The Yoga Cafe Relaunch

The Yoga Cafe is a not simply a cafe, but a cafe that sells 100% plant-based and vegan food, one of the few places to do so in Hampshire.

It is a place where you walk in through the door and can have an invigorating experience from start to finish. The atmosphere has always been incredibly open, friendly and positive with food that is fresh, homemade and heavenly, all served by a team of people who truly care about the people who walk through their doors.

Offering inventive meals, snacks, hot beverages, juices and smoothies, the cafe gives a huge variety of options to choose from, opening your eyes to so many new and exciting recipes. With healthy food to replenish your body’s nutrients, as well as indulgent vegan ‘naughties’ that prove that you don’t need to eat healthy to eat vegan. Whichever path you take, a trip to this Cafe will be a treat for your soul!

Unfortunately following the Covid-19 lockdown, The Yoga Cafe, just like many other local businesses across the world, temporarily closed its doors for the unforeseeable future.

However, the future is looking bright with the Government planning to reopen the hospitality industry in July 2020. Much to the delight of the people of Portsmouth and surrounding areas, The Yoga Cafe hopes to relaunch come July. In accordance with the Government’s advice it will be bursting with exciting changes and the same wholesome community spirit!

Cafe by day restaurant by night…

The Cafe is getting a lockdown makeover and will have a comfortable feel of elegance and grace when the team finally get to welcome long awaited customers. With light walls, flowers, ivy and wooden furniture, the room will bring the outside and inside world together in harmony.

One of the biggest changes the Cafe has decided to make is to create a cafe by day and restaurant by night, allowing more time for us to enjoy the experience! The menu is vastly expanding to include many more creative, plant-based ideas and even a Sunday menu. The Cafe has always been open to taking suggestions for the menu and love to try new things, so if you fancy something specific, it is worth asking for your desired dish. In the evening, vegan alcohols will be available and instead of paying at the counter, you will be able to order, receive your food and pay for your food all from your table.

Takeaway food and drinks will still be available, and you will be pleased to know that the Lotus Biscoff latte, hot chocolate and brownies will all still be on the menu!! *mouth waters uncontrollably*

Health, safety and social distancing

In order to work alongside the Government’s advice for preventing the spread of the coronavirus, the Cafe will be opening up two lovely sunlit rooms upstairs for dining in. Because of this, the business had to make the difficult decision to no longer hold yoga classes upstairs. As a business, the Cafe believes that this is the right path to take, as so much more can be explored with plant-based food remaining at the core.

Because of this, the name of ‘The Yoga Cafe’ no longer fits with the future ideas of the business, so the Cafe will be changing its name too! Hold tight and keep tuning in to the Facebook page for updates!

With no more yoga, the Cafe hopes to explore avenues of live music and other workshops to widen opportunities for customers and local talent, as well as keeping the light hearted and cheerful vibe.

As society opens back up again, we still must take precaution when out in public to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease. This is why the dining rooms upstairs have been created, in order to give customers a safe and comfortable space. As well as this, a hand sanitising station will be provided and disinfectant will be available in the toilets too for those who feel they wish to use it. The Cafe, as always will maintain its high health and safety standards in order to keep customers and the team safe and full of vitality.

Community core

The Yoga Cafe is a small and local business that will require lots of support from the local community following lockdown. Big corporations and worldwide businesses will survive this blip, but the sight of unique, vibrant and friendly businesses shutting down would devastate the character of our community forever. That is why it is so important to reach out to local businesses to support those who are really trying to make a difference in our area. This way, you are not only helping the community, but the local economy, the environment and local people too.

The Yoga Cafe has always held the customers close to their heart and although the Yoga will no longer be practiced, the Cafe will maintain a warm spiritual community. All faces from all backgrounds are welcomed with open arms, a smile and a plate of vegan goodness! The Cafe welcomes all suggestions from customers about the menu or directions for the business to take as the team wishes to actively improve their efforts and grow everyday. The menu is highly adaptable as all food is cooked fresh, so most things can be altered if seen possible, which is wonderful if you are a fussy eater or are new to plant based foods! As well as this, there is a wide variety of gluten free options and all mains are available to be made into smaller portions for children, making this cafe as inclusive as could be!

Eco friendly

The health of the planet, our home, is so important to the team at The Yoga Cafe and so try to be as environmentally friendly as possible. There will still be a small range of eco friendly home products such as toiletries and household products to get your hands on in store. There is a heavy focus on using the best alternatives throughout the cafe in regards to biodegradable, waste and cruelty free options, all hopefully keeping the environmental footprint of the cafe as low as possible. Throughout the renovating process, the team have even up-cycled the wooden panel sofa for the book corner into a stylish new front desk!

“We try to use the best alternatives in the way of biodegradable, waste and cruelty free options, all hopefully keeping our footprint as low as possible.”

Emma, The Yoga Cafe owner

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Why vegan?

The Vegan Society defines veganism as:

A way of living which seeks to exclude, as far as possible and practicable, all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose. For many people, veganism is a moral stand, a boycott of products that involve animal suffering and abuse, it’s a lifestyle choice that respects animals and refuses to take part in their exploitation.

The Vegan Society

The Yoga Cafe believes that veganism is a wonderful way to live in harmony with the world around us. The vegan community is brave, strong and beautifully empowered to fight for what they believe in. Through the power of food, The Yoga Cafe demonstrates just how wonderful and easy it is to show compassion to animals, the Earth, our bodies and humankind. The team is always up for supporting their customers in providing support to anyone who is trying out the vegan lifestyle. Whether it’s supplying the facts, suggesting a tasty alternative or even just having a fellow vegan to talk to, The Yoga Cafe is a place where plant based people and ideas come together.

There are many reasons why people may choose a vegan lifestyle. Not only does it stand against animal suffering, but it vastly benefits the well-being of the environment, personal health and fights for human rights.

How to go vegan

If you think the vegan lifestyle is something you would like to try out, but aren’t quite sure how you can go about it, follow this amazing advice from The Vegan Society:

https://www.vegansociety.com/go-vegan/how-go-vegan

Getting there

The cafe is just a short while away from Portsmouth, perfect for anybody who wants to escape the city for a few hours! Getting the number 8 Star bus to London Road in Waterlooville will take you straight there.

If you are driving, there is an Asda superstore a 2 minute walk away with free parking.

Reviews

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
We really enjoyed our visit to this friendly, healthy cafe. the food is innovative and tasty- they offer naughty treats, healthy meals and tasty light bites. We went for light bites and were surprised how filling they were, great portion sizes. Gorgeous coffee, they offer herbal teas and have a good selection of drinks available too.
Good location, close to town- we will be back, this is a promise!
(Happy Cow)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love this place. It is so nice to find a plant based cafe locally and this one is an absolute gem! Fab vegan food, attentive and friendly service, reasonable prices – It’s a truly lovely place to eat
(Happy cow)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lovely cafe with standard cafe type options.
Had the soup – carrot and potato. Was hot and tasty and generous portion. My husband had the loaded hot dog. He said it was amazing and would deffo have again. Wait times are a little long but this is because it’s all freshly made, so totally worth it. Ps. THEY HAVE BISCOFF HOT CHOCOLATE 🤤 I didn’t get a chance to try it but deffo will next time.
(Happy Cow)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Great food and great service we were well looked after which made our visit so much more enjoyable Thanks again to the lovely staff who talked us through some of the menu choices and made us feel so welcome couldn’t recommend it enough
(Restaurant Guru)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Upon my arrival to the yoga cafe I was welcomed by Emma. Its truly a pleasure to see local business in the area pushing veganism, I think with the right audience this place will do well. The food was amazing and the coffee with oat milk was a generous size. definitely be back to try more and some yoga classes in the future. have to give this place a Go and support local businesses.
(Restaurant Guru)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Really fantastic place! Delicious food with a good menu choices. Lovely, friendly staff. Awesome vibes – very chilled out and cozy. Would go back all the time if I lived any closer… Also you should try the brownies!
(Google Reviews)