Delicious Vegan & Vegetarian Destinations

 

Meatless Monday. Tofu Tuesday. For carnivores looking to decrease their meat intake, themed days like this might do the trick. But for vegans and vegetarians, seitan, faro, jack fruit and other healthy dishes are daily culinary staples which can sometimes be hard to find while traveling.

But take heart herbivores! Shifts in our gastronomic lifestyles have opened a veritable buffet of outrageously delicious vegan and vegetarian-leaning (and gluten-free) restaurants in cities all over the country.

At these neighborhood bistros, mom ‘n pop cafés and celebrity-grazing A-List eateries, you’ll find a melting pot of vegan and vegetarian flavors to suit your taste buds.

San Francisco

Surely you would expect the City by the Bay, which has long been on the front lines of culinary greatness, to offer a wealth of delicious meatless and plant-based options. The city’s thriving locally sourced, farm-to-table landscape plays a significant role in the creative plates that visitors can enjoy in every neighborhood in town.

Where to dig in: Greens, Veganburg, Ananda Fuara, Cha-Ya, Gracias Madre.

Philadelphia

Always a great destination for foodies, the City of Brotherly Love loves its growing vegetarian and vegan culinary scene. Dozens of farmers markets offer the freshest, quality, locally-grown produce that fuels the fire behind many of the creative dishes where healthy and meatless are the specials of the day.

Where to dig in: Vedge, Manakeesh Café, Atyia Ola’s Spirit First Foods, Sabrina’s Café, Amada

Ft. Lauderdale

Maybe it’s the Florida sunshine that is sprouting (pun intended!) a growing picnic table brimming with amazing veggie and vegan joints to satisfy travelers who want to eat healthy.

In this city where dining options mostly range from trendy steakhouses to “dock and dine” joints and sports bars, you’ll be surprised to find more than a handful of places where “clean and green” is what’s scrumptious!

Where to dig in: Hot & Soul, Gourmet Garden, Green Bar & Kitchen, Fresh First, Falafel Bistro & Wine Bar

New Orleans

In a city known for its over-the-top Creole and Cajun indulgences like Gumbo, Jambalaya, Etoufeé, Po’ Boys and fried—well, almost anything—you might be surprised to learn that increasingly more travelers are raving about the burgeoning number of vegan and vegetarian restaurants even carnivores love. Epicurean excellence is one of the hallmarks of the Big Easy, and vegans searching for their veggies are finding them!

Where to dig in: Breads on Oak, Seed, Max Well New Orleans, 1000 Figs, Good Karma

Asheville, NC

With reportedly more vegan and vegetarian-friendly eateries per capita than other U.S. cities of comparable size, Asheville is an attractive destination for foodies on the hunt for a meatless feast. Even though many of the city’s well-known chefs are recognized for their distinctive Appalachian twist on an array of meat-centric comfort food dishes, plenty of them are also sharing their talents at fresh farm-to-table restaurants where the focus is on “green” creations.

Where to dig in: Plant, Green Sage Café, Posana, Home Grown, Rosetta’s Kitchen & Buchi Bar

Kansas City

You may not know it, but even in the “Barbecue Capital of America” you can find a wealth of amazing places for vegans and vegetarians to exercise their foodie side. One of the driving forces behind the culinary landscape is the number of ethnic groups patronizing highly sought-after restaurants where traditional, meatless recipes are among the main dishes. Whether run by homegrown proprietors or newcomers, these places are drawing travelers who want to go beyond the “cue”.

Where to dig in: Eden Alley Vegetaria, Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop, Café Gratitude, Swagat Fine Indian Cuisine, Chez Elle