When I became a vegan 10+ years ago, going out to eat was always a challenge because the options were so limited. Fast forward to over 10 years later, where veganism is more common than ever and vegan products and restaurants are plentiful. Today's #Friday5 is my favorite vegan/vegetarian restaurants in the Boston area. At the very end are some bonus places because picking just 5 was hard!
Location: Central Square (Cambridge) and Brookline
Type of food: Nourishing bowls, wraps, salads, smoothies and juices.
Go-to Order: The Adventurer Bowl and Pineapple Kombucha on tap.
Location: Central Square (Cambridge)
Type of food: Traditional diner comfort food made from scratch: the twist is that it’s all vegetarian (and everything can be made vegan!) Their on-site bakery is 100% vegan.
Go-to Order: The Kendall Square Burger and Zebra Frappe (made with vanilla and chocolate vegan ice cream)
Location: Watertown
Type of food: Vegan and vegetarian soups, salads, hearty entrees and appetizers and delicious desserts. They also have a great brunch menu and a kids menu and offer many gluten-free options.
Go-to Order: Sesame Encrusted Seitan Strips (appetizer) and Sweet Potato Quesadilla paired with one of their vegan wines.
Location: Newton
Type of food: Creative and globally inspired vegetarian and vegan foods.
Go-to Order: Uptown Nachos (appetizer) and Seitan Marsala
Location: Seaport and Fenway
Type of food: Vegan fast-food that features locally-sourced ingredients.
Go-to Order: Either the Quinoa Taco Salad or the Guac Burger with Air Fries and a Healthade Kombucha.
Best tofu scramble:
The Friendly Toast- website-Back Bay and Cambridge- also has other great vegan lunch and dinner options.
My Diner- website- South Boston- traditional diner food and a vegan menu!
Best vegan ice cream:
Fomu- website -South End- ice cream made from scratch with carefully sourced, plant-based ingredients.
Ben and Jerrys- Seaport- offers one non-dariy option a day.
Best pizza:
Veggie Crust- website- Brookline and Sommerville- 100% vegetarian and offers vegan options.
Stoked- website- Brookline- traditional pizzeria that offers a vegan menu. The Impossible Burger Pizza is AH-mazing! (And so are their vegan frappes and fries!)
All Star Pizza Bar- website- Boston and Cambridge- offers vegetarian and vegan options for pizzas.
Best tacos:
Taco Party Store and Taco Party Foodtruck- website- Sommerville store location
(check website for food truck locations)- 100% plant-based and 100% delicious.