October is Vegetarian Awareness month! So be aware that vegetarianism is a thing, and many think it's a very good thing, and there are restaurants popping up everywhere with delicious options. Foursquare rounded up all the best new vegetarian or vegan restaurants that have opened within the previous year. Dig in!
1. by CHLOE
185 Bleecker St. (at MacDougal St.), New York City
Grub type: American, cafe style
All images via Foursquare, used with permission.
Rating: With a 9.3/10 average rating, by CHLOE is the top pick in the country for vegetarian goodies.
Sample review:
"Everyone said the salads were amazing & I thought they were crazy, I got one & now I say the same thing. Mac & cheese is phenom. Get the espresso cookie!!!"
2. Beyond Sushi
62 W. 56th St. (Sixth Ave.), New York City
Grub type: The name says it all!
Sample review:
"Combo 3 with the Spicy Mango Roll and the Nutty Buddy wrap is my favorite lunch in midtown."
3. Amy's Drive-Thru
58 Golf Course Drive W, Rohnert Park, California
Check it out — Upworthy featured this one before!
Grub type: American quick-fix foodstuffs
Rating: 8.8/10
Sample review:
"Had the chili cheese fries and loved it! Also tried the broccoli Mac & cheese and it was yummy too!"
4. Cafe Gratitude Arts District
300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Suite A (at E. Third St.), Los Angeles
Grub type: Artsy,"hippie" fresh fare
Rating: 8.6/10
Sample review:
"They will have some more hippie and feel-good organic dish names on their new menu (just add 'I am' before each name) like their 'Abundant,' which is an antipasto appetizer plate with cultured macadamia cheese with white truffle; 'Dynamic,' a garnet yam and cauliflower samosas appetizer; and 'Bountiful' dinner dish, a gluten-free quinoa pasta sauteed with braised cauliflower, kale and cashew cream sauce. They'll also have a raw enchiladas dish made with a pumpkin seed and walnut chorizo encased in a spinach tortilla, which reminds us of something we'd find at Gracias Madre, their vegan-based Mexican restaurant in West Hollywood." — LAist
5. Veggie Grill
1320 Locust St., Walnut Creek, California
Grub type: Diner-type standbys like burgers and tacos
Rating: 8.6/10
Sample review:
"As a meat eater, I can attest to the fact that the 'chicken' here tastes pretty close to chicken. Delicious for both carnivores and herbivores."
6. VegeNation
616 E. Carson Ave., Suite 120, Las Vegas
Grub type: Runs the gamut, breakfast or lunch, meatball grinders to Mexican hummus to sushi
Rating: 8.8/10
Sample review:
"Wow. A gem in the heart of downtown Vegas. Charming interior and delicious vegan and vegetarian breakfast and lunch."
7. Native Foods Cafe
1216 W. Broad St., Falls Church, Virginia
Grub type: Family-friendly, casual, with wraps and quick bites
Rating: 8.2/10
Sample review:
"When you don't want to choose between chicken ranch sandwich and avocado crunch wrap, get the twister wrap. They'll give you extra sauces on the side if you can't decide between Ranch and Chipotle :-D"
8. Toad Style
93 Ralph Ave., Brooklyn
Grub type: Creative, eclectic starters and sandwiches
Rating: 8.2/10
Sample review:
"If you want my bahn mi and you think I'm sexy, come on honey tell me so."
9. Golden Era Vegan
395 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco
Grub type: Asian-inspired dishes like spring rolls, pho, and lemongrass tofu
Rating: 8.3/10
Sample review:
"We had spring rolls and lemongrass (fake) chicken. Both were tasty!"
10. Millennium
5912 College Ave., Oakland, California
Grub type: Pretty plates, large portions, with an Eastern twist
Rating: 8.2/10
Sample review:
"Yes, it's all vegan. And tasty. Burmese red-lentil curry is creamy, hearty. Stiff cocktails like a Redwood Martini w/ redwood tips and Millennium Manhattan w/ infused rye (in large jars at the bar)."
11. Superiority Burger
430 E. Ninth St. (between First Ave. and Ave. A), New York City
Grub type: Burgers and fried potatoes — classic Americana
Rating: 8.1/10
Sample review:
"Order the entire menu with a friend, eat it outside, and come back in for the desserts. Also, don't follow your (usually correct) instinct to avoid the 'wrap': it's the best stand-by dish they have."
12. Choices Cafe
2626 Ponce De Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, Florida
Grub type: Quick-serve wraps and juices
Rating: 7.6/10
Sample review:
"Delicious wraps, bowls, cookies and fresh juices!"
13. V Street
126 S. 19th St. (between Sansom and Walnut streets), Philadelphia
Grub type: Runs the multicultural spectrum, like Peruvian and Indian dishes, and the menu changes often
Rating: 8.1/10
Sample review:
"Best pure vegan restaurant I've ever been to. I'm generally a bit too carnivorous to venture this way, but I was blown away by how much I enjoyed their dishes. The papas criollas were excellent."
14. La Botanica
2911 N. Saint Mary's St., San Antonio, Texas
Grub type: Mexican-style deliciousness
Rating: 7.7/10
Sample review:
"Had the corn and nopal tacos. Pretty badass."
15. Wayward Vegan Cafe
801 NE 65th St., Seattle
Grub type: Brunch, lunch, and dinner, varying from pancakes to salads
Rating: 7.7/10
Sample review:
"Everything is great, but their burger selection and biscuits and gravy really stand out. Get the Biscuit Mountain."
If any of these are in your area, hit them up, and give the vegetarian life a shot. You may find some really delicious alternatives, if nothing else!