“Food Is Medicine” at Wild Alchemy Cafe in Wallingford

Aaliyah Rivera isn’t characterizing her restaurant Wild Alchemy as vegan, or plant-based, or any specific labels. Rather, she’s taking a “food as medicine” approach as the new owner of the cafe in Wallingford. 

“I always want people to know that being healthy doesn't mean sacrifice,” she said. “I think that making healthy choices in your food doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice flavor and a good meal. Healthy is fun, it’s colorful, it’s good for you.”

The young entrepreneur was a manager at the cafe before buying it from founder Colleen Morgan last fall, taking the leap into ownership at just 20 years old. Morgan praised her in a Facebook post announcing the transition in November.

“Aaliyah joined us fresh out of high school, just finishing a military training program, when she decided to dive headfirst into the magical world of Wild Alchemy,” she wrote. “Her strength, dedication, and eagerness to learn quickly made her an integral part of our team, and eventually, the one I trusted most to carry our legacy forward.”

“Aaliyah has big ideas for the future. We’ve spent the last year exploring new ways to expand the menu and reach even more people with healthy, creative, nourishing food. I know you’ll be inspired by her vision and the passion she brings to everything she does.”

Rivera said she wasn’t a vegan or vegetarian when she first started working at Wild Alchemy in 2022, nor was she “the healthiest eater.” 

“I became more conscious of my eating after working here,” she said.

It’s easy to stick to a diet or healthy eating plan at a spot like this. Wild Alchemy’s menu centers around nutrient-rich ingredients and preparations. Smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls are the stars of the show, representing every color of the rainbow with fresh fruits and vegetables, and salads, grain bowls, and wraps deliver vibrant flavor along with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. 

Other standouts include “monkey toast” on sourdough with almond butter, banana, honey and chia seeds; jewel-toned smoothie bowls with dragonfruit, coconut milk and pineapple; and a protein-packed “recovery bowl” with mixed greens, grilled chicken, egg, chickpeas, and lemon tahini dressing. A “cheeseburger” wrap is all plant-based, with a veggie nut burger and cashew-based “cheese” sauce, and other wraps feature vegan cheese, “bacon” made with coconut and liquid smoke and a version of taco meat, made from seasoned crushed walnuts. 

Juices note their intended health benefits, like an antioxidant-filled Kale Punch with kale, cucumber, lemon, apple, pear, ginger, and celery, and the Carrot Cake, a blood sugar balancer with carrot, orange, lemon, and cinnamon. Smoothies are blended with fruits and vegetables, housemade almond milk, coconut water, and flavor enhancers like maple syrup and cacao, with boosts and add-ons like protein powder, chia seeds and spirulina. Wild Alchemy also offers tonics with plant-based supplements like chaga, maca, and astragalus. 

Even the indulgent treats are a little healthier. Wild Alchemy serves vegan and gluten-free desserts without refined sugars, instead crafting treats like a peanut butter pie and chocolate coconut “almond joy” bars with more natural ingredients like honey, agave nectar, maple syrup or dates. 

Wild Alchemy, at 600 N. Colony Road in Wallingford, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 203-265-5000, https://wildalchemycafe.com/, Wild Alchemy Café