Meatless Miami

Copper Chimney

2011-10-26T10:45:00.001-04:00

18090 Collins Ave / Sunny Isles / 305.974.0075

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: No

Review by David Rolland of pablochiste.com

I'm a sucker for the all you can eat Indian buffet, but sometimes I get myself in trouble challenging the elasticity of my stomach. Copper Chimney an Indian restaurant in Sunny Isles provides an interesting alternative. They have a buffet on Sundays for $16.95, but on weekdays from 12-4pm they offer a lunch special for $12.95. The only problem for vegans is that the six vegetarian options all have dairy as ghee (clarified butter) is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. Fortunately the server spoke to the cooks and they are able to offer several vegan options. The dinner menu was filled with even more vegetarian entrees (many of which were priced at $12), but again if you are vegan you must specially request your food not to have dairy.

Copper Chimney's atmosphere is very fine, but unfortunately when I went there a bachelorette party took up the dining area. So we were seated outside where the servers were good natured, very attentive and glad to accommodate my picky vegan requests.

When the food came I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the serving. The portions are quite generous, but fixed so you don't eat so much that you need a wheelbarrow to take you out. I ordered the mushroom masala which was cooked in a savory tomato sauce. The lunch special also included an equal sized "side" of vegetable masala which had a tasty blend of carrots, peas, cauliflower, and broccoli. There was a fresh spinach salad with a pomegranate dressing, a pakora (which is a fried dumpling), a piece of nan (flat bread), and spiced Basmati rice. All the ingredients were quite fresh. I asked for medium spice which was actually quite mild, so fans of heat should not be afraid to request their food as spicy. But even without that extra kick the food was flavorful enough that I am excited to make a return lunch visit and hopefully there won't be a bachelorette party, so I can enjoy the restaurant's ornate decorations.

$$

copper-chimney.com

Mac'N Food Truck

2011-09-22T14:54:00.001-04:00

Follow @macnfoodtruck on Twitter for location info

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Mac'N is Miami's first fully-vegan food truck and its very existence brings joy to my heart. South Florida's veg scene has unquestionably grown to the point where it would indeed be a travesty if there wasn't a dedicated option for the thousands of Miamians who are vegan, vegetarian, or just looking to eat a great meal without meat in it a little more often.

Mac'N "Soul Good" is a vegan soul food truck (just typing those words makes me happy), but they also cater to gluten-free and soy-free diets–a rarity in the current food truck scene. Their menu rotates but they typically offer one to three variations on mac 'n' cheese, a special, some sides, and desserts. My favorite mac so far has been the Margherita Mac, made with the mozzarella version of Daiya vegan cheese, roasted tomatoes and basil.

Regular mac + Margherita mac, $7 each

I got to experience my first taste of jackfruit recently thanks to Mac'N. I ordered their BBQ Pulled "Pork" Jackfruit Sandwich which came on a hearty wheat bun with a red cabbage and green apple coleslaw. The jackfruit's texture really is incredible, just slightly less chewy than actual pork, but with the same BBQ-flavored sloppy goodness. My omnivorous dining companions even said "Damn that's good!"

They have a gluten-free fryer for the sides, mostly Southern specialties like fried green tomatoes, sweet potato wedges and fried pickles. Desserts have included banana cream pie cupcakes, peach cobbler cupcakes and more, with at least one of the options being gluten-free to boot.

The night we ate everything, left to right: Margherita Mac, sweet potato fries, fried green tomatoes

with vegan remoulade, regular mac, watermelon chunks with basil and sea salt

Everything I've tried from them thus far has been delicious and I have happily (and rightfully) seen them with long lines at the truck round-ups. Hopefully Mac'N are setting a trend and we'll see more veg-centric food trucks popping up in the future.

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macnfoodtruck.com

El Vato Taco & Tequila Bar

2011-09-22T10:49:00.001-04:00

1010 South Miami Avenue / Brickell / 305.523.6449

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

El Vato Tequila and Taco Bar is an oasis of casual, veg-friendly Mexican food in the bustling Mary Brickell Village area. The interior is modern LA/Mexi style with skulls, glitter, graffiti, low-riders and loud music.

The menu consists of the basics (enchiladas, burritos, and so on) but they explicitly state that anything on the menu can be made vegetarian or vegan because they actually stock veggie crumble AND Daiya cheese! I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a gooey, melty quesadilla so I ordered one and the Daiya definitely did the trick. It was fabulous and my non-vegan cohorts agreed.

Their guacamole is fresh and all the food is very reasonably priced, but I do wish their drinks were a touch cheaper–or stronger. I'm a lightweight when it comes to tequila and two $13 margaritas didn't do it for me (I'll have to look into their happy hours...). For just eats though, El Vato is a great option.

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elvatobar.com

twitter.com/ElVatoBar

Chow Down Grill

2011-09-22T10:23:00.004-04:00

9517 Harding Ave / Surfside / 305.397.8494
Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Chow Down Grill serves up simple, fresh, Asian-inspired food and has a wealth of veggie options. I was compelled to check it out (don't get to Surfside too often) when I heard they make their own tofu in-house! On a quiet Sunday evening I stopped by and was delighted with everything I tried.

To start I had the Chow Down Chop Salad, a surprisingly harmonious mixture of everything from Napa cabbage to grapes, radish, corn, mango and beyond. I sampled a cold sesame noodle dish which was right up my alley and moved on to the dumplings. Hard to tell in this pic (I have since replaced my lousy old camera), but the dumplings are a bright, deep red, naturally colored so with beets. They were delicious and went great with the selection of five different house made sauces. Sauces are SO important, it kinda blows my my mind when restaurants don't get that but CDG definitely does.

I wanted to try everything so next up was the Chow Fun. The noodles were fabulous and as they should be - giant, thick, and smooshy.

After that I needed a bigger dose of the tofu. I ordered it as an entree with the sweet and sour sauce, walnuts, grilled mango and peppers. As a tofu aficionado, this rates high. The outside was lightly crisp and the inside had an almost creamy taste whilst still being savory.

Chow Down have just opened a new location on South Beach that's open late. MM hopes to check it out soon as we always need more great, locally-owned, veg-conscious restaurants in our city.

$$
chowdowngrill.com
twitter.com/chowdowngrill

Vegetarian Restaurant By Hakin

2011-07-12T18:29:00.004-04:00

73 NE 167 Street / North Miami / 305.405.6346
Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Review by David Rolland of pablochiste.com

It's funny how vegan is still considered a bad word. I've been ensured by Hakin (the owner of Vegetarian Restaurant By Hakin) that every item at his restaurant is fully vegan, but like many establishemnts in South Florida it seems that using the five letter v word in his restaurant's title could scare off more prospective customers than it would bring in. Fortunately on a Thursday afternoon the restaurant had a nice crowd.

The erasable markerboard shows what's available on the ever-changing menu and behind the display case you can see what the day's dinner plate looks like as well as other items on the menu like the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, the fruit pancakes or the veggie wrap. Don't let the exhibition fool you, the food is made to order and you will wait a bit for your food, but the servers are friendly and willing to talk the faults of the Miami Heat with you as you wait.

I was told Tuesday's barbecue rib plate is the dinner to get. But I still enjoyed Thursday's offering. For $8.95 I got some delicious faux meatballs, a slightly too salty fake beef stew, great lentils with a complimentary vegetable rice, and a fresh green salad with a homemade mango vinaigrette sauce.

For dessert I tried the tiramisu for $5.95. This was extremely rich, but left me a little unsatisfied as my previous foray in their $3.95 coconut cake had. The only flavor in each cake was excessive sweetness. They were pleasant enough, but I don't feel the need to order either item again on what I hope to be countless returns to this fine vegan restaurant.

$
ingaambrosia.com/hakin

Apple A Day

2011-07-06T13:06:00.005-04:00

1534 Alton Road / Miami Beach / 305.538.4569
Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Review by David Rolland of pablochiste.com

This is not a place to bring a hot date. Apple A Day is after all a cluttered health food store in a strip mall with very few seats that are not stools, but for a working person looking for a great vegan meal it is hard to beat Apple A Day's $7.50 soup and sandwich deal. The soup which is always vegan and changes daily usually contains an eclectic mix of quinoa, lentils, and various vegetables. This past time I went I was treated to a slightly spicy curry vegetable soup.

The sandwiches (which are actually wraps) are filled to the brim and heavy enough that many people take half of it to go. I enjoyed a barbecue seitan sandwich whose chewy presence shared room in the wrap with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and hummus. Other vegan sandwiches include barbecue tofu, curry tofu, falafel, and veggie burgers. There's an eclectic mix of condiments on the counter to flavor your sandwiches including giant bottles of Annie's salad dressings.

Even though I'm a slave to routine and always hit the soup and sandwich deal. Apple A Day does offer other vegan options including various salads, a full juice bar, and other deli items such as spiced chickpeas and vegetable dumplings. If you have a sweet tooth though, you'll have to search the aisles and check the ingredients to see which cookies are vegan.

$
appleadaymiami.com

Oneburger

2011-05-09T22:06:00.012-04:00

367 Alhambra Circle / Coral Gables / 305.529.5555

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Oneburger is another restaurant I finally tried after years of hearing about it again felt sorry I hadn't checked it out sooner. Indeed, unabashed meatiness abounds here but the overall feel and design of the place is sleek and simple, the prices are reasonable, and they have a well-thought-out set of veggie options. Oh, and YUCA FRIES!

Organic Veggie burger ($6.45), with avocado ($1.75), and yuca fries ($2.75)

Their main veg option is the "House Made 12 Ingredient Veggie Burger" which is vegan and can be prepared with several different topping styles. I opted for the Organic Veggie which came with tomato, baby greens and a balsamic sauce on a whole wheat bun. I added avocado and the result was perfection The burger itself was a nice change of pace from the Boca-style or mushy ones I've unfortunately come across lately–the 12 ingredients worked together and I could clearly distinguish chunks of black bean, corn, chickpea, sun-dried tomato, etc. Of course I got yuca fries on the side, oh-so-crispy on the outside and mashed-potato-smooth inside, and my companion's onion rings were lightly battered and perfectly textured.

My only slight criticisms are their lack of a vegan dessert, the almost $2 up-charge for avocado, and the fact that there seems to be cheese on nearly everything. Still, as a dedicated veggie burger aficionado, Oneburger gets my highest marks.

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oneburger.com

Indomania

2011-05-09T00:45:00.011-04:00

131 26th St. / Miami Beach / 305.535.6332

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Indomania is a cozy, intimate spot tucked off Collins and 23rd on South Beach. They serve up unique, tasty, extremely veg-friendly Dutch-Indonesian cuisine and I'm almost ticked off I didn't know about it sooner. That said, I am excited to share it here for others that have not yet had the pleasure.

I came with a large party for my best friend's birthday. Most in attendance were veg so several of us got together and ordered the family-style vegetarian Rijsttafel. It's basically a portion of every vegetarian/vegan item on the menu, over 12 in total. The items were almost all vegan, with only two of the dishes containing eggs (and the gado gado could've easily been sans ova).

Holy Vegetarian Rijsttafel! $24 per person for this and MUCH more

The food was fan-tastic. I'm generally not a huge tempeh fan but their skewered chunks were perfectly textured. The sauces, mostly curry- or coconut-based, were well-seasoned without being overpowering so that the taste of the vegetables still shone through. The eggplant was tender and not slimy, and even the simple yellow rice seasoned with lemongrass had us all going back for further scoops.

If you're dining in smaller numbers they offer a sampler plate for one and another veg entree or two. The desserts looked good but I can't vouch for their vegan-ness as by then we were all too happily full to contemplate them. The meal was pricey but well worth it for the atmosphere, the quality, and the incredibly attentive service. For a special occasion or a hot veggie date Indomania should be at the top of your list.

$$$
indomaniarestaurant.com

Mi Vida Cafe

2011-05-06T16:37:00.015-04:00

7244 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.759.6020

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

I am a happy girl, because a wonderful new vegan restaurant has opened not a mile from my house. Mi Vida Cafe is located on 72nd and Biscayne, in the small space next-door to thrift store Divine Trash. You may sit inside and watch your meals being prepared as we did, or there are some tables out front. In a few weeks they're planning to open up even more seating in the lush garden out back.

MVC has a set menu and a board of daily specials. The menu has an extensive list of fresh juices and smoothies, several starters, and six main entrees. The day I went the specials were: Raw Spaguetti al Pesto, Spicy Kale Chips, Raw Carrot Cake with Coconut Icing, and the soup of the day was Raw Celery & Sunflower Seed.

Raw Spaguetti al Pesto, $9

To start we opted for the Spaguetti, which was whole, raw zucchini extruded into angel hair-esque strands in front of our eyes and mixed with a fresh, dairy-free pesto. As we sat and ate and made yummy noises, Chef Daniela brought out some of her handmade seitan and began seasoning it with chimichurri sauce and pan-searing it. I can unequivocally say it was the best seitan I've ever had in my entire life.

Sizzling Seitan al Chimichurri, $7.50

For our entree, we ordered the Canelones De Verdura, which are sort of savory pancakes wrapped around a delicious mixture of garlic, olive oil, tender baby spinach, ground cashews and more, topped with a tomato basil sauce. They were created in front of our eyes (in pancakes made from scratch by Daniela the night before) and tasted HEAVENLY.

Canelones De Verdura, $14

We barely had room for dessert but managed to split a sumptuously moist vegan peanut butter cookie. As my omnivorous dining companion said afterward, "I was expecting a nice meal, but I wasn't expecting to be wowed like that." Wow, indeed.

MVC boasts that their kitchen has "no microwave, no frying, no preservatives, no GMO food, no hydrogenated oils, and no high fructose corn syrup." They also are buying produce from local distributors and you can truly taste the freshness. I legitimately want to try every single thing on the menu. Also worth mentioning is that they open at 8am (!) on weekdays and you are welcome to call in your order for a morning juice or take-out for a work lunch. Their prices (especially on the entrees) could stand to be $1 or 2 cheaper but that is my only gripe. Mi Vida Cafe is a welcome addition to the neighborhood, and even if you don't reside nearby all those into forward-thinking vegan dining should take a ride or a drive and go support this great new restaurant.

$$
midvidacafe.net

P.S. Check out their Twitter feed for drool-worthy pics and the daily specials.

EVOS

2011-03-23T07:45:00.008-04:00

9537 S Dixie Hwy / Pincecrest / 305.740.3433

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

EVOS is on a mission to be an all-American, healthy fast food joint, and they seem to be on the right track. There are vegetarian and vegan burger options clearly marked on the menu, which I give them huge props for. That said, the burger itself was just a decent, fast-food burger–a satisfying meal but pretty on par with the Boca burger I can make at home.

Neo fast food

As an unabashed french fry connoisseur, their Airbaked™ fries were really just... crispy potatoes. The concept is great, but I feel the execution and/or seasoning needs some tweaking as some of them definitely were over-Airbaked (yet I'd still take them over Shake Shack's desperately overrated, dry, bowling-alley-snack-bar-fries). I loved the ketchup station though, which offered cayenne, garlic and mesquite varieties along with the standard. I hear their veggie chili is excellent, so next time I plan on trying that and dunking my fries in it.

Also, since they are offering shakes and smoothies with organic dairy, they reeeally need to get on board and offer soy and/or almond milk. I am constantly hearing from veg folk and omnivores alike who are either nixing dairy completely or cutting way down. If I could get a vegan shake with my vegan burger I'd be driving to South Miami on the regular. Their website is right though, millions of people are starving for a healthier fast food fix, and I'm glad someone is giving it to them.

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evos.com

Sunlight Miami

2011-03-23T06:55:00.010-04:00

1211 Lincoln Road / Miami Beach / 305.763.8003

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

[Full disclosure: this restaurant invited me in for a complimentary meal. I will remain completely objective as always.]

Sunlight Miami is tucked into the northwest corner of the intersection of Lincoln and Alton, just behind the Vespa store. They serve up colorful plates of healthy ingredients and it would actually be a challenge to order something unhealthy from their menu. To start they have a massive menu of fresh juices, which can also be made into smoothies via the addition of almond milk (though I do wish they offered a vegan protein option instead of just whey). You order the main course by marking off a checklist of ingredients you'd like in your "salad". The quotes are because it's not so much a mixed salad you get, but a palette of ingredients that you can combine (or not) to your liking. While we waited they brought out some whole wheat flatbread triangles with a really delicious green olive tapenade.

The main courses arrived - for my plate I chose arugula, avocado, beets, broccoli, corn, edamame, hearts of palm, mango, and spinach (no tofu? Denied!). The items were mostly hits but a few misses. The avocado portion was half an entire Haas, but the mango was three slim slices.

On my companion's plate, the quinoa was a big hearty scoop, the pumpkin was the perfect texture, but the potatoes were simply parboiled red potatoes which weren't that appetizing. We both now definitely know what to order and what not to order next time.

For dessert we had the açai bowl, which is a smooth açai sorbet served with sliced bananas and granola, and we handily put it away. Now here's the rub - I'd need a second job (or a million ads on my blog) to eat here as much as I'd like to. A "petite" 8-item salad will set you back $13.50, the "grand" with 12 items is $18.50. Also, it once again irks me that three large broccoli florets "count" the same as a portion of smoked salmon, ingredient-wise. It makes me feel penalized for ordering vegan. If the above salad was $8-10 (with meats as up-charged add-ons), I could justify it to my wallet.

The service was great though, they have a comprehensive online ordering system, and it is of course good that there are more healthy restaurants opening...but a place with these kind of price points could only exist on South Beach. Model types and spendy people will adore this Sunlight, but it's a little less great if you are on a budget, want to feel really full, or require a vegan protein source.

$$
sunlight-miami.com

8oz Burger Bar

2011-02-10T11:44:00.004-05:00

1080 Alton Road / Miami Beach / 305.397.8246

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes-ish
Vegan-friendly: Bleh

Perhaps the worst veggie burger I've ever been served: gray, mushy, under-cooked, wilted toppings, cheap bun. I understand it's mostly a meat-burger place but if you're going to serve a veggie burger why not try to make it really good? Even the french fries were the skimpiest portion I've seen anywhere. Avoid.

$
8ozburgerbarmiami.com

Wok Town

2011-02-10T09:47:00.008-05:00

119 SE 1st Ave. / Miami / 305.371.9993

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

(Guest review by Sara Yousuf of Emerge Miami. Thanks Sara!)

Perhaps they should rename this place Rok Town because this place rocks. Loads of tasty vegan options, open til 10pm even on Sundays (a rarity for Downtown), quick delivery, and great customer service. Seriously, Wok Town has it going on. Almost everything can be ordered with vegetables and tofu. There are at least 11 vegetarian meal options which can be made vegan by holding the egg. The portions are generous, the prices are beyond reasonable and your taste buds will be dancing. Imagine a Miss Yip or PF Chang's, but cheaper and healthier.

Moar noodles!!!

I have yet to meet a person who does not love the Singapore Style Curry Noodles. They are just the right amount of salty and spicy. Don't miss the Coconut Curry, which is not only smooth and delicious, but also boasts a low oil content! Finally, I have to give some big ups to the staff at Wok Town. I sincerely believe that all of their employees have to pass an intelligence test before working there. I have ordered from them at least 20 times, and they have yet to mess up an order. Sometimes I try to throw them off their game, by making ridiculous requests (like hold the sesame seeds). But I am no match for these food-service ninjas. The food is delivered with unparalleled speed and accuracy.

$
woktown.com

American Noodle Bar

2011-02-08T15:47:00.002-05:00

[CLOSED] 6730 Biscayne Blvd / Miami / 305.396.3269

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

More sadness. ANB has closed. It was related to business and not their food, which was delicious. You can now find their head chef cookin' it up at Sushi Samba on Lincoln Road. I'll have to get down there and check it out sometime. Still, RIP ANB!

Sometimes the best thing in the whole world is a big, steaming bowl of noodles. That said it is incredibly fortunate for Miamians that the American Noodle Bar has opened on Biscayne and 67th. I've visited here three times in three weeks and each trip has been better than the last. The menu follows the typical structure of selecting a sauce and then add-ons to go with your noodles, and there are several "street food" items available, though mostly meaty fare which is fine because the noodle bowls are where it's at. Vegans: ask for the vegan noodle option, which will be either rice or buckwheat as their go-to lo mein contains eggs. For sauces there is veggie broth, basil or Sriracha butter (non-vegan), and the brown sugar soy which is absolutely heavenly. In the add-ons department they offer a range of veggies, and the firm chunks of BBQ tofu have a subtle smoky taste (refreshing to see actual effort put into making tofu tasty whereas a lot of places just dice it and toss it in). ANB has an extensive beer and wine menu, and they have rotating non-alcoholic beverages like yuzu (a Japanese citrus) limeade which was a rare treat.

Noodles!

The spot is also sleekly designed, with a huge graphic of Bruce Lee watching over the kitchen and retro martial arts movies playing on the wall. The staff is friendly, parking is easy and they're open until 11pm weeknights and 1am on weekends (so smart). My only mini-gripe with ANB is that it'd be nice if the veggie add-ons were at a lower price point than the meaty stuff–it just doesn't seem right to pay the same amount for roasted duck or shrimp as you would for a handful of snow peas. Random bonus though: this place makes to-die-for french fries that are served with kimchee ketchup. I'll be coming here instead of Dogma the next time I need a french fry fix.

$
americannoodlebar.com

Sushi Maki

2011-02-08T15:06:00.007-05:00

Multiple locations around South Florida

Vegetarian-friendly: Barely
Vegan-friendly: Barely

After driving up and being incredibly saddened to find that my old high school sushi haunt Cafe Tokyo was closed for good, my lunch companion and I decided to go for the next nearest sushi spot which turned out to be Sushi Maki in Kendall. The decor was fantastic, a modern take on a traditional Japanese sushi bar–everything from the chopstick wrappers to the teapots right down to the restrooms were thoughtfully designed. Sadly, the menu was not so thoughtful. Literally the only vegetarian items on the menu were edamame, miso soup, a side salad, wakame, and a decent-but-nothing-special veggie roll. I checked the dinner menu and it was just as limited, not even offering avocado as a by-the-piece sushi option as most places do. Now, I indeed realize that sushi restaurants center on fish, but for a chain that is so progressive in other areas, they had fewer vegetarian options than most other comparable spots. It's also odd because their sushi stations at local Whole Foods are far more veggie-friendly...

Here, eat some seaweed. (cue sad trombone...)

For instance, their new advertised line of ramen noodle bowls could easily have had a veggie/tofu option, but alas they were all meat or seafood. One nifty thing though is that their printed napkins encourage the patrons to compose haiku. Here's what I left them with:

A Vegan's Dream, by Lolo

Cute place but short on
Vegetarian options
More tofu please

$
sushimaki.com

Gigi

2011-02-05T15:42:00.007-05:00

3470 N Miami Ave / Midtown

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

Gigi falls into my category of restaurants that have only a small handful of meatless options, but the dishes they do offer up are so appealing I’ll go there again and again. At Gigi the shiitake buns and the Homestead avocado and tomato salad with citrus wedges, salty hearts of palm and crunchy rice are tasty, creative plates that work every time.

Fresh as all get-out...

There are a handful of other menu items that are vegan or workable. The portions are smaller-yet-higher-quality, something I’m happy to see more of in our modern food climate. They’ve also been accommodating (they said it was no problem to omit the bacon from their Brussels sprouts) and the service is great–even though it was a packed house we were seated and eating in under ten minutes. Did I mentioned they’re open until 3am weekdays and 5am Friday and Saturday?? Adding a few more vegan options (and a dessert, pretty please) would put Gigi in my top five for the whole city.

$$
giginow.com

Bernie's L.A. Cafe

2010-12-17T10:48:00.004-05:00

1570 Alton Rd. / Miami Beach / 305.535.8003

Bernie's L.A. Cafe is: delicious, cheap, casual, healthful, and started by the chef behind the Cafe at Books & Books on Lincoln, one of the (unfortunately) few restaurants in town with an actual Vegan SECTION on their menu. There are many vegetarian and vegan options offered and clearly marked - I tried the organic grilled tofu fajita wrap and it was fantastic, in a whole wheat tortilla and stuffed with guacamole, roasted red peppers and caramelized onion.

The fried yuca is perfect and they're happy to give you a different sauce as opposed to the aioli it comes with. I also appreciate any place that gives you hot sauce options. I really hope this place does well and becomes a franchise - Moe's and Lime are getting there but Bernie's does veg-friendly Latin food totally right-on.

$
bernieslacafe.com

Lemoni Cafe

2010-03-18T18:45:00.004-04:00

4600 NE 2nd Ave. / Miami / 305.571.5080

Lemoni Cafe is a neighborhood soup/salad/sandwich place with reasonable prices. There are several vegetarian options... not too many vegan items but they are always nice/flexible about veganizing something off the menu (except the desserts which are all not vegan). They offer soy milk as an option for their smoothies and usually deliver until around 4pm.
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MAOZ Vegetarian

2010-03-15T15:04:00.006-04:00

Boca Town Center Mall / Boca Raton / 561.393.6269

(Guest review info by renowned artist/curator and vegan Francesco LoCastro!)
Maoz Vegetarian is a welcome addition to the notoriously un-veg-friendly land of shopping mall food courts. It is completely vegetarian with many vegan options. Their specialty is the falafel sandwich but they also offer build-your-own salads, Belgian fries, vegan rice putting, fresh juices and brewed teas and much more.

The food was fresh and delicious and the only unappetizing part of dining there is the unavoidable meat smell wafting in from the other food court vendors... Maoz is open during mall hours, 10am to 9pm seven days a week. Boca Town Center is owned by SIMON, one of the largest mall proprietors in the nation so hopefully we'll see more Maoz's at more malls soon! (Btw their website is ridiculously cute with veggie ingredients bouncing around playing pinball and asteroid.)
$

Om Garden

2010-02-22T13:41:00.006-05:00

379 SW 15th Rd. / Miami / 305.856.4433

[We've heard that Om Garden recently closed their doors. We've heard that they might be moving to a South Beach location... Either way, we'll let you know when we find out!]

(Originally posted on the Miami New Times' Short Order food blog.)

After hearing about Om Garden for ages and tragically stopping by when they used to be closed Sundays, I finally arrived to see a packed house of diners already turned on to this hidden yet veg-friendly gem. Om Garden is fully vegan, a very welcome change of pace when you are used to asking waiters to pretty please make sure there is no [insert animal byproduct] in what you plan on ordering. They offer a wide variety in their impressive menu of appetizers, salads, soups, nori rolls, pizza, desserts, smoothies, and juices. A good portion the menu is also entirely raw. I started off with the "Blessed Broccoli & Cheddar" which was an incredibly flavorful chilled salad appetizer with fresh florets covered in a pine nut and sunflower seed sauce that would've made any lactose-intolerant swoon with glee. I would seriously be happy taking a tub of that into a theater instead of the yellow #5-colored, oil-laden, bucket o' heart attack that's available.

Rainbow Roll!

I couldn't stay so I ordered their Rainbow Roll and Happy Cow veggie burger to go. The Rainbow Roll came highly recommended by the staff and patrons I talked to and wow, for good reason. A rice-less roll, it featured perfectly portioned avocado, mango, beet, carrot, fig (surprisingly good) and a creamy, white coconut/cashew sauce that made everything pop, all wrapped in greens and nori, and drizzled with balsamic syrup. A friend who tried a piece summed it up well when they said, "It tastes like summer." The Happy Cow burger was nice, but paled a bit next to the roll. It was tasty (especially with the Om House Honey Mustard poured over it) but next time around I'd order it with the bread toasted to give it a bit more structure. It came with guilt-free baked sweet potatoes on the side.

Owner Dionette was super friendly and happily told me all about her establishment. She opened Om Garden in July of '08 and has gotten a great response, so much so that yes, they are now open seven days a week. Their full menu is available online and they do catering as well. As more and more people turn on to healthier (yet still delectable) eating, business for places like Om Garden are truly only going to grow. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
$$

Lifefood Gourmet

2009-06-24T01:11:00.005-04:00

1248 SW 22nd St. (Coral Way) / Miami / 305.856.6767

Lifefood Gourmet, which moved a while ago to an airy new location on Coral Way, promises to be a mecca for healthy eaters, vegans and raw-foodists alike. Advertised as "the most sustainable cuisine on the planet," Lifefood makes guilt-free dining easy with no dairy, wheat/gluten, soy, corn, chemicals, "strange proteins" or anything artificial -- everything on the menu is truly fresh, raw, wholesome, and thankfully, legitimately delicious.

The burrito with side salad. *NOMS*

My companion and I arrived hungry and got to work on the appetizer sampler. The cucumber rolls were filled with a sumptuous nut pate that could put any cream-based filling to shame, and the Mexican nachos were smothered with a hearty amount of guacamole and pumpkin "meat" (though it could have included a few more chips as we grabbed forks to scoop up the remainder of the topping). The nori crisps were better than the best blue corn tortilla chips. The world-traveler dining next to us couldn't help but comment that he bought some to take with him on his next trip to Costa Rica, but only made it down the block before he devoured the entire bag.

For the main course we split their burger and the NYC "cheese" pizza. The burger was served on sprouted quinoa bread which was great as some raw places try to use flax crackers and it ends up feeling like a giant hors d'oeuvres. It came with a side salad of house greens covered in a refreshing dill dressing that they should consider bottling for mass consumption. The pizza had a thick sun-dried crust, flavorful fresh tomatoes and toppings, and the perfect sprinkling of dried oregano to give it that real NYC feel.

Some people incorrectly suspect that eating such ridiculously nature-y food will leave them wanting but by the time we dropped our forks (and still had leftovers), we were far too full for dessert. Head chef John Schott certainly knows what he is doing as far as coming up with innovative raw recipes that are not only uniquely tasty but satisfying as well.

As one might surmise, the only downside to a place like Lifefood Gourmet is that the food is a bit pricey. A "Goji Magic" shake with hemp milk, goji, hemp, maca, tocos, vanilla and honey runs $11, but the pizza was a steal at $13. Clearly though, if you bought all those fresh, organic ingredients at Whole Foods, the bill plus the time to prepare everything makes it more than a bargain for what you get. Lifefood also uses biodegradable/recycled tableware amongst other eco-friendly practices so you can feel good supporting such a progressive and necessary local business. Highly recommended.
$$

Beehive Natural Foods

2008-10-06T02:03:00.004-04:00

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.
$$

Big Squeeze

2008-10-06T01:29:00.003-04:00

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.
$$

Pizza Fusion

2008-10-06T01:11:00.011-04:00

[OPEN] 1115 5th St. / Miami Beach / 305.672.7778
[CLOSED] 14815 Biscayne Blvd. / North Miami Beach
1013 N Federal Hwy. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.358.53531
2378 Weston Rd. / Weston / 954.641.5353

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Yes

I finally made it over to Pizza Fusion 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 an actual vegan cheese option, whole wheat and gluten-free crusts, organic ingredients, biodegradable flatware and even use hybrid Priuses and Smarte cars for their delivery vehicles. I tried the "Very Vegan" mushroom and roasted garlic 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, Boylan's sodas and a beer and wine menu.

The endless "Farmer's Market" with vegan cheese instead of dairy

Besides that the whole packing of the place was tight, cute and creative, (it did not surprise me to learn later 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 two glasses of wine or soda and a medium pizza to share. With all these plusses (and locations in 8 states already) I foresee more Pizza Fusions popping up all over in the near future. Naturally all this green-y organic-ness does raise the price points a bit, but it's still within the range of 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.

$$
pizzafusion.com

Sweat Records

2008-02-07T14:07:00.003-05:00

5505 NE 2nd Ave. / Miami / 305.758.5862 x5

Okay 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 fully vegan and organic and fair-trade whenever possible. We offer regular and vanilla soy and almond milk, and for sweeteners we've got raw cane sugar, agave nectar, and "Organic Zero" which is a non-chemical alternative no-calorie sweetener. Even our cups and napkins are recycled and we compost them afterward! 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), Alternative Baking Co. vegan cookies, Mama T's empanadas, and Primal Strips Vegan Jerky. We're open 12 to 10pm every day but Sunday 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

ONENINETY

2008-02-07T13:11:00.002-05:00

[UPDATE: Unfortunately, ONENINETY is shuttered for the whole summer and maybe longer. Their catering service is still up and running though.]
26 NE 54th St. / Miami / 305.758.7058

Although I never made it to their previous location (now the Amendment XXI bar), I always heard wonderful things about ONENINETY. Their new location, just shy of N Miami Ave. on 54th St., opened recently and I've since been back several times! Veggies and meat-eaters alike will find exciting culinary experiences ahead of them... The walnut-ricotta angolotti I had came in a sage butter sauce that could've been oily but was smooth and balanced. Chef Alan Hughes is a pro - creative and accommodating. One night they were out of the main vegetarian option and so he simply served me the grilled vegetable plate of my dreams - loads of fresh veggies, infused with rosemary, charred to perfection. Even the scallops in coconut milk with curried eggplant and granny smith apples my companion had looked amazing (he assured me it was top-notch though sadly, scallops don't grow on trees). The atmosphere is funky-chic and cozy and they've got reasonably priced wine and beers. The kitchen is open Wednesday through Sunday 6pm to midnight, and drinks and tapas are on 'til 3am when live local music is brought into the mix!
$$$
ONENINETY'S WEBSITE

Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market

2007-08-14T18:46:00.000-04:00

3300 Grand Ave. / Miami / 305.238.7747

Not 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.
$$

Jugos Naturales - Vegetarian Restaurant

2007-08-14T18:03:00.001-04:00

115B SW 107th Ave. / Miami / 305.553.0078

Meatless 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!
$

Sheba

2007-08-14T17:15:00.002-04:00

[UPDATE: Sheba is currently closed but fear not, they are relocating to Hollywood - not shutting down for good. I'll keep you posted...]
4029 N Miami Ave. / Miami / 305.573.1819

Sheba is one of the only Ethiopian restaurants in Miami but thankfully it's top-notch and completely veggie-friendly. Beautifully decorated with a gift shop no less, and options so you can go the customary route and eat with your hands around a traditional mesob (straw tabletop), or you can grab a fork and dine at a table. The vegetarian options are pretty much all vegan (we specifically asked and they use vegetable oil in their cooking) and rightfully priced significantly lower than their meat dishes. We recommend the gomen wat which does collard greens right, and the Ethiopian Tej Honey Wine which is sumptuously sweet but expensive by the glass so splurge for the whole bottle! Sheba also features live music some weekend nights, and there are a few enticing-looking veg items on the lunch menu we haven't tried yet but if dinner is any indication of quality we'll make the effort!
$$
SHEBA'S WEBSITE

Siam Rice

2007-08-14T16:02:00.001-04:00

7941 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.758.0516

[Formerly Spyro, this place is now called Siam Rice although the menu is mostly the same.] Amidst the now-ridiculous construction around this area of Biscayne Boulevard is a neighborhood secret. Spyro may not look like much from the outside (especially with the cranes), but on the inside it's cute and comfortable and they've been serving up right-on Thai and sushi for at least 5 years. The menu has lots of veggie selections in all categories, and vegetables or tofu are available as a "meat option" on nearly every one. The noodle dishes - Lad-Nah with big flat noodles, broccoli and soy gravy, or the Pad Woon Sen (clear "cellophane" noodles) - are especially fantastic. Spyro even advertises that they will happily accommodate vegetarians and vegans so if you want your tofu Pad Thai sans egg they will hook you UP. Other perks include bad-ass Thai tea and coffee, Asian alcoholic beverages, and delivery to the surrounding areas. The prices are reasonable, the staff is very friendly and most nights there's a live pianist tickling the ivories - stop by and drop a buck or two in his brandy snifter for good karma.
$$

The Lost and Found Saloon

2007-05-27T18:26:00.001-04:00

185 NW 36th St. / Miami / 305.576.1008

Wahoooo for funky new neighborhood spots with progressive menus! Lost and Found is fairly new but has already attracted a hip local clientele. This "Southwestern/Western" eatery has themed decor and some fresh food options. There are lots of omelet and burrito variations, vegetarian chili and black bean soup, "Pinon and Pepita Crusted Tofu," and their "Signature Salad" has pretty much everything yummy in it - tofu, avocado, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes - over mixed greens instead of blah iceberg. The owner was super friendly and let us know that more vegetarian options, including black bean burgers and tofu melts, are on their way with the next menu update. Saddle up and check it out. Or if your horse is tired, they deliver too. (P.S. Their cookies are fresh and warm and gooey and are AWESOME. As a cookie aficionado I will certainly be back for this reason alone. -Lo)
$$
LOST AND FOUND'S WEBSITE

The Gourmet Carrot

2007-05-27T17:04:00.000-04:00

959 West Ave. / South Beach / 305.534.4211

This 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.
$$

The Café at Books & Books

2007-02-28T12:35:00.002-05:00

933 Lincoln Rd. / South Beach / 305.695.8898

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 vegan appetizers and main courses in a category they call New South Florida Cuisine. Of all the sidewalk eateries on the popular, pedestrian Lincoln Rd., The Café at Books & Books is by far the most vegan-friendly, even having an entire "Vegan" section on the menu as well as rotating options in their daily specials. 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 Platter comes with grilled tofu triangles, a mixed bean salad, sweet potato and a bed of greens with a Dijon vinaigrette. 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. The new Tofu Fajita Wrap with caramelized onions and veggies is fantastic, and make sure to ask for their hot sauce caddy with four options ranging from tingly to 5-alarm. 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.
$$

Moe's Southwest Grill

2006-12-23T19:08:00.000-05:00

229 SW 8th St. Ste. 111 / Miami / 305.854.4797
10660 NW 19th St. / Miami / 786.336.0138
13954 W Sunrise Blvd. / Sunrise / 954.846.8282 (coming soon)
2400 West Commercial Blvd. / Tamarac / 954.676.5550
2200 West Glades Rd. Ste. 1200B / Boca / 561.347.1750
11295 Legacy Ave. / Palm Beach / 561.691.6036

Like Pasha's, Moe's is an up-and-coming fast-food chain making waves by having a great concept, great prices and offering an extremely vegetarian and vegan-friendly menu. They offer all the Mexican-American staples - massive burritos, nachos, quesadillas - but they advertise that their beans and rice are lard-free and offer TOFU as a meat option!! Big time veggie points for that. One can also order their burrito "naked" which puts everything in a bowl instead of a wrap - great for carb-cutters. Moe's puts Taco Bell to SHAME in a variety of ways and the difference is only $2 or $3 bucks. When given the option, definitely go for Moe's.
$

Soyka

2006-12-23T18:41:00.000-05:00

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!
$$

Lido Restaurant at The Standard Hotel

2006-12-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

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.
$$$

P.F. Chang's

2006-12-02T15:29:00.000-05:00

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.
$$

The Honey Tree

2006-11-29T21:54:00.000-05:00

5138 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.759.1696

The Honey Tree health food store on Biscayne and 51st runs the yummiest vegan/vegetarian lunch counter in the city. Head to the back of the shop and most weekdays and you'll find a line of people waiting, mouths watering, to dive into their healthy, homemade creations. Every day everything is fresh and different. Especially awesome: guacamole from scratch, tofu/seitan in magical sauces, roasted veggies of alllll sorts, TACO PIE, lasagnas, empanadas, and the list goes on. Eat some real food for lunch instead of fake-ass greasy drive-thru! Your mom would be proud.
$$

Udipi Café

2006-11-29T15:18:00.001-05:00

2100 N. University Dr. / Sunrise / 954.748.5660

Udipi 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 I've found 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.
$$

Garden Of Eatin'

2006-11-28T20:06:00.003-05:00

136 NW 62nd St. / Miami / 305.754.8050

Welcome friends, to vegan paradise. This unassuming spot serves up some of the heartiest, most original and cheapest vegan fare in Miami. There is no set menu as everything is made from scratch daily. Because everything is so fresh, lunch rules here as they can run out of things as the day goes on. There are always great choices with fantastic flavor - yummy veggie stews, callilou, couscous, and excellent fake meats made into kabob skewers, tacos and more. They also offer fresh juices (try the ginger!), and every Thursday is ethnic day where you can sample some rad Ethiopian or Guayanese food. Garden definitely picks up where Tree of Zion (R.I.P.) left off and then some. Most highly recommended! Here are quick directions as it's a bit hard to find: Garden of Eatin' is on NW 62nd St. just west of N Miami Ave. It's on the south side in between two yellow buildings at the far end of the parking lot and there's usually a sandwich board pointing the way - GO!
$

Here Comes The Sun

2006-11-28T20:05:00.001-05:00

2188 NE 123rd St. / North Miami / 305.895.6793

Tofu…vegetarian chili…a freakin’ MACROBIOTIC PLATTER…this place is a well-rounded vegetarian’s dream. Here Comes The Sun serves “low fat, low salt, and low cholesterol dishes, because we care about your health!” Even tho that doesn’t sound like much fun, their food is yummy, plentiful, and satisfying. To those people who complain that they never feel “full” when forgoing meat, just try to finish their Oven-Baked Spinach Lasagna without loosening your belt. We also highly recommend their famous “Sunburger” veggie burger and just smother that thing in their addictive "Sun Sauce" which is thoughtfully supplied at every table. Bonus props for offering soy cheese, spirulina shakes, and other culinary touches that make health-food connoisseurs feel at home. Take out and delivery available.
$$

Hiro Sushi Express

2006-11-28T20:04:00.002-05:00

5140 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.759.0914
1518 Washington Ave. / South Beach / 305.531.6068
17408 W. Dixie Hyw. / North Miami Beach / 305.949.0776
10041 Sunset Strip / Sunrise / 954.746.4476

Yes it’s true, you can eat sushi without eating fish! This growing chain offers quick, simple and cheap Japanese sushi and bowls without sacrificing quality, and they have decent veg options. Their “Veggieville” combo comes with 3 pieces of veggie sushi, a veggie roll, and a kappa (cucumber) roll, all for $7.25. Plus, Hiro’s signature ginger dressing is positively orgasmic and we highly recommend getting extra to take home and put all over everything.
$

Karma

2006-11-28T20:04:00.001-05:00

7010 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.759.1392

Well-designed car wash/café next door to Dogma. Great vegetarian tapas (olives, cheeses) and a nice selection of rarer wine and beers. Bonus props: Framboise Lambic and soy chai lattes!
$$

Miss Yip Chinese Café

2006-11-28T20:02:00.000-05:00

1661 Meridian Ave. / South Beach / 305.534.5488

Now here is a progressive restaurant – imaginative décor, funky atmosphere, and an extensive, reasonably priced menu with fantastic vegetarian/vegan options. Their Papa Yip vegetable dim sum platter is a welcome relief for vegetarians who love dumplings but are scared of accidentally ordering chicken feet or other strange animal parts. Miss Yip also has a tight $10.88 lunch special every day from noon to 6pm. Bonus props for Buck15, the hip lounge upstairs filled with art toys and graffiti murals.
$$

Pasha's

2006-11-28T20:01:00.000-05:00

1414 Brickell Ave. / Miami Financial District / 305.416.5116
900 Lincoln Rd. / South Beach / 305.673.3919
14871 Biscayne Blvd. / North Miami Beach / 786.923.2323
3801 N. Miami Ave. / Design District / 305.573.0201

Pasha’s pretty much rules. This independent, Mediterranean fast-ish food chain is low-priced, well-designed, and conveniently located. They have a wealth of vegetarian and vegan options which guarantee that you will not go hungry here (on the contrary) and the menu even helpfully denotes them with a little green leaf. Pasha’s pride themselves on being a healthier alternative to fast food, offering fresh-squeezed juices and even beer and wine as alternatives to soda. We hope they put Taco Bell out of business!
$

Sara's

2006-11-28T20:00:00.005-05:00

[CLOSED] 2214 NE 123rd St. / Miami / 305.891.3312
3944 46th Avenue / Hollywood / 954.986.1770

It is with a heavy heart that I must report that Sara's is no longer. The owners retired and sold the spot to this awfully boring "Fresh Diet" franchise that purports to be healthy and offers salads and wraps but doesn't even offer TOFU as a protein option. It's Kosher but not very vegan friendly. Sara's, you will be missed.

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.
$
SARA'S WEBSITE

Dogma Grill

2006-11-28T19:59:00.003-05:00

7030 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.759.3433

All the crack in the Biscayne Blvd area must haven't gotten to Dogma because they've decided to stop serving veggie dogs (which were $1 extra to begin with). They've gone downhill in a number of other ways lately as well–last time I was there they had run out of FRIES. You can pretty much forget about this place. Extra sad because there is so much potential for a place like this to kick ass by having a menu that caters to all diets and being open a bit later. Bleh.

Deli Lane

2006-11-28T19:58:00.000-05:00

7230 SW 59th Ave. / South Miami / 305.665.0606
1401 Brickell Ave. / Miami Financial District / 305.377.8811

This 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.
$

Pita Plus

2006-11-28T19:56:00.000-05:00

1049 Washington Ave. / South Beach / 305.695.9222

The damn finest falafel sandwich in Miami, hands down. These pita professionals deftly load ‘em up with fresh, awesome toppings (especially noteworthy is their mashed garlic eggplant) and deliver you a dank, 2-hand sandwich for under 5 bucks. A nice little shaded sitting area in the back and honey-dripping baklava for dessert make Pita Plus an oasis you can’t pass up.
$

Soli Organic Ice Cream

2006-11-28T19:54:00.000-05:00

7209 SW 59th Ave. / South Miami / 305.663.9399

Sumptuous flavors made with 100% organic ingredients, sweetened with agave nectar, and served in homemade waffle cones! Yummy sorbets offered for the vegans and lactards among us. Above-average prices (even by South Beach standards) but worth it.
$

Tap Tap

2006-11-28T19:53:00.001-05:00

819 5th St. / South Beach / 305.672.2898

Eating at Tap Tap is a sensory experience – the restaurant is hand-painted floor-to-ceiling with brilliantly colored folk-art, and their Haitian rum mojitos will have you feeling smooth. The veggie options here are few, but delicious. We highly recommend the “zepina nan sos kokoye” (spinach in coconut sauce) and getting there for happy hour.
$$
TAP TAP'S WEBSITE

Pine Garden

2006-11-28T19:51:00.000-05:00

1688 North Federal Hwy. / Boca / 561.395.7534

On first glance, Pine Garden seems like your average Chinese-restaurant-in-a-strip-mall. However, have a seat, ask for their "Complete Vegetarian Menu" and buckle up, kiddo. They literally have over ONE-HUNDRED-AND TWENTY different dishes, as well as a lengthy list of combination plates, appetizers, casseroles and more. Whoa. Pine Garden specializes in meat analogs - seitan and tofu, as well as fake chicken, beef, ham, pork and even shrimp for the super protein-lovin' vegetarians. It's actually hard to believe it's all faux at times but Pine Garden pledges that "everything we serve in this menu is completely vegetarian! The dishes might taste like something else, but we assure you only vegetarian ingredients are used." And, their menu promises "Low Oil, Low Cholesterol, No MSG" which is a relief for vegetariants sick of getting a dish that's meat-free, yet glistening with a slick coat of oil. If you're living within normal driving distance of this place, make this a staple in your progressive dining out. If you're in Miami, this place is definitely worth the trip.
$$

Organically Fresh Health Food Market + Wellness Center

2006-11-28T19:50:00.000-05:00

21334 Saint Andrews Blvd. / Boca / 561.362.0770

Organic gourmet deli and juice bar located in the Town Square Plaza. As my friend Parker put it, "the sweet potato-apple salad, the eggless egg salad with tofu, and the brown rice pudding were all like massive orgasms in my mouth." Sounds good to me.
$

SUBLIME

2006-11-28T19:45:00.002-05:00

1431 N. Federal Hwy. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.539.9000

Sublime is by far the best vegetarian restaurant in the tri-county area. So good, we gave it FIVE hearts when four is the highest rating we give! Even though they advertise as serving "World Vegetarian Cuisine," Sublime is fully vegan and even serves organic liquors. A gorgeous room with elements of bamboo, falling water and general feng-shui'd idyll, Sublime's ever-changing seasonal menu is up there with every other world-class vegan establishment and is a local favorite of visiting veggie celebs like Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, and Pamela Anderson. Thank deliciousness their hiatus was just temporary.
$$
SUBLIME'S WEBSITE

Canyon

2006-11-28T19:44:00.001-05:00

1818 E. Sunrise Blvd. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.765.1950

Two meatless appetizers and ZERO meatless entrees. Odd because on their website they even mention that the appetizers are in fact meatless, but then that's all there is. Go for drinks, if at all.
$$
CANYON'S WEBSITE

Mai Kai

2006-11-28T19:40:00.001-05:00

3599 N. Federal Hwy. / Ft. Lauderdale / 954.563.3272

A gorgeous, classic tiki-style restaurant from the 50’s, but also another place where you’ll be eating side dishes (and dubious/potentially tainted ones at that). Go anyway for the potent retro cocktails and the kitschy Polynesian ambience.
$$$
MAI KAI'S WEBSITE

Tequila Sunrise

2006-11-28T19:38:00.001-05:00

4711 North Dixie Highway / Oakland Park / 954.938.4473

Dependable, low-key but satisfying Mexican food. They've got an awesome veggie burrito topped with cilantro cream sauce, fishbowl-sized margaritas (seriously, get a designated driver) and their refried beans are advertised as vegetarian.
$$
TEQUILA SUNRISE'S WEBSITE

18th Street Café

2006-11-28T19:34:00.002-05:00

210 NE 18th St. / Miami / 305.381.8006

Formerly a cute, veggie-friendly neighborhood joint called the Corner Muse Café, this place has been renamed and their new menu has all but annihilated any sort of meatless fare. I went once, made do with what they could offer and found no reason to return.
$

Andiamo! Brick Oven Pizza

2006-11-25T18:22:00.002-05:00

5600 Biscayne Blvd. / Miami / 305.762.5751

Vegetarian-friendly: Yes
Vegan-friendly: Kinda

Tons of gourmet vegetarian pizza combinations that can be made vegan via the omission of cheese. They offer swanky toppings like truffle oil, tri-colored peppers, kalamata olives and more, also offering panini, salads and non-vegan desserts. Bonus props though for serving Boylan’s sodas (we recommend the Black Cherry) instead of HFCS crap.

The ratatouille pizza, sans queso

$$
andiamopizzamiami.com