Fresh, imaginative vegetarian cuisine

During this time the VFW building was split  down the middle, front to back: the east side housed Seva Restaurant while the west side housed Soybean Cellars Market.  The two businesses complemented each other well – great vegetarian food and an extensive natural food market, in the days before you could find tofu, nutritional yeast or vitamins in national-chain grocery stores. Seva’s dining room on Liberty St. was defined by rough cedar plank walls, windows filled with stained glass panels, plants galore, and hand-built wooden booths. 

In 1996, Seva’s owner Steve put the restaurant up for sale. The hope was for a buyer who would step in as a new owner but continue with Seva’s staff, menu, and operations. This dream came true when then Head Cook Maren Jackson, along with her husband Jeff Jackson, stepped forward to purchase the restaurant, finalizing the sale in February of 1997.

Around 2008, Maren & Jeff were approached by George N’Namdi, owner of the G. R. N’Namdi Gallery in Detroit. George had attended Ohio State and was familiar with Seva Longevity Cookery in Columbus; he later received a PhD from the University of Michigan and was a fan of Seva in Ann Arbor.  The purpose of George’s approach was to recruit Seva to open a second location in his Detroit gallery campus.  

Seva Detroit opened in December 2011, at 66 East Forest Avenue. Seva Detroit shares a building with the G. R. N’Namdi Gallery and is tucked into the back of an historic brick building, bordered by a large, private patio. Our Detroit location is in the Midtown neighborhood of Detroit, within easy walking distance of the Detroit Institute of Art and not far from Detroit’s sports stadiums and music auditoriums. 

Our dining room has witnessed countless stories, laughter, and moments of connection over the past half-century. We've seen first dates blossom into lifelong love stories, reunions of friends that have filled our restaurant with joy and laughter, and generations of families create priceless memories as they gather around our tables to share a meal. Your smiles, laughter, and shared moments are the true ingredients that have made Seva a beloved part of our community over the past five decades. While our dining room has transformed, the decor has evolved, and the menu has expanded, two things remain constant - our commitment to serving you the finest food & the warmth and love that you, our loyal customers, have brought to our tables.