Hard Times Cafe

Hard Times Cafe's own Facebook page and Wikipedia article describe it as a worker-owned vegetarian cafe that has operated since 1992. A personal blog calls it all-vegetarian with vegan options, and multiple HappyCow reviewers confirm that the menu contains many vegetarian and vegan items. The cafe is structurally designed as a vegetarian restaurant, though shared equipment is used for both vegetarian and vegan dishes. A dedicated vegetarian kitchen makes this a strongly trusted choice.

Multiple sources describe the venue as a worker-owned vegetarian cafe since 1992, with most items also being vegan. HappyCow lists the venue under Vegan-friendly and Lacto/Ovo categories. A separate directory review notes the vegan biscuits and gravy are a favourite, and mentions a seitan Philly sub with vegan cheese. However, one reviewer recounts eating a non-vegan coffee cake by mistake, indicating not all pastries are labelled clearly and the kitchen does not appear to guarantee 100% vegan preparation. Shared-equipment risk for strict vegan diners who avoid trace cross-contact.

The FindMeGlutenFree listing reports that the venue does not have a dedicated gluten-free menu, though some items like chili and salads can be modified. A single 9-year-old review says staff were willing to check ingredients and preparations, but also carries a prominent disclaimer that this is NOT a dedicated gluten-free facility and may not be safe for those with coeliac disease. A more recent HappyCow review generically mentions younger gluten-free+vegan diners finding something, but offers no kitchen practice details. Best-effort accommodation only; cross-contact risk in a shared kitchen is unaddressed.

A joe.coffee review reports that staff served whole milk instead of oat milk, directly affecting a lactose-intolerant diner. While the venue is vegan-friendly and some menu items appear dairy-free, there is no marked menu, no staff training on dairy, and the milk substitution error suggests inconsistent allergy attention. Best-effort accommodation only; cross-contact risk is unaddressed.

A HappyCow reviewer mentions 'most pastries are vegan, but not all, I made the mistake of eating the non-vegan coffee cake,' which suggests egg may be present in some baked goods. No other source discusses egg specifically. This is a thin signal; call ahead to clarify whether any egg-free options can be reliably prepared.