Kaya's Cafe - Asbury Park

They offer some of the best vegan meats and cheeses I’ve ever tried, and my partner and I were delighted by the incredible flavors and generous portion sizes. The outdoor seating was comfortable, the wait time was minimal, and the staff was friendly—something that can be hard to find in the city. We specifically chose this spot because a friend of mine mentioned that the only reason I’m not a vegetarian like her is my love for certain “booze rolls.” I never thought I could give up these delicious egg and cheese bagels that have become a staple in my diet. I’m not exaggerating when I say that the sandwiches at Kaya's Kitchen include some of the best options I’ve ever tasted. They rival many non-vegan options I've had in the past, and if I could get this quality of food regularly (which I'm going to try to do), I would definitely consider becoming vegetarian. The food was fantastic, the prices felt fair given the quality, and the portions were larger than what you typically find elsewhere. I just wish it were closer so I could visit more often!

I had a terrible experience at this restaurant. I ordered a burger, and I noticed that the chef handled my burger with his bare hands. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, thinking he had washed his hands, but I should have intervened at that moment. He was distracted by his phone and then scratched his face, leaving me seriously worried that he would touch my food again—and he did. When I pointed out that he had touched his face, he asked if he could wear gloves instead. He then mishandled the burger and threw it in the trash. After that, he put a new one on the grill, made the burger, and left it on the table. I waited for another five minutes for my meal, and when I asked the young lady at the register about the sides, she informed me they were out of stock. Overall, it was not a good experience at all.

My favorite sandwich there is the Jersey Devil with avocado added. It's absolutely delicious!

Always amazing! Friend of mine brought me here and now every time I visit Nj this is a stop on my list. My favorite is the gyro. It seriously tastes better than the real thing! The maple master and cheesesteak are also really good. I highly recommend this place they know all about flavor and creating delicious healthy food. The staff has always been super cool too!

If you were not looking for it, you might miss this great little spot for a quick bite. Kaya 's Cafe is the positive existential image of hole in the wall for vegan grub. Luckily I chose a day that was a perfect sunny day to ride into Asbury Park, for it allowed me to sit outside on the couple of tables they have set up and enjoy a meal to refuel me back home, otherwise there is no indoor seating. I had the tofu scrambled breakfast wrap, which was adequately stuffed with tofu, beans, home fries, and salsa, and can with a side of more home fries (8/10). This hit the stop, it had great flavor and filled you up just enough to make sure you had room for one (or two) of their baked goods, which I had to get. I tried their pumpkin spice muffin, and when I mean tried, I mean scarffed down the whole thing, the best part of it was the delicious crumble on top (9/10). I will certainly be back to Kaya 's Cafe once the weather warms up again to try their other menu items.