Boston is sometimes called "Beantown," but vegetarians will find a lot more than beans on the menus at these restaurants and cafes. I'll be willing to bet that these restaurants will even win over those stubborn meat and potato types and open up new dining options.
T.J. SCALLYWAGGLE’S - Vegan 487 Cambridge St., Allston, MA (617) 787-9884 Hours: daily 11am-midnight; delivery offered “Comfort food for enlightened times” is the motto of this progressive house of pizza and subs. At T.J. Scallywaggle’s, there’s more to a vegan sub sandwich than limp, overcooked veggies on soggy bread! The hearty and wholesome subs and roll ups include such inventions as the “Chikhin Parmesan” and “Maggie’s Meetbahls.” As for pizza toppings, the selection goes beyond boring green pepper and onion, with “pepperino,” “bufflow chikhin,” and “sauhsage” options. Also available are pasta plates, salads, calzones, smoothies, and desserts—which, speaking of dessert, don’t leave without trying the “cheezecake!” The atmosphere is casual and funky, but if you prefer to dine at home, take-out and delivery are available.
Estimated cost per person = $6-$10
Holiday schedule varies, please call first.
VEGGIE PLANET - Vegetarian and Vegan 47 Palmer Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA (617) 661-1513 Hours: M-Sa 11:30am-10:30pm; Su brunch 11am-3pm, dinner 4-10:30pm These folks have arguably created a little utopian planet in Harvard Square, offering food and music to nourish the soul. The inventive vegetarian pizzas and rice dishes are created with mostly organic and locally-produced ingredients and lots of love, while the organic bread (the dough purchased from a nonprofit bakery) is fresh baked in a special “ecological” oven. In the evenings, the restaurant becomes Club Passim, a well-known folk music venue that attracts local and national talent. And as if all this weren’t enough to warm the heart, Veggie Planet donates a percentage of its profits to organizations promoting social and environmental change.
Estimated cost per person = $7-$15
Holiday schedule varies, please call first.
LIFE & LIGHT VEGETARIAN - Vegetarian and Vegan 115 Elm St., Newton, MA 02465 (617) 630-8101 Hours:Tue-Thurs 11am-9pm; Fri 11am-10pm and Sun 11:30am-9pm Life & Light serves up the best vegetarian Chinese food in the city. You wont even miss meat after eating these traditional Chinese takeout staples: kung pao chicken and Szechuan pork. The meat is actually textured vegetable protein, but you wouldn’t know the difference unless someone tells you. You won't find any meat on the menu, not even fish. And, the kicker...its so inexpensive.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $5-$10
Holiday Schedule New Year’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Year’s Eve-Open
BUDDHA’S DELIGHT VEGETARIAN - Vegetarian and Vegan 5 Beach St. Boston, MA 02111 (617) 451-2395 Hours: Sun - Thurs.11 am- 9:30 pm.; Fri-Sat 11 am - 10:30 pm The menu here is mainly Vietnamese and they don’t use any meat whatsoever. The restaurant states that no animal products are ever used. It’s a great spot for those who want mock-meat options while soaking up the atmosphere in Boston’s Chinatown. The duck stir-fry and beef chow mein do taste delicious, minus the meat. There’s also cleverly prepared non-meat dishes like stir-fried tofu and steamed noodles to choose from. Also pop into the Brookline location (404 Harvard St.) for some unique vegetarian Chinese-style cuisine.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $5-$10
Holiday Schedule New Year’s Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Open, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Open, New Year’s Eve-Open
GRASSHOPPER - Vegetarian and Vegan 1 North Beacon St., Brighton, MA 02135 (617) 254-8883 Hours: Sun-Thurs. 11 am-10 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am- 11 pm Grasshopper is heavy on Chinese items and its one of the healthier and tastier non-meat menus in Boston. They don’t skimp on the portions or the spices, either. Don’t miss the spicy curry vermicelli noodles with spring rolls or the spicy Chinese eggplant. This is a great place to check out for Asian vegetarian food. And, it's full of ambiance, created by shades of green and Asian lanterns.
ORGANIC GARDEN - Vegetarian and Vegan 294 Cabot St. Beverly, MA 01915 (978) 922-0004 Hours: Sun-Thurs. 11 am- 9 pm; Fri-Sat 11 am-10 pm Yes, its in the suburbs north of Boston, but vegetarians will think they’ve died and gone to veggie heaven. Its really only a 40-minute drive and worth every gallon of gas to dine at a restaurant that serves vegetarian cuisine, not food. The recipes are made from scratch with low- or no-heat cooking techniques, using only fresh certified organic vegetarian ingredients (read no dairy or animal). The Veggie SunBurger is a plum savory vegetable and seed burger. It’s made from scratch and is cooked in a special dehydrator. Also, check out the daily soup and appetizer specials and treat yourself to a brownie or slice of apple pie, each made without dairy, sugar or wheat, for dessert.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $10-$20 Sunday brunch is $14.95
CENTRE STREET CAFE - Vegetarian 669 Centre St. Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (617) 524-9217 Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30 am- 3 pm; Dinner seven days 5 pm - 10 pm; Sat/Sun brunch 9 am -3 pm This eclectic veggie haven is located in JP, a section of Boston that’s being revitalized. You might even see JP’s favorite neighbor and Red Sox ace pitcher Pedro Martinez walking down Centre Street. This neighborhood eatery has a 1960s atmosphere and meatless dishes that will tame the wildest of carnivores. They use only the freshest locally grown ingredients and offer many vegetarian options. Try the potato and mushroom stew or sesame peanut noodles with crunchy cabbage, bok choy, carrots, and celery over Chinese egg noodles and a peanut-y sauce. On this and many other dishes, you can add tofu for $1.50.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $10-$15
Holiday Schedule New Year’s Day-Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
MILK STREET CAFÉ - Vegetarian 50 Milk St., Boston, MA (617) 542-3663 Hours: Open for breakfast and lunch Mon- Fri at the Milk Street location 7 am - 3 pm; Post Office Square 7 am - 5 pm Walk into this cafeteria-style dairy, kosher restaurant and check out the offerings, all are large portions of low-fat, savory, home-style cooking. It's motto is Real Food, Real People, and Milk Street certainly lives up to that reputation. The stars of the menu here are the huge sandwiches and sandwich wraps (highly recommended is the grilled eggplant). For something lighter, there's try the spicy chilled gazpacho or the fabulous fruit salad. There is also a location in Post Office Square.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $5-$10
Holiday Schedule: Schedule varies, please call first
AUJOURDHUI - Vegetarian options 200 Boylston St., Boston, MA (617) 451-1392 Hours: Lunch Sun-Fri 11:30 am- 2 pm; Dinner Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 10 pm; Lunch is not served on Sat. Take your favorite vegetarian here and treat them to a five-star dining experience. Located in the posh Four Seasons Hotel, enjoy new American cuisine overlooking the Public Garden. Seasonal menu offers alternative cuisine and vegetarian dishes. There’s a special five-course chef’s Vegetarian Tasting Menu for $52. It includes a summer tomato appetizer, gazpacho soup and a pineapple lime pudding cake.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $60-$70
Holiday Schedule New Year’s Day-Closed, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
THE ELEPHANT WALK - Vegetarian options 900 Beacon St. Boston, MA. 02215 (617) 247-1500 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA (617) 492-6900 Hours: Mon- Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm; Dinner: Sun.-Thur.; Fri-Sat 5 pm-11pm Many items on this Cambodian- and French-influenced menu can be ordered vegetarian. Try the signature Cambodian spring rolls that are filled with shiitake mushrooms instead of pork. Also recommended is the curry de legumes, which is an entirely vegetarian entree with vegetable curry, baby bok choy, butternut squash, zucchini, green beans and eggplant. The restaurant is posh and noted for its extensive wine list. Both locations are the ideal setting for a group celebration and its eclectic menu is appealing to all different tastes. Take out and delivery are also available at both locations.
Estimated cost per person per dinner = $20-$30
Holiday Schedule New Year’s Day-Closed, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Closed, Christmas Day-Closed, New Year’s Eve-Open
The Top List of Veggie Restaurants - Boston, MA