Welcome to Meatless Miami
Meatless Miami is all about spreading the gospel about how easy it is to find delicious, gourmet vegetarian cuisine in South Florida. There are loads of exceptional, progressive restaurants that cater to vegetarian and vegan palates, and MM intends to list as many of them as possible.
Our secondary purpose, is to call out the behind-the-times restaurants who've yet to realize that there are thousands of vegetarians in South Florida with good taste (and money to spend). We like eating out, we all have meat-eating friends, and we'd like to eat with them at places where we can all be satisfied. Serving a little tofu or meat substitutes wouldn't bankrupt you...
Also, please feel free to leave comments or offer suggestions - nothing's set in stone.
Stay veg and tell your friends!
Cheers,
Lolo
How To Use This Guide
Each restaurant's entry has labels, or tags, denoting the location. So, simply use the tags on your right to search by neighborhood or city.
Key
COMING SOON
Reviews of: LifeFood Gourmet, Om Garden, Green Gables Cafe, The Last Carrot, Apple A Day Natural Food Market
Recently added: Beehive Natural Foods, The Big Squeeze, Pizza Fusion, Sweat Records
Recently updated: ONENINETY, Soyka, Dogma
5750 Bird Rd. / Miami / 305.663.1300
In business since the '70s in a strip mall on Bird Road, Beehive Natural Foods could be considered the Honey Tree of the South - it's a quaint, unassuming health food store with a kick-ass lunch counter in the back. The dishes are made fresh daily, all vegetarian, mostly vegan and often macrobiotically-friendly too. They're open 10am to 7pm Monday through Saturday but word is that the lunch usually doesn't start 'til around 1pm. Over the years I've had all sorts of meatless delights there - heaping plates of beans and brown rice, seitan/tofu empanadas, tasty soups - yet the best thing about eating here is that everything they serve is just super-duper good for you. The "ambiance" of this tiny lunch spot may be a bit off-putting to people not used to crunchy veggie hangouts but they'll get over it once they visit a time or two. The counter only has a small handful of stools and there are just a few plastic tables outside so the bulk of their business seems to be take-out. I MUST now mention that one of the best items they offer is frozen banana custard, in which they put frozen bananas into this magical machine and it comes out as smooth, creamy, banana soft-serve goodness! They can even add cashews, cinnamon, acai or other fruit to it and it's freakin' delicious and hard to believe that there's no dairy or anything else involved. I'm *this* close to getting one of those machines for my apartment... Of course they also make fresh juices and smoothies, so if you're cruising on Bird and are despairing over all the fast food and steak houses, make a bee-line to Beehive, a local veggie oasis.
$$
18315 West Dixie Hwy. / North Miami / 305.935.9544
Hungry but can't decide what you want? In need of a smoothie or wheatgrass shot or pineapple-strawberry lemonade or all three to quench your thirst?? Well here's a suggestion with a selection - tucked between the train tracks and West Dixie near Aventura is a hidden gem called the Big Squeeze which boasts a massive menu of healthy goodness. A brief run-down of the sections: Breakfast (served 'til noon), Starters and Sides, Sandwiches, Hot and Cold Wraps, Melts, Platters, Salads, Specials and more. I had a huge pita sandwich with a big ol' slab of grilled tofu and my companion had a yummy falafel salad with tahini dressing. Happily, they're one of those places that realizes the importance of delicious dips and sauces in vegetarian eating and they offer several options (and for the flesh-eaters they do offer lean chicken and fish). Then there is the ginormous selection of fresh-pressed juices and whole fruit smoothies. You can sit on their nice patio or just walk up to their diner counter. I really wish this place was closer to my house, but I try to hit it up whenever I'm in the area. For those of you lucky enough to live nearby, they even deliver.$$
14815 Biscayne Blvd. / North Miami Beach / 305.405.6700 [Opening 11/08]
1013 N Federal Hwy. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.358.5353
196 N Federal Hwy. / Deerfield Beach / 954.427.5353
2378 Weston Rd. / Weston / 954.641.5353
I finally made it up to Pizza Fusion in Ft. Lauderdale after hearing raves about it from several different reliable sources. This is an up-and-coming pizza chain whose entire operation is not only tasty, but eco-friendly, health-conscious and good-lookin' too. They offer dairy and vegan cheese options, wheat and gluten-free crusts, organic ingredients, biodegradable flatware and even use hybrid Priuses for their delivery vehicles! I had the rosemary mushroom pizza with whole wheat crust and it was fresh and delicious, and not drowning in globs of cheese like many places. Their pizzas are shaped as these sort of oblong ovals and the large I ordered seemed to last forever. They also have a selection of salads that looked yummy (vegetarian with meat as an ADD-ON, as it should be!), organic teas, sodas and a beer and wine menu. Besides that the whole packing of the place was tight, cute and creative, (I was later hardly surprised to learn that one of the founders was also a graphic designer) - a counter flier I grabbed advertised their "Date Night" special which offered a deal on 2 glasses of wine or soda and a medium pizza to share. With all these plusses (and locations in 13 states already) I foresee more Pizza Fusions popping up all over in the near future... Miami next please! Of course all this green-y organic-ness does raise the price-points a bit, but it's still only marginally more expensive than a "fancy" pizza place like Andiamo, and it's organic. Pizza Fusion rocks and I hope that other restaurants start taking a hint from them, providing healthy, delicious foods, being environmentally responsible, and fully accommodating all modern dietary needs and preferences. It's the undeniable future of modern dining. [UPDATE: Just read that one is coming to North Miami Beach - hurrah!]$$
PIZZA FUSION'S WEBSITE
5505 NE 2nd Ave. / Miami / 305.758.5862 x5Okay okay, OBVIOUSLY I'm biased here here but I still gotta spread the word... Sweat Records is my independent music store, opened in March 2005, hit hard and forced to move by Hurricane Wilma, and now quite happily settled into our cute new permanent space next-door to Churchill's. When we reopened here, we added an awesome full-service coffee and tea counter that's completely organic and fair-trade whenever possible. We offer soy milk, cow milk, and rice milk, and for sweeteners we've got raw cane sugar, organic honey, agave nectar for the vegans, and "Organic Zero" which is a non-chemical alternative no-calorie sweetener. Even our cups and napkins are recycled! We carry a full line of herbal and maté teas, AND we offer Numi Organic Flowering Tea Service which is a hand-sewn rosette of tea leaves, served in a clear pot with clear teacups, that blossoms as it seeps. It's a wonderful aesthetic experience and a nice idea for a date! Definitely our specialty and best-seller is our dark, velvety espresso, which is meticulously prepared in true Italian fashion (seriously, we had to take classes on this!). In addition to the beverages, we carry EARTHCAKES Vegan Cupcakes (locally-made and OH SO DELICIOUS), Pro Bar Whole Food Meal Bars, and Primal Strips Vegan Jerky. We're open 12 to 12 every single day and have great music and free wi-fi so stop by and hang out! We've got St*rb*cks beat six different ways.$
SWEAT RECORDS' WEBSITE
3300 Grand Ave. / Miami / 305.238.7747Not a restaurant per se but still a seriously amazing resource for vegans, vegetarians, and foodies in general - basically this place is mandatory if you like to eat! For the last 20 years, Redlands-based Glaser Organic Farms has been dedicated to "growing the finest naturally grown organic produce and preparing gourmet raw foods." Since the Redlands ain't exactly around the corner for most of us, every Saturday from 10am to sunset they set up a fantastic farmers market on a vacant lot.
There's so much goodness abounding we're just going to make a list and you can salivate accordingly: AMAZING juices (honeydew, sugar cane, almond milk, mint lemonade with wildflower honey, cactus fruit!), packets of fresh spices, dried fruits and nuts, trail mixes, a huge variety of fruits and vegetables, raw nori rolls, raw fruit pies (if you've never had one of these make it a priority!), sprouted breads, hand-churned vegan ice cream with toppings, pantry items like nut butters and oils, fresh baby coconut water, and a bar of chilled ready-to-eat salads and items like pesto-pate-stuffed portobello caps and the funkiest, chunkiest, cilantro-lime guacamole you ever had.
Everything is fresh, colorful and flavorful. Their website also has an online store where you can order certain items, find out about raw cooking classes, and even arrange a tour of their facilities. For the Grove location, the increasing gentrification in that area is worrisome, but Glaser's quality and selection will easily help them stick around for another 20 years. The other downside is that it's definitely pricey, but might as well rationalize it any way you can - sometimes it's important to indulge and what better way than with natural, delicious fuel for your one and only body.
$$
115B SW 107th Ave. / Miami / 305.553.0078Meatless Miami can't be everywhere so here is a guest review from our good friend Kent Loftin who works for the wonderful organization Best Buddies International: "I went to a dope new veggie place right next to FIU that I would love to see on Meatless Miami. The name is "Vegetarian Restaurant" and all the ingredients are fresh - no canned veggies or processed foods. They have a set plate daily like Garden of Eatin' which today was yummy black beans and rice, a beet salad, a white sweet potato topped with salsa, and a garden salad. I also tried the pizza which was a delish blend of veggies on a whole wheat crust. My friends had the veggie empanadas which were good, and the pastelitos which are filled with guava and soy cheese. I tried the strawberry and pineapple cake, with tofu based icing, and they were tasty enough for me to get an extra piece to bring home with me. There are also daily soups, fruit salads, health shakes, sandwiches and other dishes that will keep the 305 vegetarians smiling, not to mention that the place is cheap. I watched them making the fruit juices and they were 100% pure, try the pineapple juice!"
They're open daily 10am to 6pm so this is a great new lunch spot for people in the Sweetwater area. Thanks again Kent!
$
959 West Ave. / South Beach / 305.534.4211This place is solid, and should be since the owners have been serving up healthy food in South Florida since 1994. Super vegan/vegetarian-friendly but also offering healthier options for omnivores. Hearty soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, and lots of tofu, veggies, juices, and smoothies (the lychee smoothie was especially awesome). Gourmet Carrot is kosher for meat so all the dairy is soy, which works out lovely for vegans. Being located on the beach, it is a bit pricier than the norm but the portions are ample, the food is fresh, and the outdoor seating is oh so nice on a breezy Miami afternoon.
$$
933 Lincoln Rd. / South Beach / 305.695.8898
Of all the sidewalk eateries on the popular, pedestrian Lincoln Rd., The Café at Books & Books is certainly one of the most progressive in their food options. The Café at Books & Books (which in it's own right is one of the best independent retail establishments in the city) provides a variety of fresh, delicious vegetarian and vegan appetizers and main courses in a category they call "New South Florida Cuisine." The black bean hummus (often offered as a complimentary starter) is thick and tasty and their soups are usually made without needlessly adding meat stock so that everyone can enjoy them. The vegan veggie burger on ciabatta is hearty and satisfying, served with avocado salsa, honeyed sweet potato, a mixed bean salad, and/or de-veganized with hefty slices of white cheddar. It makes for a colorful and nutritionally balanced plate, and it's always nice to find a place who's not dying to feed you cheap french fries. I must say that their options for meat-eaters seem above par as well, and on the kids menu, it's a much-welcomed surprise to see them offer veggie "chicken nuggets" as opposed to Tyson's mechanically-separated chicken parts. Add to this a selection of teas, coffees, desserts, beer and wine, and you've found a place where you pretty much can't go wrong.
$$
5556 NE 4th Ct. / Miami / 305.759.3117
We were a little hard on Soyka before but happily, they've changed their menu so we've changed our tune. Well-designed, business casual and in a trendy location, it's a great place for a business dinner or to take your parents. They're definitely super heavy on the animal products but they've added a nice vegetarian section with some decent options. Their veggie burger was solid (though any sort of whole wheat bread for it would've been nice) and came with sweet potato fries, they have a veggie pizza that can be made vegan via cheese removal, and a few other options including a quiche and casserole that I have yet to try... Soyka's weekend brunch is one of the few brunches in the area but it's a good one, offering eggs florentine, French toast, fruit, omelets, etc. Big thanks for the new veggie love and keep up the progress!
$$
40 Island Ave. / Miami Beach / 305.673.1717
First off, The Standard is one of (if not the) best hotels on South Beach. Their chic, cozy, 50s bungalow-meets-70s-resort vibe makes you feel warm and welcome, and their lavish spa, open bay-view pool area, and simple, well-designed rooms make you feel like a old time star(let) on holiday. Every detail here has been seen-to - the rooms' mini-bars stock chocolate soy milk and their bar uses progressive mixers like organic passion fruit juice and hibiscus tea - and the Lido restaurant is no different. Their "Small + Starters" offer a variety of veggie options, like the "Frito Misto" which consists of chickpea "fries" with quartered grilled artichoke. For the main courses, the veggie options are a bit slim, but delicious. Grilled tofu or a selection of "Greens + Grains" will fill you up just fine, preparing you for another dip in the Arctic Plunge or another go in the mud baths. The Lido is pricey for sure, you're also paying for the atmosphere.
$$$
901 South Miami Ave. Suite 104 / Brickell / 305.358.0732
17455 Biscayne Blvd. / North Miami / 305.957.1966
8888 SW 136th St. / Kendall / 305.234.2338
2418 E Sunrise Blvd. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.565.5877
1400 Glades Rd. / Boca / 561.393.3722
For a large chain restaurant on the swanky side, P.F. Chang's has got the competiton beat hands down. P.F.'s is extremely vegetarian AND vegan-friendly, and their prices are completely reasonable. They have a whole vegetarian section on the menu, with coconut curry, stir-fried spicy eggplant, ma po tofu and so much more. On the appetizer tip, their Tofu Lettuce Wraps are seriously to die for! On top of that, P.F. Chang's offers brown rice instead of white (it's twice as healthy!), organic green tea, and sick desserts like the Great Wall of Chocolate. This is a place you can go to with your parents, business associates, your vegan pals, or just about anyone who likes Chinese food. Suck on that, Cheesecake Factory.
$$
2100 N. University Dr. / Sunrise / 954.748.5660Udipi Café is a fantastic Southern Indian restaurant located in a random strip mall in Sunrise. This place is COMPLETELY vegetarian - no meat anywhere, so cool! I mean, sorry meat-eaters, but let us have this rare joy of being able to pull up to a buffet table and not have to worry about finding bacon bits or chicken chunks in something, it's really a dream come true. Udipi serves a wide array of dishes - puri (delicate little puffed breads you fill with sauces), all kinds of vegetable concoctions to eat over rice (with tofu as an option instead of paneer for vegans), spicy Indian Chinese food (!), Indian pizzas, etc. If you can't decide, they have a super reasonable lunch buffet most days of the week that's loaded with all sorts of veggie delights. It's also the only place in South Florida where you can get a 3.5 foot paper dosa... We ordered this for a friend's birthday and it's like one of those "Ri-co-laaa" horns, only edible and filled with dessert - delicious! Udipi also boasts some of the best prices around for Indian and it's pretty much guaranteed you won't leave hungry. Highly recommended!$$
2214 NE 123rd St. / Miami / 305.891.3312
3944 46th Avenue / Hollywood / 954.986.1770
This entry is a little lengthy but for good reason: Sara’s is probably the most randomly awesome veggie restaurant ever. Not the healthiest or most atmospheric per se, but where else can you get a totally veg double-bacon-cheeseburger for $4.95? Where else can you get a giant plate with 5 different middle-eastern specialties for $7.95? If there’s anywhere else but Sara’s, ya got me. The entire place is Kosher vegetarian (though many items are vegan-able) but be forewarned: when the menu says tuna, they mean real actual used-to-swim-around FISH. Their menu is a 3-ring binder and you could literally eat there every day for a year without ordering the same thing twice. Once you get used to the odd spelling (“beeeffff,” “bayken,” and so on), you’ll be astounded by the variety available. The menu is broken down into sections for Pizzas, Smoothies, Sides, Breakfast, and whatnot, but also Italian, Mexican, Chinese, etc. If you’re having one of those nights where you want lasagna but your baby wants a big falafel sandwich, this is your place. Bonus props for fresh squeezed OJ, a fro-yo machine, some of the best meat analogs I’ve had in South Florida, traditional Jewish desserts, giant portions and astoundingly low prices. Notable dishes: The Rooster (like a fried chicken sandwich), Abie Loko Fries (curly fries smothered with Mexican toppings as though they were nachos), and I find their straight-up veggie burgers to be some of the tastiest around. The downsides to this place is that they are closed every Shabbat (Friday sundown until Sunday morning) and for all the Jewish holidays (some last a week), and that the Kosher crew aren't exactly known for their customer service... They also cater and have a franchise location in Hollywood so the Broward-based can enjoy Sara’s too.
$
SARA'S WEBSITE
7230 SW 59th Ave. / South Miami / 305.665.06061401 Brickell Ave. / Miami Financial District / 305.377.8811This neighborhood café (the one in South Miami at least) is a simple, easy place to eat – sit indoors or out, order from a basic menu of favorites (there’s at least one veggie option in each section), pay and go. No tofu or anything extra progressive, but at least they’re looking out for us.$
1049 Washington Ave. / South Beach / 305.695.9222The damn finest falafel sandwich in Miami, hands down. These pita professionals deftly load 