Tuna Tartare vs. Avocado Toast: Which New Hope Starter Should You Order?

It’s the question that comes up more often than you’d think at our New Hope table.

You’ve sat down, you’ve ordered your coffee, and now you’re looking at the menu and it comes down to two starters: the Tuna Tartare or the Avocado Toast. Both are good. Both move. Both have their loyal regulars.

So which one should you actually order?

The honest answer depends on who you are and what kind of meal you’re building toward. Here’s how we’d break it down.

The Case for Tuna Tartare

If you want to start bold, the Tuna Tartare is the pick.

It’s a lighter starter, but not a timid one — fresh tuna with clean, bright flavors that open up the palate without weighing you down before the main course. It’s the kind of dish that signals you’re here for an experience, not just a meal.

Who orders it?

•     People who’ve had good tartare elsewhere and want to see how ours compares — we hear this a lot
•     Guests who are keeping things light and want something fresh and protein-forward
•     First dates and anniversary brunches — it photographs well and gives you something to talk about
•     Anyone who eats with intention and wants their first course to actually mean something

What to pair it with

The Tuna Tartare pairs cleanly with our cold brew or a light iced espresso. If you’re going savory all the way through, follow it with one of our pasta dishes or a salad. Don’t follow it with something too heavy — let the freshness carry.

The Case for Avocado Toast

Avocado toast has been on every menu in America for the better part of a decade, and the reason is simple: done well, it works every single time.

Ours is done well. It’s built on fresh bread from our bakery kitchen, with avocado that’s actually ripe and properly seasoned — not the pale, underflavored version you’ll find at most chain cafes. It’s familiar enough to be a sure thing and put-together enough to not feel like a default choice.

Who orders it?

•     Regulars who know what they want and don’t want to think about it
•     Guests who are pairing a lighter starter with a bigger main course
•     Anyone eating with someone who ordered the tartare — they split well
•     Weekend morning visitors who want something reliable and genuinely satisfying

What to pair it with

Avocado Toast works with almost anything on our drink menu — it’s the universally compatible starter. Follow it with one of our breakfast sandwiches, a brunch plate, or a pizza if you’re going the savory route for the full meal.

The Honest Verdict

Order the Tuna Tartare if: you want something that feels intentional, you’re eating light through the meal, or you’re on a date and want a talking point.

Order the Avocado Toast if: you want a sure thing, you’re pairing it with something bigger, or you’re splitting with someone who’s getting the tartare.

Order both if: there are two of you and you can’t decide — which is the right answer and the one we’d suggest most often.

About Our New Hope Kitchen

Both dishes are made fresh at our New Hope location at 41 N Main Street. Our kitchen uses halal ingredients across the board, and these starters are no exception.

New Hope hours: daily 9 AM – 9 PM. Reserve a table: (215) 983-1211.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 Are both starters available at the Philadelphia location too?

A.1 Our menu offerings can vary slightly between locations. The Tuna Tartare features prominently at our New Hope location. For current Philadelphia availability, check our Philadelphia menu page or call (215) 613-5946.

Q.2 Are these starters halal?

A.2 Yes. Every dish at both Vanilla Cafe locations is fully halal.

Q.3 Can I order starters as a light lunch on their own?

A.3 Of course. Many of our guests come in specifically for a starter and a coffee, especially on weekday afternoons. There’s no minimum order or expectation.

Q.4 Are starters included in the all-day brunch hours?

A.4 Yes — our full menu, including all starters, is served from open to close (9 AM to 9 PM) at both locations.