I'm looking for some local restaurants that have a diverse menu including more than just salads for a few people who are vegan. Can edhat readers provide some recommendations?
CRAM. Vegan is not vegetarian. Vegan means nothing with a face, no shellfish, i.e., no meat. It also means no animals products: butter, eggs, cheese . . .
I found vegan green go bad tasting and unimaginative. And very expensive- one could go to any decent Mexican place and order chips salsa, rice and beans and guacamole and be eating vegan.
Mesa Verde for sure. I’ve been 100% vegan for about a year now and though I believe one can be just as healthy eating 10% animal products, I eschew all animal products.
If you’re a new vegan or checking for a friend one thing to realize is that it’s incredibly easy to find great tasting vegan meals even at regular places. For example habit burger has a 100% vegan burger and it’s delicious. Just get without the honey mustard dressing which has egg. Fries aren’t the healthiest but are vegan. ;-) also at the Habit is they’re garden salad and I add One or two veggie patties and get the balsamic dressing.
Another go to for me is Blaze pizza upper state. I get Make your own pizza with a little vegan cheese and the sauce and add lots of veggies- all inclusive it’s only 8.95!
Natural cafe has many vegan options and their healthy planet burger is delicious.
Sushi restaurants you can get edamame, miso soup, avocado rolls, vegetable tempura are all options. Salad and rice too obviously.
Breakfast you can go to Jeanine’s and get the quinoa or oatmeal bowl. Ditto for backyard bowls. And really any diner the oatmeal is made without milk- but ask- add bananas and berries-and you can get a side of country potatoes if you like.
Many of the hip coffee shops such as Lighthouse coffee, java station and handlebar have delicious avocado toast- a savory vegan option. Lighthouse is my favorite.
Eating vegan is easiest when you get basic foods- rice, beans, salads, fruits grain bowls. But eating out with friends and having options is very nice. And of course keep an eye out for Vietnamese food as there are many vegan options.
Oh! Also flavor of India has an entire vegan menu and the food and service are wonderful there.
And also- Opal is one of Santa Barbara’s best and they’ve got usually 2 great vegan options: the vegetable napoleon, sub mashed potatoes for polenta and also a grilled veggie sandwich that is delectable.
To recap:
1. Mesa Verde
2. Natural cafe
3. Flavor of India
4. Vegan options abound at Habit Burger, blaze pizza, backyard bowls, Opal Restaurant, and many coffee shops.
Enjoy!
I just wanted to add, that many restaurants are very accommodating, but you have to ask. I was mortified when my omnivore son wanted to celebrate his birthday at Bouchon. I checked the menu online and figured the sides where pretty good and I could give the meat to the kid. I mentioned my dietary preferences to the waiter (Tony, loved him) and he said they were “farm to table” so the Chef would be happy to make something special for me. It was out of this world delicious.
some non-vegan items you need to ask about in some restaurants: japanese use dashi, fish flakes in miso, thai use fish paste in sauces, mexican use chicken or beef stock in rice or beans, indian use milk or ghee, clarified butter in sauces, chinese use beef or chicken stock in sauces.
Of all places, Cajun Kitchen has a nice bowl of oatmeal that can be made with almond or soy milk. I order mine with the "everything" option which includes banana and other fruit. Good portion, healthy, vegan, delicious, and inexpensive.
All of the food (and beer) at Modern Times is vegan. And as a certified omnivore, I’ll add it's delicious and I’ve never felt like I’ve missed eating out there.
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