Natural Oasis image

Natural Oasis

Restaurant

Ethiopian fare, including stews, buffet fare & injera bread are served in a modest setting. People often mention vegan, menu, good, lunch, taste, experience,


Address

288 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

Website

www.naturaloasisny.com

Contact

+1 585-325-1831

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (184 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 8 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 8 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Tuesday: 11 am to 3 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 8 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 3 pm, 5 to 8 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: vegan (9) menu (7) good (6) lunch (6) taste (6) experience (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Mike X. 1 year ago on Google
    Update: Went there for dinner on a Saturday and it was unbelievably good. The lunch buffets they do 6 days a week are really awesome! It's all vegan and healthy. It's Ethiopian food so prepare your mouth for flavors you may not have had, and enjoy! This is a real hidden gem, just looks like they haven't remodeled in a while is all, but if you look past that you are in for a real treat.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Shiv 4 years ago on Google
    This is a good place to get some healthy food that is homemade. Yes, the place itself it a little old, but the friendly staff and good food make up for it. Buffet is all you can eat. I found the cuisine to be similar to Indian food in some cases. The variety of options was limited, but what they had was alright. Price is also pretty reasonable. Note that parking is limited.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 breebreecakes 1 year ago on Google
    Natural Oasis is absolutely legendary. You can't eat this well anywhere else in Rochester and especially for the price. Picture this, a 10 item menu, 5 dollars a dish and actually every single plate is like a joyride for your taste buds. Eating here is an experience you hope to have everytime you go out, but even the most expensive or trendy places around here do not even touch the genius of how Natural Oasis marries spices and flavors together to create healthy, REAL whole food superstar meals. The Chai and desserts are bonuses. Truly the best of the best.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Erika S. 1 year ago on Google
    This is my absolute favorite place to eat in Rochester. The food is so tasty. So good for you. Prepared with love and is priced very well. Small intimate dining area, perfect for a date.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Emma L. 1 year ago on Google
    I LOVE this spot!! Incredible food, I’ve been for both lunch and dinner. This is actually the only restaurant I’ve gone to alone, because the food is that good- it’s inspired me to stretch my comfort zone, and savoring each bite at my own little table was a wonderful experience, that I plan to repeat. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Love the (well distanced) yet cozy vibe. Very welcoming, great experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Susheel Y. 4 months ago on Google
    I liked the food but found the portion sizes on the small side. I did not like how I was treated during my last visit. My wife really enjoyed their tea and you get 2 cups in an order. She asked for another order and the server said that he will check if they have any left since they were closing in about 20 minutes. He came back with 1 cup instead of 2 and told us that that was all that was left. But when I received the check I saw that I had been charged for two orders of tea even though we only got 1.5 orders. I joked that why not charge for 1.5 orders of and the answer I got was 'oh we cannot change for 1.5 orders' to which I replied 'why not charge for 1 order then?' but I didn't get any answer. The whole exchange left a sour taste.

  • 5/5 Zsuzsanna S. 1 year ago on Google
    I had dinner with my friends at this restaurant and it was a great experience. All of their food is vegan and you can try as many as you want for $5 each. They were very accommodating considering the size of the group and provided fast service. All the dishes tasted wonderful, they have amazing spices. I will definitely return in the future and highly recommend it to everyone who is interested in experiencing vegan Ethiopian food.

  • 5/5 SD G. 3 months ago on Google New
    Highly recommend! This hidden gem offers creative, delicious, and nourishing dishes. With some of our party’s gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan needs, the menu was perfect. Two Celiacs were in our group, and we could have everything except for one item on the menu (the pizza, which is cooked separately so there’s no risk of cross-contamination). Some favorites include the flourless chocolate cake, the risotto, the gnocchi, the chipotle curry sweet potato soup, and the chai. It’s all made from scratch in-house. Price is very reasonable, and the tapas-style menu and quaint atmosphere make it a cozy meal out. We will be back again! :)

  • 5/5 Corinna H. 5 months ago on Google
    Best vegan food I’ve ever had! Absolutely delicious!

  • 5/5 Ryan M. 11 months ago on Google
    I just got the lunch buffet takeout, and it was AMAZING. Everything was delicious, including the beets. BEETS!? who knew there was a way to make those taste good? 100% putting this on my regular lunch list.

  • 2/5 John G. 1 year ago on Google
    Maybe I went the wrong day but lunch was less than good. As I have said in other reviews the fact that is vegan gives a start of 5 stars so maybe I should just say I did not like this place. No spice. It was served cool. The injera was very bitter and cold. Atmosphere was worn out industrial. I want places like this to thrive but I can’t lie about it.

  • 5/5 K. S. 1 year ago on Google
    My fav plant-based vegan spot! Rochesters best kept Vegan secret 🤫 A place that’s for those that just know😜

  • 5/5 Faisal s. 1 year ago on Google
    Very great vegan Ethiopian food! I'm not familiar with the cuisine but I really liked it. I can't wait to explore more dishes on their menu.

  • 5/5 Josh S. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is some of the best food you’ll have in all of Rochester. Everything from the menu, service, food, music, and dessert is always amazing.

  • 5/5 Lewis B. 1 year ago on Google
    Very friendly guy who served me here. Food was already cooked and was brought out immediately. It's deemed a buffet but they ask you what food you like and bring it to you, as opposed to going up and choosing yourself. Really tasty food

  • 5/5 Lindsey C. 3 years ago on Google
    I love vegan options in Rochester! Great people and service, it's not crazy busy here but it should be! The food is delicious and so tasty your taste buds will dance. Perfectly seasoned.

  • 5/5 Bethany O. 1 year ago on Google
    Tried this place out for the first time and the food was freaking amazing. Everything on their menu taste amazing and their prices is very affordable too.

  • 5/5 AJ 4 years ago on Google
    First time in, I was struck by the calm, eclectic atmosphere. It was clean and interesting without being pretentious. The host/waiter/cook was friendly, calm and quiet. As I sat down to eat, the food smelled great. The injira bread was nutty and tangy and held together well. The lentils were perfectly seasoned, and the collard greens were AMAZING! (and I usually dislike collards) there were other dishes offered, buffet style. There was water on hand to pour as one wished, which I thought refreshing instead of having someone come ti the table. All in all, it was a very homey atmosphere, like going to a favorite relatives or friends house, knowing you could just help yourself. The cost was really budget friendly and economical! I was very happy to pay their price as cost is usually prohibitive to eating out. I loved my experience, and will do so again weekly!!

  • 5/5 Drew C. 1 year ago on Google
    If you are reading this and still have not been to this place, Head there now! Super cool vibe, and absolutely fantastic food. Had lunch here, and at a quick glance, the food looks simple, but the flavor is extremely complex and I am eager to return. Service was fantastic as well

  • 5/5 Hadassah R. 1 year ago on Google
    A college friend brought me to this spot and now I bring everyone here. The food, the service, the peaceful atmosphere, everything is wonderful! Tapa-style selections are great prices and portions and I love that you can try a little bit of everything for such an affordable price. The taste of everything is amazing and I've always had a pleasant experience here. 10/10 recommend.


Call +1 585-325-1831 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeaway

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