Seattle-Mecca for Vegetarians-Who Knew? by Lynn Marshall
Seattle has a wide selection of vegetarian restaurants – everything from formal dinning to casual drop-in spots. These ten are our favorite vegetarian and vegan spots, but many restaurants in the Emerald City offer vegetarian entrées and some even have vegetarian menus – just ask!
CARMELITA 7314 Greenwood Ave. N. , (206) 706-7703 Hours: Sun, Tue-Thu 5-10 pm; Fri-Sat, 5-10:45 pm. It’s immediately apparent that there are artistic talents at work at Carmelita. Michael Hughes and Kathryn Neumann, the owners, met in art school and Carmelita’s décor has the quality of art made from found items – antique linoleum, chalk board, you name it. The restaurant is named for Michael’s Mom. But the real art here is the food. The menu is made up of both vegan and vegetarian dishes which changes seasonally. The chef uses organic ingredients whenever possible. The chestnut custard starter is outstanding, as is every entrée we’ve tried. In good weather, peek under the deck and check out the restaurant’s garden. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $30
BAMBOO GARDEN 364 Roy Street, (206) 282-6616 Hours: Daily, 11 am-10 pm. Bamboo Garden is still going strong after more than 15 years. The restaurant serves what it calls Royal Chinese cuisine, according to legend, these were dishes created for the emperor during an annual seven week period of vegetarianism. Bamboo Garden is also certified kosher, and they are happy to meet any special dietary requirements you may have. The menu is extensive; ranging from specialties like brazed portabella mushrooms in a secret sauce, to an entire section of vegetarian ‘meat’ and ‘poultry’ choices – all made from vegetable proteins. Like the emperors of old, you won’t feel you are making any kind of sacrifice eating these dishes. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $25
CAFÉ FLORA 2901 East Madison, (206) 325-9100 Hours: Tue-Fri, 11:30 am - 10 pm, Sat-Sun, 9 am - 2 pm, 5 pm - 10 pm. Café Flora is made up of two rooms – the casual dining room, with brightly colored walls – and the spectacular garden room, set around a lovely rock fountain, with patio tables and potted trees. The menu is predominantly veterinarian, but there are a few vegan specialties as well. The Oaxaca tacos – made of mashed potatoes and cheese with lime cream fraiche and the portabella Wellington have been popular for years, and are great choices. Café Flora also offers a three-course prix fixe menu that lets you try some of the chef’s current favorites. If you go for Sunday brunch, don’t miss the beignets – the traditional Big Easy deep fried pastry is wonderful. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $30
TEAPOT VEGETARIAN HOUSE 125 15th Ave. E., (206) 324-2262 Hours: Daily, 11:30 am - 10:30 pm. Teapot is an all vegan, kosher restaurant. It is like dinning in a Buddhist monastery – calm, contemplative, and soothing – but this isn’t a temple. The fountain in the middle of the room decorated with beer bottles and the neon teapots on the ceiling remind you of that. The menu is extensive – eight types of soup, hotpots, many different noodle and rice dishes. The steamed pot stickers with vinegar and sesame dipping oil will change your mind forever about the fried variety. This is another great place to try out the ‘meat’ made from vegetable proteins. The duck chow mein and the smoked salmon are particularly good examples.
SILENCE-HEART-NEST 3508 Freemont Place N., (206) 633-5169 Hours: Mon, Wed – Fri, 7:30 am – 3 pm, Sat – Sun, 7:30 am – 4 pm. Silent-Heart-Nest was named by Indian spiritual advisor and teacher Sri Chinmoy. The restaurant’s stated goal is to satisfy its patrons and provides a peaceful atmosphere. Recently moved from its original location in the University district, where it had been going strong for more nearly 20 years to a new larger location in Freemont, Silent-Heart-Nest is even more popular now than in its strictly student days. Open only for breakfast and lunch these days, the menu offers a mix of vegan and vegetarian choices. At lunch go for the neatloaf sandwich, or the Thai coconut stir fry. A popular choice for breakfast is the Southern Swing – eggs with soy sausage and Cajun spices. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15.
ARAYA VEGETARIAN PLACE 1121 N.E. 45th St., (206) 524-4332 Hours: Mon – Thurs, 11:30 am – 9 pm, Fri – Sat, 11:30 am – 9:30 pm, Sun, 5:30 pm – 9pm. Araya is the only Thai vegetarian restaurant in Washington state, and it’s vegan too – but it’s the creative food, from the drunken mushrooms to the red pumpkin curry that will knock you out – and surprise any meat-eater in your party. The lunch buffet is a bargain at $6, and understandably very popular with the student population – Araya is right in the heart of the University district. The décor here is an upgrade from the restaurant’s previous location around the corner, and the Thai wall hangings and comfortable booths, help bring the atmosphere up to the high level of the food. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $20.
SUNLIGHT CAFÉ 6403 Roosevelt Way NE., (206) 522-9060 Hours: Daily, 7 am – 9 pm. Sunlight Café is Seattle’s oldest vegetarian restaurant; it’s been a fixture in the Roosevelt neighborhood for more than 20 years. Get a table in the sun-filled garden room if you can, since the plants and bright yellow walls are more in sync with the food and attitude of the café. Both dinning rooms overlook the open kitchen. Sunlight Café offers reasonably-priced wines, many available by the glass. The food is more typically American than in many vegetarian restaurants – the sweet potato cakes with tofu are wonderful, and the roasted vegetable lasagna is a great hearty dinner. Ask the staff – most dishes can easily be made to accommodate vegans. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $20.
PIZZA PI 5500 University Way NE., (206) 343 1415 Hours: Tues – Fri, 5pm – 10pm, Sat – Sun, 11 am – 10 pm. Pizza Pi is something truly rare - a vegan pizzeria. Using exclusively vegan cheeses, protein-based meat-substitutes and all of the usual pizza toppings – sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, peppers, etc. Pizza Pi makes great pizza and calzones. The Hawaiian is our favorite menu pizza, but they’ll be happy to put together any list of toppings that you come up with. The garlic-white sauce is a customer favorite. The space is tiny, with just a few tables - most of the business is take-out. You may want to call ahead even if you plan to eat at the restaurant, just to give them a head-start. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $10.
HEALTHY HEDON 129 Belmont Ave E., (206) 324 6066 Hours: Tues – Thurs, 1 pm – 9pm, Fri – Sat, 5 pm – 10 pm, Sun 12 pm – 4 pm. The Healthy Hedon, a new comer to Seattle’s Capitol Hill, calls itself “an experience in vegetarian decadence,” and that may actually be modest. The food is rich, enjoyable, and presented with just enough formality to distinguish it as a special meal. The menu ranges all over the world, from comfort food classics to dishes with strong Asian and Caribbean influences. Most menu items are vegan, but note that where they use cheese, it’s the real thing. The Seoul ‘phood’ – tofu served in Korean barbeque style – is not to be missed. The restaurant is in small converted house, and fills up quickly for dinner, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $25
WAYWARD CAFÉ 901 55th Ave. NE., (206) Hours: Tues – Sun, 9am – 6 pm. Wayward Café is a tiny, completely vegan, collectively-owned and managed restaurant. Located in the University district, the place has a young, hip vibe; the staff is pierced, passionate and political. But guess what? They can cook. And everyone who works there is invested in a good outcome to your meal. The sandwiches, like the seitan Philly and the tempeh Rubén have a citywide following – you can find them in grocery stores and cafés all over Seattle. Breakfast is also a huge hit here; the biscuits and gravy, waffles and pancakes all get raves, as do the pastries. If you visit for dinner try one of the ever changing special entrees. Estimated cost per person for dinner is $15.
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Seattle, WA