Voltaire vegan restaurant is a 100% Vegan establishment in Bangor, North Wales
This review has been a LONG time coming. I’ve been to the Voltaire Vegan restaurant twice previously, in 2016 ,soon after it opened. It definitely deserves it’s place here on my blog now.
Firstly – food aside, I genuinely think there is something special about a Vegan eatery in a place where there really isn’t much of a vegan food scene at all. To say I’m elated that it’s going the distance, when there are so many businesses disappearing almost as quickly as they arrive on the high-street is an understatement!
Voltaire’s Deco/Ambiance :
Although small, the restaurant has done an amazing job with the space available. The ambiance is both quirky and inviting with various chalkboards adorning the walls along-side artwork and designed skateboards. Plus, for larger parties that want a bit of privacy, there is a large table that seats seven inside a private alcove of a room too.
My previous evening visit was during a ‘live music’ event and the atmosphere completely changes, becoming electrifying. The cosy restaurant was packed, with dimmed lights and candles adorning every table.
Sorry, I have no other pictures of the main room because there were other customers around so – you’ll have to pop by to see for yourself!
Unfortunately, they don’t have an actual website so you can’t see their full menu on-line. It seems like there are ‘special’ days, such as pizza Monday but I couldn’t say for sure as it isn’t actually written anywhere definitively – not a huge issue though! ( Side note – they also had an amazing 3 course Christmas menu which I am heartbroken that I missed!)
I’d originally planned on going there on a Monday evening to see if this was a case, because I’ve been craving a pizza! Unfortunately something came up though so we went at lunchtime another day.
When we arrived we were given a drinks menu, Lunch menu and also the main menu, which has all the burger options. On my past visits i’d had a burger and burrito so I decided to go for something different again because – well why the heck not?!
Pictures of food from previous visits in 2016
You’ll have to forgive me for not taking pictures of the whole menu. Here is the current lunch and dessert one though, so you’re welcome for that at least 😛
As for what we ordered:
For Drinks Rhys and I both went for something a bit decadent (Can I still blame Christmas?…) . He ordered a Turkish delight hot chocolate and I ordered a coconut shake.
The lunch menu isn’t massive, but along-side the burger options I’m sure people won’t have a hard time finding something. We decided to go for the ‘Greedy Buddha’ plate , ‘Creamy Mushrooms’ which is a classic mushrooms in white wine sauce over garlic bread plus a side of chips.
The Greedy Buddha plate was a ‘mezze’ platter of sorts with over 10 separate elements including a trio of hummus with pitta , tabbouleh, edamame salad, Mixed leaves salad, falafels, beetroot & orange salad and sweet potato wedges. I also had a green bean salad , which I think MIGHT have been in place of mixed olives.
Food for thought:
For anyone who likes Turkish Delight – GET THE HOT CHOCOLATE! Rhys loved it and said it is , by far, the best flavoured hot chocolate that he’s had. I was blown away when I tried it too. Delish!
My coconut shake was HUGE, with chocolate drizzle and whipped cream galore. It was very sweet so definitely for those with a sweet tooth! For those that want something a bit cheekier, there is a whole page of Vegan cocktails to choose from! 😉
I was surprised about just how big the portion was for the Greedy Buddha plate ! I genuinely struggled (and failed) to finish it. The hummus options were all delicious. I don’t know WHAT the one on the right is but it is *imitates ‘delicious’ lip smack gesture* .
There wasn’t a single element I disliked on the plate. Even the beetroot & Orange salad was delicious and I can’t stand beetroot at the best of times. The one element that I can’t rave about are the falafels. However that’s a personal taste issue . The texture inside was lovely, but I’m not a huge fan of the actual spice mix used.
The Mushroom dish was a ‘side’ portion ( as we were made aware, when ordering). Yet because of the rich sauce it is actually the perfect size. definitely no complaints from either of us. Perfect ‘date food’ 😉
We were both stuffed by the time we’d gotten through our dessert-like drinks and mains . I wanted to get a Brownie though because I remember getting one previously and thinking it was one of the best brownies i’d ever had.
Now, i’m not sure if the recipe has changed since then… but the texture was more cake-like this time rather than the gooey, dense center like before. Now that’s not to say that it wasn’t absolutely delicious because, believe me, it was. But i’m definitely more a gooey brownie type of gal so. Bring that back please?!
Final Thoughts:
- What I love about Voltaire Vegan restaurant is that , as a 100% vegan restaurant, it doesn’t assume that ALL you want is healthy food. Sure it has plant-based healthy options. But the menu compliments these options along-side a massive list of 12 burger options, foot-long hoagies and various other goodies with meat-alternatives galore.
- With a lovely atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food this is a great place to bring Vegans and non-vegans alike! ( I’d suggest one of the burgers for any veg-curious! )
Rhys’s Final thoughts: Just get the Turkish Delight hot chocolate. Do it!
Cost: £38.25 (£19.12 p/person) for 3 drinks, 1 large main, 1 small main & side and 1 dessert.)
To visit Voltaire Vegan restaurant in Bangor:
Facebook || Instagram
25 Garth Rd, Bangor LL57 2SE
Till next time,
