Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

Symbol Key:

• Vegetarian restaurant
•• Vegan restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Alabama

Birmingham

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Homewood and Hoover.)

·Golden Temple Natural Grocery & Café

1901 11th Ave., S., Birmingham, AL 35205

(205) 933-6333

Vegetarian. Sandwiches, salads, drinks, and daily specials are offered at this quick-service vegetarian café. Low-salt meals are also available. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, fresh juices, take-out, VISA/MC, $.

Pita Stop Café

1106 12th St., S., Birmingham, AL 35205

(205) 328-2749

Lebanese. Enjoy Middle Eastern dishes, such as hummus, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, and falafel at the Pita Stop Café. They are located near the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Southside. Open Monday through Thursday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday for lunch. Open Saturday for dinner after sundown. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, $-$$.

Surin West

1918 11th Ave., S., Birmingham, AL 35205

(205) 324-1928

Thai. This formal restaurant offers sushi, stir-fries, and many traditional Thai dishes. Nearly everything on their menu can be made vegetarian or vegan upon request. Surin West is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, beer/wine/alcohol, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX, $-$$$.

The Bottletree Café

3719 3rd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35222

(205) 533-6288

Eclectic. The Bottletree Café is a unique place. It's a bar and music venue but also a café that is extremely vegetarian-friendly. Try their homemade black bean burger, vegan chili, tofu hot dogs, blackened tofu tacos, or a mixed green salad with vegan ranch dressing. Outdoor seating is available. Open Monday for dinner through late night. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner through late night. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, soymilk, beer/wine/alcohol, non-alcoholic beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

The Purple Onion

1717 10th Ave., S., Birmingham, AL 35205

(205) 933-2424

1017 20th St., S., Birmingham, AL 35205

(205) 930-1915

American/Mediterranean. The Purple Onion is a restaurant, deli, and grill all rolled into one. They serve a unique combination of American and Mediterranean cuisine. Open daily for three meals through late night. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

Daphne

Bangkok Thai Cuisine

28600 US Highway 98, Daphne, AL 36526

(251) 626-8292

Thai. Bangkok Thai Cuisine offers a large selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes such as Vegetable Pad Thai, Curry, Fried Rice, and more. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Homewood

The Purple Onion

479 Green Springs Hwy., Homewood, AL 35209

(205) 941-9979

American/Mediterranean. See description under Birmingham, AL.

Hoover

Ali Baba Persian Restaurant

110 Centre At Riverchase, Hoover, AL 35216

(205) 823-2222

Persian. Located in the Birmingham suburb of Hoover, this restaurant has several vegetarian options. You can feast on starters like Hummus, Baba Ghanouj, Kashk o' Bademjan (fried and stewed eggplant with garlic, mint, onion, spices, and whey), or the Shirazi Salad (a Persian dish made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, mint, and parsley mixed with lemon juice and olive oil). Entrées include the Vegetarian Kabob and the "Create your own Vegetarian Plate" from choices like Falafel, Tabbouleh, and the appetizers and salads listed above. They also have an on-line store where customers can buy hard-to-find Middle Eastern spices. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. Open Sunday for lunch buffet and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

The Purple Onion

1550 Montgomery Hwy., Ste. P, Hoover, AL 35216

(205) 822-7322

American/Mediterranean. See description under Birmingham, AL.

Huntsville

Curry-N-A-Hurry

2420 Jordan Ln., Ste. J, Huntsville, AL 35816

(256) 722-0240

Caribbean. Curry-N-A-Hurry has lots of vegetarian options and some vegan ones, though they are not listed as such. They offer wraps and huge plates of home-cooked Caribbean dishes. The restaurant provides a great environment with soca music and casual decor. Curry-N-A-Hurry serves imported sodas with sparkling water, like Apple Jay from Jamaica. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Jamo's Café

413 Jordan Ln. NW, Huntsville, AL 35805

(256) 837-7880

Café/coffeehouse/juice bar. Jamo's Café serves Middle Eastern and American fare with several vegetarian options. Try the Vegetarian B.L.T. and the soups, which are always vegetarian. Jamo's is near the University of Alabama at Huntsville. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Rosie's Mexican Cantina

7540 Memorial Pkwy., SW, Ste. R, Huntsville, AL 35802

(256) 382-3232

6125 University Dr., NW, Huntsville, AL 35802

(256) 922-1001

Mexican. Rosie's offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare in an open, authentic, and family-style Mexican restaurant. Try the vegetable burrito with mushrooms, zucchini, onions, bell peppers, and beans. Also note that the rice and beans used in vegetarian dishes are prepared without chicken broth, as opposed to the meat dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, $-$$.

Mobile

Bangkok Thai Cuisine

3821 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608

(251) 344-9995

5345 Highway 90 W., Mobile, AL 36608

(251) 666-7788

Thai. See description under Daphne, AL.

Jerusalem Café

5773 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608

(251) 304-1155

Middle Eastern. Jerusalem Café offers traditional Mediterranean dishes such as hummus and falafel. They have many vegetarian and vegan dishes to choose from. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for lunch. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Virginia's Health Foods & Sunflower Café

3952 Airport Blvd., Ste. B, Mobile, AL 36608

(251) 345-0494

Natural foods store/café. Virginia's Health Foods is a natural foods store offering organic produce, personal care products, books, and more. Within the store is the Sunflower Café, which features many vegetarian and vegan items, all of which are labeled on the menu. For lunch, try the hummus of the day or vegan falafel with soy yogurt. Dinner options include lemongrass stir fry and Thai peanut pasta. They also offer a children's menu with some vegan options. Open daily. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Zoes Kitchen

9 Du Rhu Dr., Mobile, AL 36608

(251) 344-9445

American. Zoes Kitchen offers fresh, original fare in a relaxed and casual setting. Enjoy salads, sandwiches, hot entrées, and more. Try the Hummus Salad Plate. Zoes is located in the Legacy Village shopping center at Spring Hill. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for lunch. Limited service, take-out, catering, VISA/MC, $.

Pelham

The Purple Onion

2296 Pelham Pkwy., Pelham, AL 35124

(205) 403-8600

American/Mediterranean. See description under Birmingham, AL.