Green Door Vegetarian Restaurant, Ottawa

We used to live in Ottawa and frequented the Green Door about once a month. My daughter had alot of food allergies and was raised on her favourite Tofu Stirfry and she loves the raspberry pie. They have an excellent array of hot and cold buffet items all tasty. Dessert is too die for never had anything I didn't like there. It is a bit expensive but, then so are most restaurants and you leave full and with a happy tummy. Atmosphere is more of a college cafeteria but, the food is the reason to go. We are talking about visiting Ottawa and my daughter who is now 14 wants to go to "the Green Door" as her must do activity.

I have never been to an organic veggie restaurant before. Two weeks ago I took my Mom with me . We were first in line so waiting wasn't an issue. I found the atmosphere open charming and clean. We took our time choosing the food all of which was for the first time, so I tried as many items as possible. Two filled plates cost 17.35 with no drinks. But I guess when you consider the quality of what you are eating and the food seems to absorb into you before it hits bottom the price is just about right. For the same price with pop we could have had a couple of hot dogs greasy salty french fries and a hamburger for about the same price BUT certainly would never come close to the food experience at The Green Door. My second visit was custom platter to go, it was excellent. My Birthday's on Thursday and my girls are taking me out to The Green Door. The home cooked experience is worth the price, definitely. Oh ya my Mom loved it too.

The desserts are amazing, and also inexpensive! Even if you don't go for a meal, which is also very good, be sure to stop in for some cake at least.

The majority of the food was vegan (95%), but many vegan dishes weren't labelled as such so i had to ask to make sure. My biggest complaint is that the food wasn't very hot because it had been sitting under heat lamps for a while. Ottawa's other buffet-style vegetarian/vegan place, The Table, has the same problem. Also, paying by weight is never advantageous to vegans because there's a big difference in price between a kilo of veggies and a kilo of cheese/eggs. But the price is the same per kilo for everyone. I gave only 3 stars for service because there's not much service to be had. You get your own food and pay at the cash, and when you're done you bring your own tray/plates/utensils to the cleaning station and have to sort them yourself (glasses here, plates there, utensils in this bowl, garbage in this hole, etc). Overall, i can't say that the food was spectacular. I've been vegan for 7 years now so i've had the opportunity to taste quite a bit of vegan food. None of the food that i tasted at the Green Door was spicy. The mushroom-barley soup needed a few extra cubes of veggie broth (or something else) because it was somewhat bland (and tepid). There was a huge salad bar but i tend to avoid those since i can make my own salads at home with minimal effort. I go to vegetarian restaurants mainly to taste prepared (cooked/baked) dishes. Anyways, there were a few redeeming dishes: The broccoli/carrot/tofu stir fry was very tasty thanks to the sauce (the typical sauce you'd get at a Chinese restaurant, minus the oysters). And the very-yellow rice (don't remember the name) was tasty as well, and had a few diced veggies tossed in it. My mother was there with me, and she ate the quiche and the spanakopita and said they were both excellent. None of us had room (or money?) for dessert. It cost us $20 total for two plates of food and one bowl of soup (no drinks). I may go again one day but i'd have to be in the neighbourhood.

I loved the buffet like style of the food instead of looking at a menu you get to look at the food as you select it. The only down side is it's a bit on the pricy side... well at least for a 13 year old allowance!!

I really like the quality of the vegetarian dishes, taste really good, and is not so expensive... Its a good place to start a vegetarian style

delicious + nutritious vegetarian fare, which is not easy to find in Ottawa. when i went, i particularly enjoyed the spinach filo pockets and the tofu lasagne. with scrubbed wooden tables and a dearth of decoration it feels like your average local cafe -- so my only gripe would be that i wish it had more of an 'atmosphere'...

I was first went to the Green Door this summer, 2005 and I loved it. I love vegs., but never really had organic food before. The food can be expensive, but I guess you get what you pay for. I go atleast twice a week and I head for the flaky spinich tofo things, I recommend this store to anyone who is thinking about tasting organic foods. J.S. Ottawa

I love everything! The food, the dessert, the seating. It's nice to have so many choices with my restricted allergy-related diet. And to have desserts with no sugar! I feel great after eating there. The food is so fresh and healthy and tasty!

I love going to green door, for me, it's one of the best restaurant because the food is great. Not that it is also very great but you can do you're own dishes and the food is organic. That's why I love this place