City Lights Cafe - Sylva

We loved this place! Been on the road with our service dog for a few weeks, and found this place through Happy Cow, as we head towards the Great Smokey Mountains. Being there felt like a big, warm hug. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, from customers to owners. We could have had a few more hours there (but the road beckoned). Many speed options, the good Panini and Burrito hit the spot. Bonus: There is a beautiful little bookstore upstairs, and I have a copy of a book I wanted to read (Lessons in Chemistry). I wish I could give City Lights 5 stars, but Happy Cow does not allow it because it is not 100% vegan. Thank you. City Lights to welcome strangers to your city!

I love City Lights! They are the way to come for college kids here and also for tourists a weekend. Your coffee selection is amazing and they offer oats, almonds and soy milk options. My favorite foods from here are her pasta salad and her vegan bread! You can ask for vegan cheese on your pasta salad instead of their traditional parmesan cheese, which is really great. I had recently her vegan brkkie and it was life changing because it was the first time I had tried to speed and now I'm connected. They really take COVID-19 seriously so they emphasize, take, and their service is still great. You can order online and your order is ready in 15 minutes how long it takes me to get there. Staff are always super friendly and willing to help you.

Because it is COVID, we just ordered online and sat outside, then the Barista said we were there. Much bigger than outside. I got the tempeh sandwich and underbed vegan cheese (which was kind of sweet, but it was still good and I was happy to have a nicely balanced option for breakfast), my partner (non-veg) got the tuna melt and said it was good. The server was very nice and brought us water and treats for our dogs. Overall a good breakfast option before you meet some of the area hikes.

Our server was great, the food was good, the atmosphere inviting. Very vegan accomadating. Small town homey feel. Visit the book store, sit and read while eating!

I come here numerous times when we’re in Sylva! Almost anything can be veganized and they now have amazing homemade vegan cashew cheese. Highly highly recommend