By Rachelle Lucas
Whether you’re looking for the perfect vegetarian restaurant in Florida to nourish a plant-based diet or are just in the mood for a big, leafy green salad as a healthy option while on vacation, here’s a roundup of vegetarian and vegan restaurants located throughout Florida.
SOUTH WALTON
Raw & Juicy
Vegetarian
Where: 2255 E County Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
Web: www.rawandjuicylife.com
Menu sample: Located in one of downtown Seaside’s famous airstreams, Raw & Juicy is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day serving cold-pressed organic juices, protein shakes, organic salads, and fresh prepared foods.
ST. AUGUSTINE
Present Moment Café
Vegetarian
Where: 224 W King St, St Augustine
Web: www.thepresentmomentcafe.com/
Menu sample: This is the type of vegetarian restaurant in Florida that makes you feel you did something good and healthy for yourself. Serving a variety of fresh-pressed juices and delicious plant-based meals, including Mango Samosas, A Buddha Bowl filled with whole grains and veggies, and their famous Kale Avocado ala Present Moment with avocado and lemon massaged kale with red bell pepper, sesame seeds, and candied pecans.
DAYTONA BEACH
Dancing Avocado
Vegetarian-friendly
Where: 110 S Beach St., Daytona Beach
Web: www.dancingavocadokitchen.com/
Menu sample: At this restaurant, avocados are king. They have a whole section of their menu dedicated to vegetarians titled, “Herbivore Space.” Try their most popular sandwich, the Dancer Avocado Melt with sliced avocado, three melted cheeses, tomatoes, sprouts, and onions served on toasted multigrain.
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Ethos Vegan Kitchen
100 percent vegan
Where: 601 S New York Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32789
Web: www.ethosvegankitchen.com
Menu sample: A variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastas available. Try their Vegetable Galette of seasoned carrots, potatoes, and broccoli wrapped in a layer of flaky pastry and baked until golden brown.
Stardust Coffee & Video
Vegetarian friendly
Where: 1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL 32803
Web: stardustvideoandcoffee.wordpress.com/
Menu sample: This urban cafe with a funky vibe has plenty of sandwiches, salads, and snacks available as a vegetarian option. Try their Rubin Farr, a not-so-classic rueben sandwich with tempeh, kraut, vegan 1000 dressing, daiya, jalapenos served on a rye break with chips.
Infusion Tea
Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly
Where: 1600 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804
Web: www.infusionorlando.com/
Menu sample: This tea house offers plenty of hearty food options including their Tuscan White Bean Panzanella Salad with cannellini beans, tomato, cucumber, green pepper, Kalamata olives, red onion, pine nuts and goat cheese on spring mix with our citrus vinaigrette and house made croutons. They also have a selection of classic tea sandwiches if you'd like to have a casual afternoon tea time.
TAMPA, SARASOTA, and CLEARWATER
ionie Organic Cafe
Vegan
Where: 1241 Fruitville Road, Sarasota
Web: www.ionie.com
Menu sample: This cafe boasts a menu made with all raw, organic, or wild-crafted ingredients. The menu includes everything from freshly-squeezed juices to hearty entrees like kelp pesto and kale as well as a pizza with a crust made from sprouted buckwheat, carrot and flax.
Veg
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, raw
Where: 2164 Gulf Gate Drive Sarasota
Web: vegsrq.com
Menu sample: This vegetarian and seafood eatery offers a menu to please all palates. Some of their delicious entrees include sweet thai chili tacos, cauliflower steak, sweet potato and lentil pate, and marinated portabella topped with caramelized onions and garlic mashed potatoes on a bed of sautéed spinach and quinoa.
Nature’s Food Patch Cafe
Vegetarian
Where: 1225 Cleveland St, Clearwater
Web: www.naturesfoodpatch.com
Menu sample: A quaint cafe located inside a gourmet food market that offers organic fresh juices and smoothies as well as veggie burritos and sandwiches such as their "Shroomer" with marinated portobello, cheddar, roasted peppers, spinach & pesto veganaise on multi-grain bread.
The Cider Press Café
Vegan. Also offering gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
Where: 601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Web: www.ciderpresscafe.com
Menu sample: This restaurant offers vegan gourmet with a modernist twist. At the bar you have made-to-order juices, smoothies, house-brewed kombuchas, wine, and beer. A few notable menu items include their portobello churrasco with chimichurri, oyster mushroom-passion fruit ceviche with crispy corn chips, and guilt-free lasagna made with layers of ruskin tomato, zucchini, sun dried tomato marinara, herbed cashew ricotta, and basil spinach pesto.
NAPLES, MARCO ISLAND, THE EVERGLADES
The Local
Vegetarian. Gluten-free options available.
Where: 5323 Airport-Pulling Road, Naples
Web: www.thelocalnaples.com/
Menu sample: The Local serves farm fresh and sea-to-table cuisine. Their vegetarian options include “Kung Pao” Avocado Panko Breaded with jasmine rice, bell pepper, onion, cilantro and cashews. They also offer a Navy Bean and Corn stuffed tortilla and a Local Garden Veggie Flatbread with house-made ricotta, white truffle oil, oyster mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes.
WEST PALM BEACH
Darbster
100 percent vegan
Where: 8020 S Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach and
6299 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton
Web: www.darbster.com/
Menu sample: Try their Quinoa Loaf, Palm Cakes, or Beet Tartare with roasted beets, avocado, cucumber, jalapeno ponzu. They also have a Raw Bacon Cheese Burger with herb burger, romaine, plum tomato, red onion, cashew cheese, eggplant bacon, on sprouted buckwheat bread.
More options
For more options, check out this SoFlo Vegans Directory.