy TOFU STRIPS it seemed like adding meat would've just been wasted on the flavor. When I go to Vietnamese restaurants I like ordering the BEEF PHO COMBOS so I tried getting something similar--my mistake was expecting that. For sure the FLAVOR WAS eerily SIMILAR. Even the additions down to the sprouts, leaves, and noodles were great. But I WASN'T USED TO the texture of TOFU AND FAUX-BEEF inside. Too similar textures to the noodles. Next time I'LL JUST GET A STIR FRY. How can I forget the insanely HELPFUL STAFF? I only saw two people the whole time but my water glass never ran empty and I was checked up on at the right times. Lotus--I'll be back!
(4)Jan Y.
So so ... got 2 person hot pot. Price vs quality is not poor. Not sure why rating so high. I think this place is overrated.
(1)Kate B.
Delicious. Fresh. Friendly. Great menu selection. Having the broccoli and tofu lunch special and its delicious, with a great variety of freah veggies and great flavor qith the perfect amount of heat. I'll be back to try sone of the other tasty optiond for sure! for sure!
(5)Victoria F.
My sister, mom and I had lunch here last November because we all love Pho and my sister happens to be vegan. We all really enjoyed our food. My sister loves being able to go to restaurants and be certain things on the menu are in fact vegan instead of the "we will take the meat and cheese out" promise that never seems to workout for her. The only thing I didn't like was I found a hair in the soup (I did notice the server had her hair up so I don't think it was hers) so one star off for that because it kind of grossed me out.
(4)Ashley A.
The place is clean, service is fast, food is delicous! I got the lunch special tofu and veggies, which comes with steamed white rice, spring roll, and veggie soup. Everything had great flavor. I will be back asap
(5)Christina G.
Don't let outside appearances fool you!! This place is amazing! While the decor may feel a bit outdated or worn out, none of that will matter once you get your food. Everything tastes super fresh and home cooked. They have a cute herb garden out back, so you know it's fresh! Family run and operated which is a nice change. I had the sweet and sour tofu, spring rolls, and a noodle dish (forgot the name), and all were equally DELICIOUS. I wish my stomach was bigger so I could have eaten more. Great little place with fantastic food. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Dominica F.
SO GREAT!!!! As a vegetarian I really appreciate a restaurant that doesn't serve ANY meat. My father is a meat eater so of course he's skeptical about eating "vegetarian food" but I was super excited to try it! I pretty much just told the waitress what I wanted which was fried tofu, lots of veggies (named the kinds I wanted, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers etc.) and rice with a gravy. She smiled and gladly wrote down what I wanted. My father ordered the "beef" pho. The pho came out first with a plate of sprouts and basil to put in it. My father wanted to eat it with chopsticks so he simply asked her and she quickly brought out a pair. My order came out about 5 mins later and boy did it look delicious !! It was everything I asked for. It was incredible and the prices were really good too! My plate was 9.99 and my fathers soup was about 7.99 and he ordered a Thai tea for 3.99. The Thai tea was overpriced for the amount we got but it was cool that she asked if we wanted it began style or vegetarian meaning she either our almond milk in it or regular milk. Overall my dish got a 10/10 my fathers was a 8/10 because the broth was a bit overly salted and the Thai tea a 5/10 because it was quite sugary, there was a lot of milk in it, very small glass, & price was too high for it. Would defiantly go here again but just wouldn't get the Thai tea. *if the restaurant is reading this a good little idea to make the restaurant look nicer is get some wall dividers constructed in to separate the restaurant & make it look more spacious and RE PAINT!!!*
(5)E J.
As others have mentioned, Lotus is in what appears to be an old chain restaurant. The appearance both inside and out leave something to be desired. Definitely has the hole in the wall feel. Family run. Has high-chairs The food is a bright spot for the area if looking for vegan or veg-centric food. Everything I tried was good but not great. 3 stars for the appearance inside and out. 3.5 stars for the food. Worth the trip from the beach.
(3)Alissa W.
The Pho wonton noodle soup here is the healthiest Asian cuisine I've ever had. I would probably request a payroll deposit into their bank account from my paycheck made weekly if I lived closer. Lol what I enjoy is the fresh veggies, textured tofu, hot crispy wontons, flavorful broth and the two rings of jalapeño to add just enough spice for me.The atmosphere is quiet and simple, not congested. Can't say I am willing to try anything else on the menu yet because I have a love affair with their Pho. Maybe some day I will venture beyond it but not too soon. As most ppl have mention in other reviews the appearance isn't the reason to go here, probably not a place to try to impress someone with. The service is always friendly however there can be a language barrier pending who greets you.
(4)Savitre S.
I've been here a few times and although I'm not a vegetarian, I can still find enough options to choose from, and then some. Everything is cooked to perfection and served very quickly. I have yet to try the buffet but I have heard rave reviews about it. I have consistently ordered the sweet and sour tofu- generous portions, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, great flavor. I am shocked that I do not have a picture here yet! I have also ordered stirfried vegetables and the flavor and texture were on point! My friends have ordered the bun bo hue, grilled tofu and pepper, and Che Thai and they were happy with the first two listed, especially. I look forward to my return!
(5)Karen F.
Completely unexpectedly excellent. We are rarely in this part of town, so I was excited to try a new place for lunch. Yelp said to come here, and once again it was correct. The outside is nothing special, but inside it was a nice airy room, with plenty of seating, and a nice clean feel. The food that two women near us were eating looked delicious, so I'm afraid we 'cheated' and got exactly what they had: the papaya tofu salad and the vegetable hot pot. The papaya salad came out first, perfectly spicy, and the strips of tofu were delicious, having soaked up the sauce. This was followed shortly by the hot pot. They put a little burner on our table, set a huge pot of simmering broth filled with various tofu types (faux shrimp, faux sausage, etc), and then brought a gorgeous assortment of super fresh vegetables (carrots, bok choy, cabbage, broccoli, etc) to toss in the boiling broth. Tossed it in, gave a few stirs, and by the time we put noodles into our bowls, the veggies and broth were ready to be spooned over top. So delicious! The flavor of the broth was excellent, and combined with the fresh veggies and tofu it made for a filling, healthy, flavorful lunch. We even had some left over, which our server kindly wrapped up for us versus me making a huge mess doing it myself. Service was very friendly and extremely efficient. I loved my Thai tea with almond milk. I'm still in shock/awe at how good my food was. We will definitely be back!
(5)Adam L.
Vegetarian heaven - but all type of eaters can enjoy the fabolous taste and diversity of flavor of this family owned and operated Vietnamese joint in Pinellas Park. In an old Pizza Hut, don't let appearances deceive....fresh herbs growing out back. We first tried on an empty weeknight - late. Great diversity of soups, noodle dishes, curries, rice dishes and oh that papaya salad and lotus root salad. ...and so many good starters...But the main event is every third Saturday night when they have that amazing buffet - get to try so much! A diverse packed crowd, sure but they keep putting out fresh delicious food! Still worth it on other nights for stuff not on the buffet (hot pot, etc) but Buffett Night is always on our calendar.
(5)Justus G.
at first I wasn't sure if I would like it. Ordered Spring roll and was so impressed I had to order another one. I got the sweet and sour with tofu and was amazed when it taste like chicken. The waitress was wonderful. She kept up the water with no ice, also had a very beautiful smile
(5)Ninos I.
Being a vegan in saint petersburg is fun, however when eating out around here it is often challenging to find a non dairy, meatless dish. After Lotus opened up my wife and I have frequently had many dinners here as we introduce our friends and family to our lifestyle. The menu almost fooled us into believing that it was real meat, and some of the soups even play the part. The best thing about lotus is the warm family atmosphere, with friendly and courties staff. Lotus is a family owned and operated business that makes food like my mom did in a kitchen, full of love and care. The portions at Lotus are great, I've never left feeling unsatisfied, or needing more. I love ordering Ban mi to go here when I order in, Ban Mi is a Vietnamese wrapped in crunchy french breads. Every dish at lotus is jam packed with fresh herbs, and so is the Pho. Pho is a Vietnamese soup, but would have ever thought a meatless pho can be so good. This place surprised me because it is rediculously affordable yet so good for you. It is challenging to find a restaurant these days that can merge price with quality in such a manner that Lotus creates.
(5)Muhua F.
Food is good but horrible customer service. My friend and I walked in and no one greeted us. Our server left her dirty pitcher of water on our table, and on top of that we found a piece of hair on our dish and they took it back and started eating it themselves !!!
(2)Julie R.
Words I like to hear: NO MSG! This restaurant does not use MSG! Be aware, it is totally vegetarian; they serve no meat at all. Trust me when I tell you, even meat-eaters will come away satisfied with this delicious, hearty food. Now, let the raving begin! Lotus is clean and friendly and peaceful inside. You are warmly greeted by who I believe was the owner (she was there both days I went). The first day I ate here, it was for lunch. I would highly recommend going at lunch time because you get AWESOME lunch specials at ridiculously low prices ($5.99, and it includes the main course, rice, spring roll and a yummy veg soup - it's an unbelievable bargain and plenty of food). I got the sweet and sour tofu with white rice. Oh, it was just so delicious. The tofu was breaded and the flavor was amazing. It comes with peppers, but I left them out and added carrots instead. They customized the dish to accommodate me and I appreciated that. The veggie soup had a wonderful flavor; it was really, really good. And, the spring roll was wonderful too. My friend had the tofu curry. It was quite good too and she loved it. Hers also came with the spring roll, soup, and rice (lunch special). We both ate a delicious and hearty meal for $12! We ate here also for dinner the next night (yes, it was THAT good). We both had the same thing I had, the sweet and sour tofu. Thing is, at night the prices go up a bit, but it is twice as much food. It comes with the rice, but not the veg soup or spring roll. We shared a bowl of sweet and sour soup which had celery, okra, and and a bunch of other good stuff. But, it was a tad spicy for my liking; my friend loved it. We also had a really good pot of green tea. The prices at night range from about $8 to $13. Still, it is an amazing value. We actually could have shared 1 meal because it was a lot of food. The restaurant is impeccably clean. There is only one server (and, again, I think she might be the owner). She is fantastic - she continually brings out water and tends to your needs; she was really a very kind, pleasant person. The location is at a major intersection (Park Blvd. and 66 Street/693) in Pinellas Park (in between Clearwater and St. Petersburg). There's a lot of traffic and congestion in the area. But, once you enter the restaurant, all that noise goes away - it's very nice inside. Don't let the traffic and not-so-pretty buildings in the area scare you away! This is a great restaurant and there is something for everyone, trust me. The menu is huge and an entire family can eat there for a reasonable amount of money. When I find myself anywhere near here, you can be sure I will be back. I loved everything about it.
(5)Nina M.
Came here for the first time last night and I was not disappointed. My fiancé and I tried an assortment of items on the menu - summer rolls, wonton soup, vegetarian pho, and banh mi. The summer roll was very fresh and came with a side of peanut sauce. The only thing I found myself wanting more of were the noodles as opposed to them being stuffed mostly with shredded lettuce. The wonton soup was very flavorful and tasty. My fiancé's pho was also good and came with all the traditional sides. The waitress (possibly the owner as well?) suggested I try the fake chicken banh mi. Overall, it was tasty and the sauce had great flavor, but the bread was slightly over toasted. Service was good overall, but the waitress/owner was spread then when it started to get later in the evening. I could tell other tables were slightly annoyed, but the food was still well-paced and it didn't bother me. I am thrilled that I found a vegetarian restaurant close to home and that the menu is both diverse and tasty. I can't wait to try their vegan buffet one day. A must visit in Pinellas Park for vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike.
(4)Elizabeth D.
I love love LOVE this place. I have been craving bun bo hue soup but since giving up meat last year, I have not been able to have any (insert sad face and tears). Then I walk into Lotus and I have the most delicious bun bo hue soup ever. And it makes me not miss meat at all. AND it's even better IMHO than the original! I walked in for lunch and returned a few hours later to grab pick up for dinner that night and the next. I also had their pho and wonton soup. Both were delicious and I really enjoyed their taro dumplings. The chayote in the soup is such a creative and tasty choice. Their mock meats are phenomenal. They get them from Cali. I live in Channelside, but will definitely make the drive out here multiple times a month for some of that soup!!!!!
(5)Chi P.
Flavorful AND vegan!! Yay! Took our parents here, and everybody loved the food. Everything was delicious - "meat" pho, banh mi, lemongrass tofu, two other tofu dishes, noodles with mixed vegetables... They don't have extensive dessert options. I tried the bean custard, and it was below average. But everything else was great. Wonderful vegan option in Tampa Bay!
(4)Ramona P.
I visited this plan in July 2014 and I really enjoyed the food.
(5)