The Worlds Best Vegetarian Restaurants


The Worlds Best Vegetarian Restaurants

Unique food graces the plates at many vegetarian restaurants.

Just what is a vegetarian? Is it someone who just eats vegetables?

The answer is yes, and no.

According to the Vegetarian Society, a vegetarian is someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits. A vegetarian absolutely does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or by-products of slaughter. A vegetarian may choose to eat or not eat dairy products and eggs.

A vegetarian diet is often a very healthy diet because it’s packed with fruits and vegetables. (tweet this) In addition, a vegetarian diet helps reduce a person’s carbon footprint while conserving land and water. Lastly, many people report feeling better after eliminating meat from their diets.

This is why there are nearly eight million vegetarians in America, with an additional 22% of the population following a vegetarian-inclined diet.

Because of the rising popularity of vegetarian restaurants, we’re going to look at the world’s best vegetarian restaurants.

The Butcher’s Daughter in New York City

A delightful café, The Butcher’s Daughter features vegan soups and salads like zucchini noodles with cashew ricotta.

They also have a wide assortment of sandwiches such as smashed avocado toast and the butcher’s burger with a veggie black-bean burger and cashew cheddar.

They also have a delicious juice bar with multiple choices as well as a breakfast menu featuring house-made vegan pear cinnamon scones with sour berry jam.

Visit: The Butcher’s Daughter

Bodhi in Sydney, Australia

Established in 1988, Bodhi is one of the few restaurants in Sydney offering vegetarian fare. You’ll enjoy a full dim sum menu, and they specialize in Pan-Asian cuisine.

Diners delight in an exotic menu that includes unique items such as mini tofu burgers with cabbage jam, tomatoes and fresh greens. The Malaysian curry is a delight for the senses and the palate.

Additionally, much of Bodhi’s menu is gluten-free, and they source locally-grown, organic produce. They prepare their food fresh every day.

Visit: Bodhi

Vegetarian Haven in Toronto, Canada

Diners can enjoy Asian-inspired vegan food at this Toronto restaurant under a bright-leaf canopied patio.

Their menu is prepared like a work of art, and you can expect fanciful dishes such as Curry Pad Thai, salads, wraps, noodles dishes, soups and “fake” sushi.

The organic, kale, quinoa salad, the Korean ChapChae glass noodles, and the spicy eggplant tofu are local favorites.

A unique offering worth mentioning is their purple rice. Diners love their house blend of white, red, black, brown and wild rice cooked together. This blending is what renders it a light purple.

Visit: Vegetarian Haven

Mono City Bar in Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow is teaming with vegetarian options, and the Mono City Bar offers an extensive menu.

Their menu includes Mediterranean, American, Mexican and locally-influenced food, giving diners a plethora of choices.

For example, if you’re in the mood for pizza, try Lamachan, a Turkish pizza with spicy mince, roasted aubergine, onion, fresh red chilies, lime and coriander yogurt, salad and sumac.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more local, try a griddled Portobello mushroom with garlic butter, tomato, salad and mayonnaise on a burger bun. It’s also served with William-beer battered onion rings, hand cut chips and a salad.

Visit: Mono City Bar

Veggie Grill in Los Angeles, California

Their “mindful” menu features numerous vegetarian options to nourish the body and the mind.

A fun and inventive, completely vegetarian restaurant, they feature seasonal produce inside a menu that looks and tastes delicious.

Diners flock to their Mondo Nachos that feature a blend of veggie proteins, caramelized onions, mashed avocado, veggie cheese, jalapenos, soy cream and corn chips. It is delicious!

For something different, try their spring pea guacamole that features peas, avocado, jalapeno, green onion, lime and toasted sunflower seeds.

You’ll also find a selection of veggie burgers, pasta, wraps and much more.

Visit: Veggie Grill

vegetarian-restaurant

People may choose vegetarian cuisine for personal, moral and sometimes religious reasons.

Consciousness Blossoms in Palm Harbor, Florida

Committed to serving healthy and delicious vegetarian meals to feed the body and soul, this unique restaurant serves both breakfast and lunch.

You can try their Neatloaf sandwich that is made with whole grains, tofu, ricotta, eggs, onions and spices and is topped with a homemade BBQ sauce served on multi-grain bread.

This casual, vegetarian restaurant also features vegan whole wheat pancakes, veggie omelets, a vegetarian Ruben and much more in an ultra-peaceful atmosphere.

Visit: Consciousness Blossoms

Miss Saigon in Lisboa, Portugal

Another of the world’s best vegetarian restaurants, Miss Saigon uses spices and fresh, aromatic herbs to provide a flavorful journey and experience for diners.

With more than 700 main dishes from more than 70 countries as well as smoothies and organic teas and desserts, this is a creative, innovative vegetarian restaurant.

It’s daily rotating menu highlights global cuisine. Miss Saigon is dedicated to minimizing leftovers, and they are focused on choosing food that is ethically produced, organic and sustainable.

As an example, one of their recent menus featured stewed tofu with pumpkin and green papaya from Cambodia, Briouat with soy and couscous salad from Morocco and one of their own specialties, pie with three cereals.

Visit: Miss Saigon

Greens in San Francisco, California

No list would be complete with talking about Greens – they feature everything you could want in a vegetarian restaurant – class, flavor and exceptional quality.

Their produce is all grown at Green Gulch Farm in nearby Marin County, and they feature a revolving menu.

Renown as the best vegetarian restaurant in the world, it was started by Annie Sommerville in 1981 before vegetarianism was popular.

You’ll enjoy menu items like roasted hamada farm figs and burrata on grilled walnut levain with arugula and endive salad. Another day, you might like a wilted kale and Brussel sprouts salad or tomato, grilled fennel and onion pizza.

If you’re ever in San Francisco, you don’t want to miss Greens.

Visit: Greens

Final Thoughts

Vegetarians are an ever-growing part of the population. Some do it for religious reasons, while others cite a moral conviction. (tweet this) Others choose the diet to improve their life.

According to NoMeatAthlete.com, one gentleman who has been a vegetarian for about a year, says that he has never felt better.

While he’s had to make some sacrifices, he noted a few ways that being a vegetarian has improved his life:

  • It took 10 minutes off his marathon time.
  • He discovered the delicate spices and flavors in Thai and Indian food.
  • He spends less at the grocery store.
  • The environment benefits, and he’s started recycling.
  • Sickness has not been a part of his life.
  • Sleep comes easier.
  • Meals don’t make him feel bloated.

It used to be that vegetarians could choose from a few bland pasta dishes or an unappealing stir-fry with day-old veggies, but today, these limitations have all but disappeared in modern vegetarian cuisine.

If you’re ready to explore life as a vegetarian, start with one of the world’s best vegetarian restaurants mentioned here, or venture out to your local vegetarian restaurant. Give it a try a few times a week, and see if you feel better, too.

Have you ever eaten at a vegetarian restaurant? Where was it and why did you like it? What makes it special? Why did you choose to eat at this particular vegetarian restaurant?  Share your comments below – we’d love to hear them.

Images: Artur Rutkowski and Rob Bye

 

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