When asked to envision Philadelphian cuisine, one may automatically bring to mind the cheese steak, among other meaty dishes. Contrary to what some may think, however, there are numerous eateries in Philly that serve vegetarian and even vegan fare. The city offers many such restaurants in its atmospheric Chinatown section.
HORIZONS CAFE - Vegan 611 S. 7th Street Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215) 923-6117 Hours: (Tue-Thu) 6 pm-10 pm, (Fri-Sat) 6 pm-11 pm
Spread over two floors just off South Street, Horizon's Cafe is known in Philadelphia for it's unique brand of vegan fine dining. The intimate, upstairs dining room consists of only ten tables and offers a full menu. Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike can enjoy the tropically-influenced menu, with items such as Caribbean Tempeh and Hearts of Palm Paella. In the lower-level lounge, tapas and small plates are available, and live music spices up the atmosphere on Wednesdays. Dessert options include Saffron Creme Brulee and Hot Chocolate tart served with peanut butter ice cream. Also check out the extensive offerings of vegan beer and wine.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$20-$30
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
MAMA'S VEGETARIAN - Vegetarian 18th South 20th Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 (215) 751-0477 Hours: (Sun) 12:30 pm-9 pm, (Mon-Thu) 11 am-9 pm, (Fri) 11 am-3 pm, (Sat) CLOSED
The down-to-earth, no frills style of Mama's Vegetarian means the focus is on the restaurant's kosher, middle eastern, vegetarian cuisine. With an inexpensive menu mostly focused on sandwiches, Mama's is a great stop for a quick lunch or dinner on the go. With the glass counter and open kitchen in the dining room, diners can watch authentic falafel and delicate eggplant sandwiches prepared while they wait. Bourekas, flakey puff pastries filled with spinach, potato, or mushroom, are another middle eastern specialty at Mama's. A wide variety of rare Israeli soft drinks are also available, along with rich, sweet Baklava for dessert.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$5-$9 Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day- Open, New Year's Eve - Open
BASIC 4 VEGETARIAN SNACK BAR - Vegetarian Reading Terminal Market, 12th & Arch Streets Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 440-0991 Hours: 10 am-5 pm daily The Basic 4 has been serving up deli-style vegetarian delights in the bustling Reading Terminal Market since 1981. As its name suggests, the establishment believes in balanced as well as nutritious meals. This is the home of the one and only Vegetarian Philly Cheese Steak, which is made with soy mayonnaise and dairy-free cheese! Other entrees include soy chicken salad, tuna burgers, and soy corned beef sandwiches.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$5-$10
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
ESSENE MARKET & CAFÉ - Vegetarian 719 South 4th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147 (215) 922-1146 Hours: (Sun-Tues, Thurs, Sat) 9 am - 8 pm; (Wed, Fri) 9 am - 9 pm A fixture in the Philadelphia vegetarian scene for 32 years, the Essene has become the one-stop source for natural foods for a great many local herbivores. Its deli and bakery are top-notch. They avoid animal products, artificial ingredients, and refined sweeteners during the creation of their imaginative cuisine. Once diners have had a great Essene meal, they can then shop its market in order to create their own vegetarian feasts at home. Once you stop by Philly's first natural foods supermarket, you'll never go back to chain grocery stores again!
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$5-$11
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Closed, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
CHERRY STREET CHINESE VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT - Vegetarian 1010 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 923-3663 Mon-Thu) 11:30 am-10 pm, (Fri-Sat) 11:30 am-11 pm, (Sun) 12:30 pm-10 pm Nestled in the city's beautiful Chinatown section awaits the Cherry Street Chinese Vegetarian Restaurant. The establishment offers enchanting décor, including authentic Chinese art on the walls. The Cherry Street is one of the only kosher-certified Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia. Legend has it that owner Raymond Fung got his recipes from the chef of a Buddhist monastery. If that's true, you'll want to join such a monastery after you've tried Cherry Street's Steam Rainbow Bean Curd, which features Tofu layered with carrot and mock ham in a clear sauce, garnished with Chinese green kale. Cherry Street also offers mock beef and chicken.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$10-16$
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
GOVINDA'S CAFÉ AND GALLERY - Vegetarian and Vegan 1408 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 985-9303 Hours: (Mon) Closed; (Tues - Thurs) 2 pm - 10 pm; (Fri-Sat) 2 pm -12 am; (Sun) 1 pm - 9 pm Philly's well-known South Street is home to the elegant Govinda's. The restaurant offers American and Indian-style entrees loaded with gourmet quality and flair. Its cooks are wizards with spices and sauces without number. All of Govinda's desserts, from carrot cake to chocolate cake, are completely vegan. Govinda's also offers wonderful vegetarian catering services that can tempt even the meat-eating folk at any gathering.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$8-$16
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
KINGDOM OF VEGETARIANS - Vegan 129 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 413-2290 Hours: (Sun-Sat) 11 am - 11 pm Another Chinatown gem is the Kingdom of Vegetarians, a kosher vegan establishment that will thrill diners with the huge array of dishes that span its regular and dim sum menus. Let lively owner Ming usher you into a world of dizzying flavors. Mock meat versions of Chinese food favorites are available, such as sesame "chicken." A must-try is house specialty Jumbo Walnut Shrimp (fried "shrimp," candied walnuts, and broccoli).
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$7-$13
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
An incredible source for vegetarian and vegan dining and shopping in the heart of Center City! Natural Goodness prides itself on its selection, ranging from chili and salads to Japanese and macrobiotic fare. Then there are the organic pasta dishes and the vast selection of snacks to chose from, such as the wheat and gluten-free Frookie Cookies. Natural Goodness founder Beverly Stropes has ensured that the establishment adheres to two fundamental values: quality and social responsibility.
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$5-$11
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Open
SINGAPORE KOSHER VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT - Vegetarian and Vegan 1006 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 922-3288 Hours: 11 am-11 pm daily The Singapore has enough ambiance for a first date and enough class for a business meeting! Its fare ranges from Chinese, Malaysian, Buddhist, and Hindu dishes to Muslim and Kosher meals. Mock meat dishes abound here, and are served under such names as Rainbow Chicken, Orange Beef, and Sesame Herbal Duck. The Singapore is known for accommodating any and all special requests with regards to it dishes, especially those concerning allergies. The owner, Peter Fong, has also been known to pay his patron's parking tickets on Sundays!
Estimated cost per person for lunch/dinner=$6-$16
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
SUTAO CAFÉ - Vegan Great Valley Shopping Center, 81 Lancaster Avenue Malvern, PA 19355 (610) 651-8886 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 11:30 am-9:30 pm, (Sun) 12 pm-8:30 pm Just outside of Philadelphia is the vegan haven known as the SuTao Café. The name "SuTao" means "the way of vegetarianism." The restaurant offers express casual fare such as wraps and sandwiches as well as fine dining entrees. For herbivores on-the-go, there are offerings such as the Spicy Bella (grilled portabello mushroom and roasted red pepper wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla) and the SuTao Roll (meatless seafood served with or without lettuce, tomato, sweet onion, and pickle on whole wheat or white tortilla). For those with a memorable dinner in mind, there is Steak in Black Bean Sauce (sliced black textured soy protein, green pepper, and onion stir-fried in a spicy black bean sauce) and Kungbao Chicken (cubed carrots, celery, and white textured soy protein sautéed in a spicy brown sauce). All of SuTao's veggie meat and seafood dishes are made with textured soy protein, seiten, or taro jelly.
Estimated cost per person for dinner=$9-$14
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentine's Day- Open, Easter- Open, Thanksgiving - Open, Christmas Eve - Open, Christmas Day - Closed, New Year's Eve - Closed
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Philadelphia, PA