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Ratings and reviews

RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

CUISINES
American, Cafe, Soups
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (76)
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Traveller rating
33
25
10
6
1
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Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
33
25
10
6
1
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Reviewed 13 July 2020

I recently had lunch at Purple Onion Cafe. My daughter had a very tasty quesadilla which was more than she could eat and I had the spinach, tomato, feta quiche that was about the best quiche I’ve ever had in my life. Service was quick...and prices were reasonable.More

Date of visit: July 2020
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 31 March 2020

I rediscovered the Purple Onion after the virus stay-at-home measures were put in place. As a vegetarian who has been spoiled with many good take out places in Newburyport and allowed her cooking skills to slide downhill for a long time, I was wary about...the thought of cooking my own food each day. Luckily for me, and probably for others trying to stay healthy during this crisis - the Purple Onion delivers via DoorDash! The salads are excellent with optional add ons. The wraps are also really great. The vegetarian chili is really, really good too. Truthfully, I think I overlooked this wonderful place because the parking can be tricky, especially in the summer when Newburyport is crowded. I'm sorry Purple Onion that I neglected you. I will try to make it up to you and support your business during this time. Thank you for staying open and helping out needy vegetarians like me.More

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 13 September 2019

We wanted a healthy lunch that was fast. This restaurant was exactly that. There were so many good choices, I had a hard time choosing but ended up with the apricot veggie bowl. It certainly was healthy & really fast. It is small & quaint.

Date of visit: September 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 24 August 2019

I stopped by and got the BBQ chicken wrap. It was very tasty and seemed like it was a rotisserie chicken. It’s a pretty big sandwich, I couldn’t eat the whole thing.

Date of visit: September 2018
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 4 August 2019

We went to the Purple Onion because the menu was appealing but once inside, we were nervous of the smell of an unkept restaurant. Should have left. My veggie sandwich was suppose to have roasted red peppers, squash, lettuce, tomatoe, and cheese. It was a...lettuce and tomatoe sandwich with squash slices. A speck of red pepper was found and no cheese. No taste whatsoever. My husband got a turkey wrap and it was all mayonaise. The turkey was hard to find! Will never go here again eventhough the service was friendly enough. Smelly place with absolutely no flavor.More

Date of visit: August 2019
Helpful?2  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 10 June 2019 via mobile

I came with a group of other guest who wanted to sit outside. We all ordered different items on the menu...and All were JUST average. I was quite concerned when I entered the restaurant, as I smelled a strong odor of bleach. I was seriously...considering leaving. I had the carrot soup (good) and chicken wrap (very prozaic) and in need of everything from texture to taste. The Xhili was just acceptable. The “owner” was very nice and said they had quite a change in fluctuation of customers. Perhaps this was a bad week? I’ll I can say is every time I eat at a restaurant with a dirty and need of paint front door - it’s just not nearly as enjoyable. The street it’s on is lovely!More

Date of visit: June 2019
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 April 2019

great for lunch. delicious wraps, sandwichs and baked treats. reasonable prices, friendly service. few tables in and outside. but close enough to take your lunch to the water front and sit.

Date of visit: April 2019
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Reviewed 17 September 2018

I went to visit a friend in nearby Georgetown this weekend. We took a trip over to Newburyport and stopped into the Purple Onion Cafe for lunch. I am GF and my friend is Vegetarian. We decided on The Purple Onion Cafe in which they...had something for both of us. I had the Spicy Apricot saute, which is GF. Superb! There was enough there for 2 people! You can eat in or out. We ate out on their sidewalk cafe. It was so relaxing. The service was excellent. This is our go to restaurant when we visit the area again! If you go there you won't be disappointed!More

Date of visit: September 2018
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Reviewed 13 July 2018 via mobile

Ate lunch here one day and dinner the next! Quiche was very good and paired with the sweet & sour tomato soup was excellent!! The chicken salad sandwich and the autumn wrap were both great!! The menu is quite extensive!!

Date of visit: July 2018
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Reviewed 19 June 2018

This little restaurant on a pedestrian street serves great salads and sandwiches. I also love their vegan chili.They have take out for those busy days that we all have.

Date of visit: June 2018
Helpful?
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Reviewed 18 June 2018

It's only terrible because it has been closed for a couple of years. They used to make vg sandwiches and chili and rice bowls with reasonable veggie options. Very simple seating but right on Inn Street, the Newburyport pedestrian way, so you could carry food...and sit outside on nice days. Nothing fancy but I was sad when they closed.More

Date of visit: June 2018
Helpful?
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Reviewed 29 May 2018

Here's a fine un-touristy spot for a flavorful lunch, very comfortable seating, and a pleasant staff. Order at the counter and enjoy watching the tourists roaming this seaside gem. We had paninis and a great apricot brown rice bowl with chicken. Everything's made to order,...hot, and tasty. Not fancy or pricey.More

Date of visit: May 2018
Helpful?
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Reviewed 14 May 2018

I tend to get take away from this restaurant and enjoy it on the boardwalk. Everything I have had has been very good and pretty healthy which is always a bit of a challenge to find. If you have toddlers, they have outdoor seating and...its located just across from a playground.More

Date of visit: May 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 1 April 2018 via mobile

Lunch sitting outside on quaint Inn St. Is always a treat. I love their chili and fresh sandwiches. Great place to people watch while you visit Newburyport.

Date of visit: April 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 29 October 2017

The service was pleasant and the food was pretty good, though they ran out of guacamole so a little bland. The problem was the bathroom - absolutely filthy. Even worse than Anchor Pizza, which has a famously dirty bathroom. I used the ladies room AFTER...my meal, unfortunately. I would not of have eaten there if I saw the bathroom first.More

Date of visit: July 2017
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Purple Onion Cafe, Newburyport - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Purple Onion Cafe

Yes, Purple Onion Cafe offers takeaway services.

Purple Onion Cafe is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4