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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Alabama

Birmingham

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

Golden India Restaurant

Summit Square Shopping Center, 279 W. Valley Ave., Birmingham, AL 35209

(205) 940-9030

Indian. Located three miles from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, this Indian restaurant offers about 20 vegetarian dishes. Open daily for dinner. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch. Full service, vegan options, $-$$.

•• 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, $-$$. 

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, $-$$. 

Standard Bistro

3 Mt. Laurel Ave., Birmingham, AL 35242 

(205) 995-0512

Bistro. Standard Bistro offers a relatively large amount of vegetarian options for this area, including several unique salads, asparagus dishes, and a mushroom, leek, and goat cheese tart. Chef Michael can also make vegetarian or vegan versions of many of the menu's other offerings upon request, and about 90 percent of the ingredients they use are organic. Patio seating is available when weather permits. The bar area at this establishment is open daily. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday. Full service, vegan options, beer/wine/alcohol, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$$. 

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, $-$$. 

Homewood

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, $$-$$$. 

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, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$. 

India Palace

420 Jordan Ln., NW, Huntsville, AL 35805 

(256) 536-3360

Indian. If you choose the economic buffet or items from the regular vegetarian menu, you can enjoy such mouthwatering dishes as eggplant purée with peas, basmati rice, lentil soup, broccoli, potato and tomato stew, and chutneys. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, buffet, $-$$. 

Jamo's Juice and Java

413 Jordan Ln., Huntsville, AL 35805 

(256) 837-7880

Bistro. Jamo's serves Middle Eastern and American fare with several vegetarian options. Try the Vegetarian B.L.T. and the soups, which are always vegetarian. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, take-out, VISA/MC/DISC. 

Rosie's Cantina

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

(256) 382-3232

6125 University Dr., NW, Huntsville, AL 35806 

(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, $-$$. 

Madison

Charm Thai Restaurant

7407 Highway 72 W., Ste. D, Madison, AL 35758 

(256) 489-6310

Thai. Charm Thai Restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine in a warm and relaxed environment. Try the 'Sweet and Sour Tofu' or request an item on the menu be prepared vegetarian. Some dishes contain fish sauce, but the friendly and accommodating staff will be happy to omit it. Reservations are recommended. Charm Thai is located next to Indigo Joe's in a small shopping mall on Highway 72. The restaurant is closed on weekdays between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, fresh juices, wine, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$. 

Pelham

Purple Onion

2296 Pelham Pkwy., Pelham, AL 35124 

(205) 403-8600

American/Mediterranean. See description under Birmingham, AL.