A Buddhist run restaurant in the heart of Leicester that serves delicious vegetarian food.
Emily Duncan
Friendly place with wonderful vegan options :)
Victoria
A mixed bag. The food here is great and I come here a lot. It's also a really nice space. Toilets always clean. What lets it down is the service. Ordered two drinks and two meals. Jacket potato was placed on a plate that was too small. Beans were spilling over the side and it couldn't be eaten very easily without creating a mess. Drinks arrived pretty late after the food and one was wrong (ordered matcha latte received a coffee). I asked if the drink was correct as matcha is usually green? and server said yes. A few moments later a lady server came over and took the drink away telling me the drink was in fact wrong. Eventually received the correct drink which was really nice but few times I have been here, the service has been similar and a little shaky.
Martin F
Vegan cakes were great, but be sure to check as the young girl serving us was telling us things were vegan or gluten free, then another member of staff corrected her.
JenMontague
Really enjoyable lunch here. They served good quality, healthy food, in a relaxed setting. Will definitely go back.
Roland Levy
I went there recently with my family and we had a lovely time together.The coffee and cake was very good and the staff were friendly and helpful getting us settled. One of the things we liked was how spacious it was, which is great when you've got children. You can't tell from the outside but the cafe is a really big space and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We also had a quick peek at the bookshop meditation room. Maybe next time we can try some meditation if we manage to get a baby-sitter. Will definitely be back sometime soon ☺️
Stuart Cave
What a lovely peaceful gem of a cafe this is!I’ve been here a few times for a cappuccino and a slice of cake. The staff are really friendly, the atmosphere is really calm and the food is delicious.I think it’s a tranquil escape away from the bustling streets of Leicester city centre. I’m so glad I found it.Thank you - I’ll be back soon!
Carlos Morales
During my stay in Leicester, I found myself visiting this charming spot on numerous occasions. It was a delightful retreat where I could seek tranquility in the midst of a bustling day.Nestled within a Buddhist meditation centre, this café is truly a remarkable establishment. The moment you step through the doors, you're instantly enveloped by its distinctive atmosphere.Managed by a dedicated team of volunteers hailing from across the globe, this is certainly not the place for those seeking a typical fast food experience.I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to pop in and discover this hidden gem in the heart of town. Don't hesitate to inquire about their meditation courses, as the affable staff are always eager to engage in friendly conversation.Vegetarian options: They only do vegan and vegetarian food.
liliapatterson
My most recent experience at the Leicester Buddhist centre was a strange event I did not find peaceful at all, instead deeply perplexing. As someone who used to live in Oxford, working at a vegetarian cafe opposite a Tibetan Buddhist centre for several years, becoming friends with various of the Tibetan monks, I anticipated being invited to the cafe as a welcome experience.Instead, the opposite was true. I was invited by my partner after not seen each other for a while and we were looking forwards to a peaceful time together. Instead the first thing I noticed was the prevalence of Buddhist art, which happened to include figures ambiguous in sexual nature, predominentally like topless females. Indeed observing the various golden statues in the central meditation room, there were two very clearly topless females.As a female myself, I don't find depiction of the female body in sexualised form as something I wish to observe, since I respect the value of privacy of the body. Therefore I found it strange to see such a focus on the female form in what was meant to be a spiritual space. Instead I found it deeply disturbing, confrontational and unnecessary. When any part of the human body which is normally private, is thrust in your face against your consent, whether male or female, regardless of whether it is justified by being described as 'religious', I am deeply uncomfortable with the experience, which I would describe as a violation against my consent.The other Buddhist centres I've been to and meditated at, had prayer flags everywhere, and felt like spiritual spaces. There were no semi-nude icons everywhere, like you'd found yourself in some kind of topless massage parlour, justified by being called Buddhist.Then when we went to the counter, the two female staff then started messing around giggling and flirting, joking with my partner, in front of my face, while standing next to him, which was not just unprofessional, but also rude. I felt deeply uncomfortable with their behaviour, as did my partner. I just stood there saying nothing, while they totally ignored me, as they carried on their entertainment in front of him while ignoring me as if I wasn't even there. My partner also felt awkward and embarassed, and as soon as he'd been given his drink he left and rushed off to sit down, and wait for me, leaving me alone with the women. As soon as he left, and they saw me standing there, waiting for them to calm themselves, their faces fell like petulant teenagers, as if I'd ruined their private party. I then calmly asked if I could have a glass of water. They told me I could help myself to water from a jug, then walked off with their noses in the air.I found the experience so bizarre and awkward that I would never go there again. I didn't find the experience peaceful or spiritual in any shape or form at all.I spoke to my partner after and he told me that he felt the prices were too high and he felt rushed and pressured like he felt the people there wanted to get money out of him, so that's why he went to sit down to relax. He had nothing more to say about the strange behaviour of the women, and then we carried on our conversation talking about our own private business.Since I'm more used to meditating in Buddhist centres with a focus on prayer and prayer flags rather than an exploitation of the female form, as an opportunity to extract money from people, I would never choose to go to the Leicester Buddhist Centre ever again. As far as I was aware the lesson of Buddha was meant to focus on the spirit and on prayer and being a good person rather than on using the body, in particular that of the female form, to extract money from people.Everyone is different evidently.As a female, I'd rather stay away in future, and avert my eyes, and hope to find somewhere else more peaceful, with more polite and professional and less rude and childish staff as well.Avoid like the plague more like.
In the heart of Leicester, I stumbled upon an enchanting oasis that provided a serene escape from the bustling urban life. Run by a committed group of volunteers from around the world, this delightful café, tucked away within a Buddhist meditation centre, offers a unique atmosphere and a delectable selection of vegetarian and vegan fare.What sets this charming spot apart from conventional fast food experiences is not only the tranquil ambiance but also the impressively affordable prices, with all dishes priced below £7. From time to time, they even merge meditation sessions with delightful culinary experiences, resulting in truly unforgettable events.As you enter the café, its distinct character is immediately apparent, making it an exceptional locale within the city. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone in the area to pay a visit to this hidden treasure and experience the warm and welcoming environment fostered by the amicable staff.The friendly team members are more than willing to discuss their meditation offerings, creating an inviting atmosphere that will undoubtedly charm all who enter. If you're in town, don't miss the opportunity to visit this standout destination and enjoy its remarkable fusion of tranquility and delicious food
Anne Wall
What a beautiful place this is , poped in for a coffee and then I realized I could go to meditation at 12.30pm so spent 30 mins in meditation room as well , an added bonus .1 Star .... staff were very welcoming1 Star..... very very clean1 Star ..... coffee gorgeous1Star ...... beautiful atmosphere & decor1 Star ..... meditation .Will recommend and be back for a visit again soon . Thankyou World Peace Cafe .
Bethwildflower14
Firstly, it's really nice to see more vegan options on the menu including vegan meals in the evening for events, especially as this is more in line with Buddhist beliefs of not harming and being kind to all animals. There are still a few vegetarian options that include eggs and dairy such as cakes/main menu, but I'm really hoping this will be completely phased out over time. The actual vegan food and drinks were lovely, and the cafe itself had a very calming atmosphere with welcoming and friendly staff. I must say we were very disappointed when a 'friendly' volunteer actually turned out to be an ex butcher who had not long sold his establishment of pain, suffering, and death. We understand the cafe is run by volunteers but we personally found this very odd, uncomfortable, and unsuitable especially considering Buddhist beliefs/ethics and the beliefs/ethics of the people who may visit/eat here including us. It was even more disturbing when the person went on to tell us how they were craving meat and went to McDonald's to get their fix, and fed raw meat/blood to their dog. Especially as we are both vegan and had not long finished our lunch, it literally turned our stomachs! We had really enjoyed our vegan lunch but unfortunately this left us feeling very sick and ruined it for us, and so we won't be returning again anytime soon because of this. For future volunteers we think you should really carefully consider who you have serving and interacting with customers, what a shame!
Helen Randall
Lovely veggie place to pop in for lunch. Great atmosphere and delicious food. Great selection of hot drinks too
Simon Maddj Parry
A wonderful mindful space in the heart of Leicester.. Order of the day was a falafel wrap with humus olives and sweet chilli sauce. toasted to perfection. The cafe is not the hidden gem it once was.. its more a blossoming flower welcoming all manner of visitors. Congrats team a wonderful visit today.Vegetarian options: All Vegetarian / Vegan menu
Lovely atmosphere nice place to go staff helpful
A Buddhist run restaurant in the heart of Leicester that serves delicious vegetarian food.
Friendly place with wonderful vegan options :)
A mixed bag. The food here is great and I come here a lot. It's also a really nice space. Toilets always clean. What lets it down is the service. Ordered two drinks and two meals. Jacket potato was placed on a plate that was too small. Beans were spilling over the side and it couldn't be eaten very easily without creating a mess. Drinks arrived pretty late after the food and one was wrong (ordered matcha latte received a coffee). I asked if the drink was correct as matcha is usually green? and server said yes. A few moments later a lady server came over and took the drink away telling me the drink was in fact wrong. Eventually received the correct drink which was really nice but few times I have been here, the service has been similar and a little shaky.
Vegan cakes were great, but be sure to check as the young girl serving us was telling us things were vegan or gluten free, then another member of staff corrected her.
Really enjoyable lunch here. They served good quality, healthy food, in a relaxed setting. Will definitely go back.
I went there recently with my family and we had a lovely time together.The coffee and cake was very good and the staff were friendly and helpful getting us settled. One of the things we liked was how spacious it was, which is great when you've got children. You can't tell from the outside but the cafe is a really big space and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We also had a quick peek at the bookshop meditation room. Maybe next time we can try some meditation if we manage to get a baby-sitter. Will definitely be back sometime soon ☺️
What a lovely peaceful gem of a cafe this is!I’ve been here a few times for a cappuccino and a slice of cake. The staff are really friendly, the atmosphere is really calm and the food is delicious.I think it’s a tranquil escape away from the bustling streets of Leicester city centre. I’m so glad I found it.Thank you - I’ll be back soon!
During my stay in Leicester, I found myself visiting this charming spot on numerous occasions. It was a delightful retreat where I could seek tranquility in the midst of a bustling day.Nestled within a Buddhist meditation centre, this café is truly a remarkable establishment. The moment you step through the doors, you're instantly enveloped by its distinctive atmosphere.Managed by a dedicated team of volunteers hailing from across the globe, this is certainly not the place for those seeking a typical fast food experience.I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to pop in and discover this hidden gem in the heart of town. Don't hesitate to inquire about their meditation courses, as the affable staff are always eager to engage in friendly conversation.Vegetarian options: They only do vegan and vegetarian food.
My most recent experience at the Leicester Buddhist centre was a strange event I did not find peaceful at all, instead deeply perplexing. As someone who used to live in Oxford, working at a vegetarian cafe opposite a Tibetan Buddhist centre for several years, becoming friends with various of the Tibetan monks, I anticipated being invited to the cafe as a welcome experience.Instead, the opposite was true. I was invited by my partner after not seen each other for a while and we were looking forwards to a peaceful time together. Instead the first thing I noticed was the prevalence of Buddhist art, which happened to include figures ambiguous in sexual nature, predominentally like topless females. Indeed observing the various golden statues in the central meditation room, there were two very clearly topless females.As a female myself, I don't find depiction of the female body in sexualised form as something I wish to observe, since I respect the value of privacy of the body. Therefore I found it strange to see such a focus on the female form in what was meant to be a spiritual space. Instead I found it deeply disturbing, confrontational and unnecessary. When any part of the human body which is normally private, is thrust in your face against your consent, whether male or female, regardless of whether it is justified by being described as 'religious', I am deeply uncomfortable with the experience, which I would describe as a violation against my consent.The other Buddhist centres I've been to and meditated at, had prayer flags everywhere, and felt like spiritual spaces. There were no semi-nude icons everywhere, like you'd found yourself in some kind of topless massage parlour, justified by being called Buddhist.Then when we went to the counter, the two female staff then started messing around giggling and flirting, joking with my partner, in front of my face, while standing next to him, which was not just unprofessional, but also rude. I felt deeply uncomfortable with their behaviour, as did my partner. I just stood there saying nothing, while they totally ignored me, as they carried on their entertainment in front of him while ignoring me as if I wasn't even there. My partner also felt awkward and embarassed, and as soon as he'd been given his drink he left and rushed off to sit down, and wait for me, leaving me alone with the women. As soon as he left, and they saw me standing there, waiting for them to calm themselves, their faces fell like petulant teenagers, as if I'd ruined their private party. I then calmly asked if I could have a glass of water. They told me I could help myself to water from a jug, then walked off with their noses in the air.I found the experience so bizarre and awkward that I would never go there again. I didn't find the experience peaceful or spiritual in any shape or form at all.I spoke to my partner after and he told me that he felt the prices were too high and he felt rushed and pressured like he felt the people there wanted to get money out of him, so that's why he went to sit down to relax. He had nothing more to say about the strange behaviour of the women, and then we carried on our conversation talking about our own private business.Since I'm more used to meditating in Buddhist centres with a focus on prayer and prayer flags rather than an exploitation of the female form, as an opportunity to extract money from people, I would never choose to go to the Leicester Buddhist Centre ever again. As far as I was aware the lesson of Buddha was meant to focus on the spirit and on prayer and being a good person rather than on using the body, in particular that of the female form, to extract money from people.Everyone is different evidently.As a female, I'd rather stay away in future, and avert my eyes, and hope to find somewhere else more peaceful, with more polite and professional and less rude and childish staff as well.Avoid like the plague more like.
Restaurantji Recommends
In the heart of Leicester, I stumbled upon an enchanting oasis that provided a serene escape from the bustling urban life. Run by a committed group of volunteers from around the world, this delightful café, tucked away within a Buddhist meditation centre, offers a unique atmosphere and a delectable selection of vegetarian and vegan fare.What sets this charming spot apart from conventional fast food experiences is not only the tranquil ambiance but also the impressively affordable prices, with all dishes priced below £7. From time to time, they even merge meditation sessions with delightful culinary experiences, resulting in truly unforgettable events.As you enter the café, its distinct character is immediately apparent, making it an exceptional locale within the city. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone in the area to pay a visit to this hidden treasure and experience the warm and welcoming environment fostered by the amicable staff.The friendly team members are more than willing to discuss their meditation offerings, creating an inviting atmosphere that will undoubtedly charm all who enter. If you're in town, don't miss the opportunity to visit this standout destination and enjoy its remarkable fusion of tranquility and delicious food
What a beautiful place this is , poped in for a coffee and then I realized I could go to meditation at 12.30pm so spent 30 mins in meditation room as well , an added bonus .1 Star .... staff were very welcoming1 Star..... very very clean1 Star ..... coffee gorgeous1Star ...... beautiful atmosphere & decor1 Star ..... meditation .Will recommend and be back for a visit again soon . Thankyou World Peace Cafe .
Firstly, it's really nice to see more vegan options on the menu including vegan meals in the evening for events, especially as this is more in line with Buddhist beliefs of not harming and being kind to all animals. There are still a few vegetarian options that include eggs and dairy such as cakes/main menu, but I'm really hoping this will be completely phased out over time. The actual vegan food and drinks were lovely, and the cafe itself had a very calming atmosphere with welcoming and friendly staff. I must say we were very disappointed when a 'friendly' volunteer actually turned out to be an ex butcher who had not long sold his establishment of pain, suffering, and death. We understand the cafe is run by volunteers but we personally found this very odd, uncomfortable, and unsuitable especially considering Buddhist beliefs/ethics and the beliefs/ethics of the people who may visit/eat here including us. It was even more disturbing when the person went on to tell us how they were craving meat and went to McDonald's to get their fix, and fed raw meat/blood to their dog. Especially as we are both vegan and had not long finished our lunch, it literally turned our stomachs! We had really enjoyed our vegan lunch but unfortunately this left us feeling very sick and ruined it for us, and so we won't be returning again anytime soon because of this. For future volunteers we think you should really carefully consider who you have serving and interacting with customers, what a shame!
Lovely veggie place to pop in for lunch. Great atmosphere and delicious food. Great selection of hot drinks too
A wonderful mindful space in the heart of Leicester.. Order of the day was a falafel wrap with humus olives and sweet chilli sauce. toasted to perfection. The cafe is not the hidden gem it once was.. its more a blossoming flower welcoming all manner of visitors. Congrats team a wonderful visit today.Vegetarian options: All Vegetarian / Vegan menu