This cafe, tea house and yoga studio in downtown Sebastopol, which opened in 2022, is all about organic wellness, with a “food as medicine” philosophy that includes vegan dishes and healing kavas, cacaos, matcha drinks, herbal teas and elixirs.
The concept makes perfect sense for Sebastopol, a town where the bohemian vibes are strong. But at this time of year, full of fresh starts and good intentions, the cafe’s healthy focus is a terrific choice for all kinds of diners.
The grain bowl is a plentiful, colorful creation piling on rice, mung beans, veggies, kraut, peppery winter greens and a lake of bright green pesto bound with Ayurvedic spices. Tacos are full of flavor and texture, featuring two corn tortillas stuffed with avocado, roasted veggies, greens, vegan cheese and spicy kimchi. And the “Kitcharito,” a hearty burrito of seasoned local rice, beans, cheese, avocado, crisp sprouts, and tart sauerkraut with salsa and vegan spicy mayo, is a standout.
Throughout the menu, there are options to customize dishes to suit different dietary preferences: an aromatic vegetarian lentil soup with fresh herbs and greens, for example, can get a boost from ghee, a shot of miso or curry-infused bone broth. The cafe sources more than 80% of its produce from within 200 miles, uses only local grains and olive oils, and doesn’t use any seed oils, fillers, refined sugars or GMO products.
No alcohol is served, but the cafe does have a strong selection of kavas, cacaos and drinks made with nut milks and spices. Co-owner Jonathan Pinkston, an Ayurvedic practitioner and acupuncturist, says the sprawling, temple-like space also hosts late-night dance parties with music in the upstairs yoga studio.
“We’re here to sell food and drinks, of course, but the main thing is that we’re giving people a cultural space to meet new beautiful people and feel naturally good,” he says.
186 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707-827-8130, softmedicinesebastopol.com