Fruits and vegetables incite strong opinions. There are people who abstain from beets because they taste like sweet dirt, those who consider cauliflower the anemic cousin of broccoli, and even a few monsters who pass on avocados because of their grassy flavor. So it’s not really a surprise that people hear the term “meatless meal” and envision a big pile of fruits and vegetables sitting on a plate. That’s very rarely the case. Good vegetarian food lacks animal flesh but not seasoning, fats, acids, or umami.
With a desire to eat well, while eating plants, we turned to 11 superstar chefs and asked where to find the best vegetarian meals in the country. They picked some winners — from California to New York and plenty of spots in between. We highly recommend popping into one of these restaurants if you find yourself nearby. If not, consider trying a vegetarian dish at someplace closer to home. No one is making you go vegetarian, but the evidence clearly shows that decreasing your meat intake is good for you and the planet. And eating more plants makes you happier, so there’s that.
Chez Panisse (Berkeley, California) and Rustic Canyon (Los Angeles, California)
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Duncan Holmes, Executive Chef of Beckon| Call in Denver, Colorado
“I would go to the San Francisco Farmers market at Union Station in springtime. There are few places in this country where you can find produce of that caliber. Anywhere you turn you have the workings of an excellent “meatless” meal. Other than that, I would seek-out a great restaurant to have a ‘meatless meal’ and would likely visit Chez Panisse in Berkeley or Rustic Canyon in Los Angeles. I think Jeremey Fox’s approach to sourcing and vegetables is top notch. “
Planta (Miami, Florida)
Brian Nasajon, Chef of Beaker & Gray and Mason Eatery in Miami, Florida
“I actually very much enjoy vegetarian/vegan meals and I think Planta in South Beach for sure offers some of the best options. It is so damn delicious, you might even forget it’s meatless.”
Daily Bread (Miami, Florida)
Michael Beltran, Owner and Chef of Ariete in Miami, Florida
“I love Daily Bread in Miami. It’s a quaint, local spot serving up some of the best Middle Eastern food in town. They have everything from shawarma to falafel, hummus, and baklava. You can easily eat meatless there and not even notice because all the food is so delicious.”
The Red Fern (Rochester, New York)
Courtney Hellenschmidt, Chef de Cuisine at Toups Meatery in New Orleans, Louisiana
“As a big meat eater and advocate, it’s hard for me to get behind a vegan meal. But The Red Fern in Rochester, New York was the first time I went to dinner and didn’t miss my meat. The lentil burger was hands down the best vegan burger I’ve ever had. Going with a group of primarily meat eaters I was shocked to look around the table and hear no complaints. As hesitant as I was, I left very full and very happy.”
Chauhan Ale & Masala House (Nashville, Tennessee)
Travis Sparks, Chef of Tánsuŏ in Nashville, Tennessee
“We usually head to Chauhan Ale & Masala House. They actually have a full vegetarian menu available every day, which makes it easy to find a great meatless option like the chili paneer bhurjee relleno or paneer tikka poutine.”
Superiority Burger (New York, New York)
Mike Simmons, Chef and Partner of Café Marie-Jeanne in Chicago, Illinois
“The best meatless meal in America right now can be had at Superiority Burger in the East Village in Manhattan. It’s a tiny little subway-tiled hovel with a punky, scrappy vibe. With an entirely vegetarian menu, SB boasts insanely good produce, breads, bean curds, veggie burgers and gelatos. The Ritz cracker gelato topped with vegan(!) polenta gelato stands out. The addition of crazy condiments like “punish mustard” and Italian sausage-flavored bean spread make this place a clear winner. Once they even served me ultra-fresh focaccia right out of the oven, and it wasn’t even Focaccia Day!”
HiroNori Craft Ramen (Irvine, California)
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Fernando Valladares, Executive Chef of Ground House at TRADE and 4th Street Market and Portside Fish Co at TRADE in Irvine, California
“HiroNori Craft Ramen in Irvine has the most amazing vegan ramen. It has so much flavor! If you’re one of those who think vegan food can’t possibly taste good, the vegan ramen at HiroNori will change your mind.”
Plant Miami (Miami, Florida)
Santiago Gomez, Chef of Cantina La Veinte and Tacology in Miami, Florida
“Plant Miami is great for vegan options. You’d be surprised at the different ingredients and textures! They have a very flavorful menu. The lasagna and cheese are my favorite dishes! The environment is also very peaceful. Trust me, you won’t miss the meat.”
Oleana (Boston, Massachusetts)
Ian Maschal, Chef de Cuisine at Eventide Fenway in Boston, Massachusetts
“The vegetarian tasting menu at Oleana in Boston is unbelievable. Start to finish it’s a beautiful journey through the garden and it’s beyond cheap! Such a great deal and you feel good about yourself afterward for not having eight ounces of foie.”
Crif Dogs (New York, New York)
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Brian Young, Chef De Cuisine of Cultivar
“Want to avoid meat? Drink your meal at Crif Dogs in The East Village in NYC. Booze is vegan, right? If you don’t know, now you know….”
Main Street Pizza and Noodle (Park City, Utah)
Robin Miller, Star of Bluprint’s Real Life Kitchen
“Nothing beats a huge bowl of pasta after a full day of skiing. My favorite: the “House Pasta” — spaghetti with a heap of vegetables – artichokes, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, onions, and mushrooms. Those noodles and veggies glisten with olive oil and white wine. And Main Street Pizza and Noodle’s Caesar salad? Don’t even get me started. Suggested serving size is two; I don’t share.”
