Celebrating nearly 50 years in Roosevelt, Sunlight Cafe proves vegetarian comfort food can win over everyone. This family-owned gem offers more than affordable meals—its cozy atmosphere and genuine warmth create the connection and soul many restaurants have lost. No wonder it’s the neighborhood’s oldest dining establishment.
When my wife and I want to treat ourselves to good, healthy food and a cozy dining experience, we go to the Sunlight Cafe. It’s vegetarian, but plenty of non-vegetarians (like us) go there just for their great, affordable comfort food. For us, it’s their Greek spinach salad, black bean burrito, enchilada plate, and our favorite—the avocado and cheese sandwich. I usually get a cider or beer on tap, but they serve wine and cocktails too.
The food is great, but honestly that’s only half of the reason we go there. In a world where so many restaurants seem to have lost their soul, Sunlight stands out for its warmth, coziness, and connection. I just feel happy when I eat there.
That vibe is no accident. When I reached out to owners Cheryl Richards and Adrian Noone for this story, they shared some of what goes into the culture of Sunlight. Everyone is cross-trained, so your cook is often the one bringing your meal to your table. When Sunlight moved from its old location on Roosevelt to its current spot at 9th Ave NE and NE 64th St, the architects wanted to close off the kitchen. But Cheryl and Adrian opted for an airy, open layout that feels more like the connection between your kitchen and dining room table. Lots of little decisions like this add up.
Part of the charm of Sunlight is no doubt due to its history. It was founded by three families in 1976, and many members of those families have worked in the restaurant since (that’s baby Adrian being held by his mom in the photo). This family continuity is part of what makes Sunlight feel so homey.
That founding date makes Sunlight the oldest dining establishment around this part of Seattle (Teddy’s was founded eight years later). That also means that next year Sunlight will celebrate a half century of serving food in Roosevelt! I personally can’t imagine a Roosevelt without them in it.
It’s tough being an independent restaurant in Seattle these days, though, especially if you’re committed to serving high-quality food at fair prices while also treating your staff well.
As neighbors, we can do a lot to ensure this wonderful jewel continues to thrive well into our future. Drop by for breakfast starting at nine every day but Mondays, when Sunlight is closed. They are open for lunch, and dinner is served until seven Tuesday through Thursday and nine on Fridays and Saturdays.
Want a quick and healthy alternative to a hot bar lunch at Whole Foods? Just choose from their menu on the Sunlight website and call ahead with your order at (206) 522-9060. It’s super easy, and you get to talk to a real (nice) person.
One last thought. A few weeks ago, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association ran a survey asking neighbors what they thought was most needed in Roosevelt. Here were the top answers:
No, Sunlight doesn’t have a pharmacy, but they do have great baked goods, serve as a gallery to local artists, and have space to host community events. And one of the best ways to prevent abandoned storefronts in the neighborhood is to proactively treasure the restaurants and other businesses that we already have. That goes double for a place like Sunlight, with its deep, deep roots in our community.
Each month, the Roosevelt Neighborhood Association’s Business of the Month recognizes a neighborhood business for their great service and community involvement. To learn more, please email contact@rooseveltseattle.org.