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

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

Iowa

Ames

India Palace

120 Hayward Ave., Ames, IA 50014

(515) 292-1710

Indian. India Palace offers vegetarian options and an inexpensive lunch buffet. This restaurant is located near Iowa State University. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Davenport

·Downtown Central Perk

226 W. 3rd St., Davenport, IA 52801

(563) 324-9560

Vegetarian/café/coffeehouse/juice bar. Downtown Central Perk is an affordable vegetarian restaurant and coffeehouse wrapped into one. They offer made-to-order juices like Strawberry Kiwi Apple Juice. The menu includes a variety of breakfast and sandwich selections, as well as wraps, salads, and flatbread pizzas that can be ordered with vegan cheese and soy sausage. Downtown Central Perk serves direct trade specialty coffee and tea, including unique options such as the Raspberry Cheesecake Latte and Tropical Breeze Mocha. This spacious café is located on the street level of the Central Office Building, built in 1906, and only a few blocks from the Mississippi River. Open Monday through Friday for three meals. Open Saturday for three meals through late night. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, VISA/MC, $.

Greatest Grains

1600 N. Harrison St., Davenport, IA 52803

(563) 323-7521

Natural foods store/deli/bakery. Greatest Grains is a natural foods store with a bakery and dine-in deli. Selections may vary from day-to-day but usually include Vegetarian Pizza, Tofu & Brown Rice, Spinach Potato Pie, Vegetarian Lasagna, along with salads, soups, side dishes, and desserts. The in-house bakery features fresh, made-from-scratch bread daily. The store offers a large variety of natural product groceries, organic produce, bulk herbs, grains, personal care items, and specialty gifts. Greatest Grains, located in the Quad Cities, also holds educational classes. Open daily. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Des Moines

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Urbandale.)

A Taste of Thailand

215 E. Walnut St., Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 282-0044

Thai. The authentic Thai cuisine includes an extensive vegetarian menu section. Vegetable soups, spring rolls, Thai salad, and various vegetarian entrées make up the selection at this restaurant. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC, $.

A D“ng Restaurant

1511 High St., Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 284-5632

Vietnamese. This restaurant features a separate vegetarian menu that includes appetizers, vegetarian egg and spring rolls, soups, noodles, and rice dishes. Interesting offerings include the Bo Kho Chay (tofu and vegetable stew over noodles), Com Tau Hu Xao Hanh (Mongolian tofu over rice), Com Tau Hu Don Chay (stuffed tofu with a sweet and sour topping), and the Banh Xeo Chay (tofu and vegetables in Vietnamese pancakes). Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$$.

Campbell's Nutrition

4040 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311

(515) 277-6351

Natural foods store/deli. Campbell's features a variety of vegetarian sandwiches. They are located in the Uptown Shopping Center. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Deli-style, vegan options, take-out, $.

India Star

5514 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 279-2118

Indian. India Star offers many vegetarian meals; vegan items are noted on the menu. Their daily lunch buffet is a great value and includes four vegetarian dishes. Enjoy dinner entrées such as Mushroom Mattar, Channa Masala, and Alu Palak. India Star is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch buffet and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, special beverages, beer/wine, VISA/MC, $$.

·Ritual Café

1301 Locust St., Ste. D, Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 288-4872

Vegetarian/coffeehouse/café. Ritual Café is an all-vegetarian eatery and coffeehouse as well as a venue for local artists. Enjoy sandwiches, paninis, salads, breakfast items, or just a cup of Joe in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Live music is regularly featured. Ritual Café is in downtown Des Moines between Locust and Grand Avenues. Open Monday through Thursday for three meals. Open Friday and Saturday for three meals through late night. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, smoothies, fresh juices, special beverages, beer/wine, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

Fairfield

India Café

50 W. Burlington Ave., Fairfield, IA 52556

(641) 472-1792

Indian. The menu at India Café includes vegetarian entrées, including their special Vegetarian Thali. They are closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for exact hours. Reservations are required. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, special beverages, VISA/MC/DISC, $$.

Iowa City

·Fair Grounds Coffeehouse

345 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 338-2024

Vegetarian/coffeehouse/bakery/café. Fair Grounds Coffeehouse can make any of their menu selections vegan. Their breakfast menu is extensive with delicious items such as Virgin Bananas Foster (French toast) and Apple Sage (waffles). Choose from a variety of vegan paninis on their lunch menu. They feature an all-vegan bakery with exotic cake flavors such as Persian Fantasy Red Velvet Rosewater Cake. Fair Grounds is located in the Court Street Transportation Center in downtown Iowa City. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, smoothies, soymilk, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

India Café

227 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 354-2775

Indian. See description under Fairfield, IA.

·Masala Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

9 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 338-6199

Vegetarian/Indian. Masala Indian Vegetarian Cuisine is an all-vegetarian and very vegan-friendly restaurant in downtown Iowa City. Their extensive menu of authentic Indian cuisine notes which items are vegan. Masala is quite popular, often winning awards (even against non-vegetarian restaurants!). Prices are good, food is fresh, and service is friendly. Don't miss their daily lunch buffet. The restaurant is located near the University of Iowa. Masala is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, wine/beer, non-alcoholic beer, special beverages, VISA/MC, $$.

··Trumpet Blossom Café

310 E. Prentiss St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 248-0077

Vegan/natural foods. Trumpet Blossom Café offers a warm and comfortable atmosphere and an all-vegan menu. Try dinner plates like Cumin Tempeh with Polenta and Cilantro Lime Sauce or the Chipotle Quesadilla served with mashed black beans. Happy Hour is between lunch and dinner. Live music and other events are sometimes scheduled. Outdoor seating is available. Trumpet Blossom is located next door to 30th Century Bicycle. Reservations are accepted. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Urbandale

Campbell's Nutrition

2749 100th St., Urbandale, IA 50322

(515) 331-1390

Natural foods store/deli. Campbell's in Urbandale is located in the Deerfield Crossing Center. See description under Des Moines, IA.

West Des Moines

·Fresh Café & Market

1721 25th St., Ste. 110, West Des Moines, IA 50266

(515) 440-4700

Vegetarian/organic/juice bar. Fresh Café & Market is all-vegetarian and very vegan-friendly. Their menu varies but consists of soups, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and raw foods. Any item can be made vegan. For dessert, try the vegan Black Bean Brownie. Wheatgrass shots are quite popular here. Fresh Café & Market is closed on weekdays between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday for brunch. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.