Welcome to Bab Café
At Bab Café, located in the heart of Reno, we embrace the vibrant culture of Korean vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Our story is one of freshness and flavor, featuring dishes like our beloved Classic Bibimbap—crafted over a bed of rice, enriched with an array of colorful vegetables, and topped with a protein of your choice. We strive to create a casual dining experience that promotes healthy eating while minimizing waste, as seen in our intentional recycling efforts. With a welcoming ambiance and customizable bowls that cater to various dietary preferences, Bab Café is not just a meal; it’s a celebration of good food and community.
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303 W 3rd St #130, Reno, NV 89501 Hotline: (775) 502-3018
If you’re seeking a culinary delight that embodies both tradition and innovation, look no further than Bab Café, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of downtown Reno. Specializing in vegetarian and vegan Korean cuisine, Bab Café stands out as a vibrant dining option that caters to a diverse audience seeking flavor without compromise. Located at 303 W 3rd St #130, Reno, NV 89501, this fast-casual eatery has quickly become a staple for locals and visitors alike.
Upon entering Bab Café, you’re greeted by a warm, modern ambiance—a perfect backdrop for enjoying a fresh meal. As soon as you approach the menu, the concept of build-your-own bowls shines through. With a variety of bases, proteins, and toppings, each dish is a canvas for personal expression. You’ll find options like the Classic Style Bibimbap, which features a colorful medley of cooked vegetables over rice, waiting to be transformed with your choice of protein and sauces.
- Bab: A no-veggie bowl with rice and protein of your choice.
- Korean Style Wings: Savory wings that add a delicious twist to your meal.
- Kimchi Fried Rice: A flavor-packed rice dish that marries spicy kimchi with your selected protein.
The standout element of Bab Café is not just the food but the experience of customizing your bowl to suit your taste. Diners rave about the versatility of sauces available, ranging from mild to explosively spicy. One satisfied customer, Gloria J., highlighted her love for the complimentary miso soup, which perfectly complements the bibimbap. Another reviewer, Sam K., praised the generous portion sizes and fresh flavors, reinforcing that this is a place that values both quality and quantity.
The health-conscious will appreciate Bab Café’s commitment to using fresh, wholesome ingredients. As Tamami T. pointed out, it’s not just the food that impresses; the café’s focus on sustainability, with effective recycling options, sets a positive precedent in the Reno dining scene. This commitment to the environment aligns beautifully with the café’s mission to provide healthy, guilt-free meals.
For those who may worry about take-out options, Bab Café strikes a balance with an inviting eat-in space that’s perfect for relaxing or catching up with friends. The ambiance is clean, cozy, and geared towards a community feel, making it an excellent choice for both quick lunches and leisurely dinners.
Whether you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or a newcomer eager to explore, Bab Café promises an adventure for your taste buds. The generous portions, endless customization, and delightful flavors have cemented its place in the hearts of many, as reflected in glowing reviews. If you haven’t visited yet, grab your friends and make your way to Bab Café—you won’t regret indulging in this flavorful experience!
For your convenience, you can reach Bab Café at (775) 502-3018 for any inquiries or to place an order. Embrace the spirit of Korean cuisine today!
First of all, let me say I have been a big fan of Bab Cafe since they first opened. Love that they are a fast-casual spot and located downtown. I went today to get my usual Classic Tofu Bibimbap. Serving size is large in my opinion for the "regular" size. I normally eat half and eat the other half later, that says something. The bowl comes with a cup of miso soup on the side, which pairs wonderfully with the bowl. There are 4 sauces to add at your discretion which includes a spicy mayo *mild*, teriyaki *medium*, gochujang *spicy*, and a really spicy sauce. I love to add a little bit of all the sauces in my bowl. The bowl comes with a great assortment of veggies, and your choice of protein & rice. I believe at one point in time they offered thinly sliced eggs in their classic bowl but they no longer do, which is too bad as I thought it was a great balance with all the flavors. I would like to see it offered again in the future. I requested that they add a fried egg in my bowl today (but at an additional cost) it was great. I am no bibimbap expert, but have found that today and my recent visits I have had my bowls served "cool/room temperature," which I find the flavors combine together better when served hot. I may request that they warm up my bowl if that happens again in the future. But overall, highly recommend if you are looking for a delicious Korean bowl!
I've done plenty of take-out dinner here, but it's the first time having an eat-in lunch. The quicker, lighter version of bibimbap bowls are fresh, delicious and just the right amount -- because, food waste sucks! The place is clean and cozy, and what really impressed me this time was the trash/recycle bins that make so much easier to recycle and cleanup. Honestly I have not seen a lot of recycling system being used at restaurants in Reno, so this is a big thumbs-up! More businesses should be embracing this. I also saw an intriguing DIY ramen. Gotta try that next time!
Food and customer service here was 10/10! I was in the mood for something healthy and found this close to my hotel. I told the server it was my first time there, so he recommended the classic bab, which is just cooked/chilled veggies with your choice of protein. I got the bulgogi beef, and it was delicious! It came out very fast, and tasted fresh. I got the regular size, which I thought was a generous amount. They also have a couple different sauces (mild, medium, spicy) that you can add on yourself once you get your meal. I got the mild sauce, and it was really good! It also comes with some miso soup on the side. The restaurant was pretty quiet inside during that time, so I sat at a table and enjoyed my meal while reading my kindle.
Bab Cafe is open!! It has friendly staff, amazing flavors, and is a great healthy option if you are in the area. I got two large bowls one with bulgogi and one with shrimp. Potstickers and fried chicken as appetizers thanks to a convenient meal deal! We ate in and the ambiance is cool, modern and chic. You can even write on the white board in back and leave a card. I will be back! Thank you for being open and amazing. Cheers.
Miso soup in a little to go coffee cup? 10/5! Probably the absolute best miso I've ever had. My husband and I also each got a bimbap bowl, and I did enjoy it. The food was very fresh tasting and had a really nice healthy feel. That being said, I was wishing for more flavors in the bowl. It was just somewhat under-seasoned and underwhelming. Despite that it was a good amount of food for the price and it was good enough that I'm sure we'll be back at some point. The workers were very nice as well, and I really like the location and inside was nice and large with plenty of seating options.
I'm really sad this place closed!!!! It was my fav place to eat when we didn't want anywhere fancy. It's like Korean for chipotle. You always get a free hot miso soup when you order. I really like the rice it's so good and I like the color. Pro tip if you like rice order an extra it's under $2.50 and you'll be really full. The food is good, they take credit card and the sauce is unlimited :) The server is nice and the ambiance is modern. Will def return when they open again They also have parking on the side that's free
Bab Cafe is stellar. They offer premium food at a reasonable cost. Korean food is somewhat new to the Reno/Sparks area, and this place does it well. Here, you get tasty ingredients, exceptional service, and a casual ambiance without breaking your budget. I love the customization options! I've brought a few friends here. It's close to Shim's, and is a perfect alternative to Kwok's Bistro if you're turned down for service there, as this place doesn't require a reservation!
A hidden gem in Reno for sure. A build your bowl kinda spot. I ordered their kimchi fried rice with Bulgogi beef and it was fire. The flavors and spice were on point, not too spicy. The meat was tender and very flavorful, the kimchi fried rice was perfectly cooked. Be sure to ask for extra sauce for the Bulgogi beef, it's that good. I often crave this bowl because it's so tasty. I ordered the large size and it was big enough for two full meals. The servings are big and worth the cost. The staff were friendly and offered suggestions for your cravings. I love that they cater to gluten free and vegetarian options. The ingredients tasted fresh and delicious. If you're in downtown Reno, don't sleep on this place. I would recommend this cute little spot if you're looking for tasty authentic Korean food. They're fast and healthy. This place hits the spot every time!