Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar At Zen Garden — Restaurant in Panama City Beach

This is the first time I’m writing a review a week after my visit because the treatment I received at the restaurant was so offensive and hurtful that I needed time to recover and process it.

My husband and I politely asked if they could clean the table we wanted to sit at, which was under a tree outside. The very young man working there approached the table with a very unpleasant attitude and cleaned it very carelessly, leaving half of it dirty, and then walked away. I went inside the restaurant to ask to speak with the manager, and he responded in an even more dismissive and hurtful manner. He was an older man with white hair who claimed to be the owner. After some inquiry, I found out that he lied and he is not the owner but only manages the restaurant.

The manager spoke to me with terrible condescension and disrespect, claiming that when I ordered the food, I took a long time to decide and caused people to wait! In reality, it took me maybe three minutes to place the order because I am a regular customer and used to eat there at least once a week.

I shared with the manager that his attitude was very offensive to me, especially since I am a regular customer and enjoy dining there. He did not apologize at all and made me feel unwelcome. He didn’t even try to stop me from leaving the restaurant, and this was before I even received my food.

I am an American citizen but not originally from the United States, and I am quite sure that the main reason for this behavior was severe racism, unfortunately.

This is the saddest review I have ever written because I loved this place. Despite the fact that the prices of the dishes are outrageously high compared to other restaurants, I kept coming back. I always spoke politely, even this time. But I just felt like they wanted me to leave and that I was not welcome there. I went home hungry and hurt.

By chance, or maybe not by chance, I met a guy who used to work there last year and knew us well as regular customers. He shared with me that the older man is not the owner but just the manager, and he also shared that the reason he quit was because of this man.

It saddens me that because of a manager with such poor human relations, I have to give up a regular dining spot that I enjoyed, and above all, for purely...

If there were 10 stars to give I would. If there were a rating called "OMG I'm in love with this place and never eating lunch elsewhere ever again" I'd choose that. I'd honestly spend every free afternoon I have here if I had the money to do so. Okay, so first of all there is nowhere else like this around. Being transplants from up north this felt like being home. It is beautiful and peaceful. Gardens and waterfalls and a pond. They sell plants. There is a health store that sells essential oils and gemstones and local honey and lots of other stuff. There is a cafe where they have an amazing array of choices for teas and coffees and cappuccinos. There is a yoga studio that runs classes 6 days a week. There is a massage studio. And then there's the food place. We ordered a trio appetizer that included dairy free cheese made from sunflower seeds (we were so skeptical but this was soooo good), hummus and tabouli served with carrots, apple slices and pita bread. All delicious. For entrees my husband ordered the salmon plate and I ordered the jerk chicken plate. The jerk chicken was good. The salmon was the best I've ever tasted. We ended up sharing. Our server was super friendly, welcoming and told us all about the place and everything they had to offer. Lovely. After we ate we headed over to the coffee bar and met the owner Marcus who made me a caramel machiatto (the real kind, not the generic Starbucks version) and my husband had some sort of espresso with lemon. We got to watch him make them. He was super friendly and the drinks were awesome. Haven't had coffee that good since we moved here. If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a lovely lunch please check this place out! You will not be...

Lotus was our very first stop as soon as we reached PCB Friday before last. I found Lotus listed in the Happy Cow App. How exciting to find a menu filled with vegan & healthy goodness. This was my first experience with Lotus & now wish there was one in my town. The staff was knowledgeable, friendly & welcoming. The restaurant had a calming ambience. We were surrounded by gardens, water fountains & a koi pond. There were indoor seating & outdoor garden seating options.

All of the food exceeded my expectations.

The grilled house made veggie burger topped with sprouts, organic spring mix & veggies set the bar high for me. The chipotle sauce set it off with just the right kick. I don’t think I will be able to order veggie burgers anywhere else because they will never live up to Lotus’s. The potato salad was the best I’ve ever had. My husband (not vegan) enjoyed the sweet chili glazed salmon with zen slaw & potato salad. He was extremely satisfied & left nothing behind.

In addition to the cafe there is a juice bar loaded with healthy drink options, a small gift shop, as well as, a massage therapist on location.

If you’re ever visiting Panama City Beach, please treat yourselves at Lotus Cafe & Juice Bar. You will not be disappointed. Also, purchase a Lotus Cafe t-shirt. It’s so soft. I absolutely love...