Not all of us are meat eaters, and while Washington, D.C., is a foodie town, you have to dig a little deeper to find the good vegetarian dining options!
But fear not, because here’s your guide to some of the best vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants the city has to offer.
Mt. Vernon Triangle: 655 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
Union Market: 395 Morse Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Shouk serves up modern Israeli street food in a chic fast-casual atmosphere, but with a twist. Everything on the Shouk menu is vegetarian. So, if you don’t eat meat, and you don’t want to be around meat, this is the spot for you.
The
menu allows you to order a pita or bowl, and also has some salad options as well. You can choose from such items as the "Mushroom," which includes cauliflower, asparagus, arugula, tahini, and za'atar; or the Shouk Burger, which consists of roasted tomato, pickled turnip, arugula, charred onion, and tahini. If you want a little something extra, add a side of sweet potato fries or top off your pita/bowl with extra harissa for more spice.
Is salad more your style? Try the flavorful beet salad with sweet potato, arugula, carrot, red onion, cashew, labneh, and pomegranate vinaigrette.
Shouk just opened its second location in Union Market. Make sure you check it out!
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1905 Palmer Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20001
If you pride yourself on eating healthy, you’ll love Fruitive. Everything on their
menu is 100 plant-based, so it’s perfect for vegans and anyone who wants to try the vegan lifestyle without sacrificing taste.
Done with a workout and want a healthy protein boost? Order one of Fruitive’s Liquid Meals, which are essentially smoothies and shakes packed with good-for-you nutrients. Popular items include the Dragon Berry, with almond milk, orange juice, strawberries, pitaya, and peaches; and the Coffee Date, which adds an extra dose of caffeine, with cold brew coffee, cashew milk, banana, peanut butter, raw cacao powder, and dates.
If you’re headed there for lunch, try one of the salads, sandwiches, or wraps. You’ll feel satisfied and good about yourself, knowing how clean you're eating!
Fruitive is located in the upscale City Center development, which features tons of
restaurants, shopping, and luxury apartment buildings.
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1341 L Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20005
Elizabeth’s Gone Raw is different than any other restaurant in Washington, D.C. First off, they are only open on Friday nights, and serve only 100 percent raw vegan fare. If you were looking for a fine dining establishment that was vegan-focused, this is it. The restaurant offers an a la carte and tasting menu, as well as organic wine pairings.
Some must-haves on the
menu are the Charcoal Blood Oranges, Truffle Purple Potatoes, and Sous Vide Indian Eggplant.
The restaurant is located in a converted federalist row house, which has maintained its history throughout the years. Since the restaurant is only open one day a week and features such a special menu, make sure you make a reservation in advance.
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George Washington University: 800 22nd Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20052
Tenleytown: 4531 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20016
Dupont Circle: 1528 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C., 20036
Beefsteak is one of the most recent creations of celebrated Washington, D.C., chef, Jose Andres. The fast-casual
menu focuses on vegetables but isn’t purely vegetarian. If you'd like to top your bowl off with a bit of something meaty, there are certainly options, but why would you want to with so many delicious farm-fresh veggies available?
It’s the perfect spot to grab some lunch and get away from your desk during the work day.
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Whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or just want to try something different, you’re sure to find something delicious among these options.
Have you been to any of these veggie-friendly restaurants before? Tell us your favorite spot in the comments below!
