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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Alaska

Anchorage

Aladdin's

4240 Old Seward Hwy., Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 561-2373

Mediterranean. About 35 percent of the dishes served at Aladdin's each night are vegetarian, which is no surprise since every dish that is or can be made vegetarian is clearly marked. These includes appetizers like Dolma (stuffed grape vine leaves with rice and herbs) and Spanakopita (layers of spinach and feta cheese baked in filo dough); dips like Hummus and Tsatsiki (yogurt, cucumber, and garlic); and salads like Casbah-Style (fire-roasted bell peppers and eggplant tossed with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil) and Fattush (Lebanese-style salad with fried pita and a mint-lemon dressing). For entrées, consider unique dishes like the North African-inspired Couscous Maghrebin, the Vegetables and Fruit Curry, or the Vegetarian Mousaka (eggplant, mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, and tofu baked with bechamel sauce). Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday. Full service, vegan options, special drinks, beer/wine, catering, $$-$$$.

Bear Tooth Theatrepub and Grill

1230 W. 27th, Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 276-4200

American. Bear Tooth Theatrepub offers an array of vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian pizzas; burritos; salads; appetizers; smoothies; and more in their full service restaurant, or they can deliver the tasty meals to a second-run movie theater nearby. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, counter service, delivery, take-out, reservations not taken, non-smoking, non-alcoholic beverages, smoothies, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.

Middleway Café

1200 West Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 272-6433

Natural foods. This mostly vegetarian establishment is home to a juice bar and offers wraps, tofu scrambles, organic granola, grain-and-soy burgers, burritos, and more. Daily vegan specials are available. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso, $$.

Organic Oasis Restaurant & Juice Bar

2610 Spenard Rd., Ste. B, Anchorage, AK 99503

(907) 277-7882

Organic/natural foods/juice bar. Organic Oasis Restaurant & Juice Bar offers many vegetarian and vegan items. Try the Tofu Burger, Hula Burger (made of organic multi-grain Tempeh), Vegan Greek Pizza, or the Moroccan Hummus Wrap. Organic Oasis sometimes teaches health classes. Enjoy live music or art films most evenings as well. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for lunch and early dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, beer/wine, special beverages, VISA/MC, $$.

The Marx Brothers Café

627 W. 3rd Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501

(907) 278-2133

Regional. Marx Brothers offers some vegetarian options, such as the Grilled Vegetables & Lentils, and is also willing to prepare special meals for vegetarians. Herbs, spices, lettuce, and edible flowers are grown on the premises in the summer. Open daily for dinner in the summer. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner in the winter. Closed Sunday in winter. Full service, wine/beer, catering, VISA/MC, $$$.

Fairbanks

Gambardella's Pasta Bella

706 2nd Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701

(907) 456-3417

Italian. The Gambardellas pride themselves on generations of fabulous Italian food. Vegetarian entrées are conveniently indicated on the menu. Examples include Pasta Marinara, Fettuccini Alfredo, Eggplant Parmesan, Pesto Pasta, and gourmet pizza. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open on Sundays in the summer. Full service, espresso/cappuccino, wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Homer

Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery and Café

1316 Ocean Dr., Homer, AK 99603

(907) 235-7571

Natural foods deli. The Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery and Café offers diners exclusively organic foods in a quaint, cozy, informal atmosphere. The only full-line bakery and restaurant in Homer, The Express boasts everything from the owners' own line of cocoa to a "Pizzaz" of the day (pizza on sourdough), as well as several different cakes, cookies, and breads. Open daily for three meals. Full service, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, smoothies, VISA/MC, $$-$$$.

Juneau

Fiddlehead Restaurant & Bakery

429 W. Willoughby Ave., Juneau, AK 99801

(907) 586-3150

Natural foods. Fiddlehead offers full gourmet natural foods. The menu include salads, omelets, sandwiches, soups, bean burgers, and entrées. The restaurant also displays local artwork, and there is live piano music evenings with a weekend jazz band. The upstairs dining room offers a view of Mt. Juneau. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, non-smoking, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Petersburg

Helse Restaurant

17 Sing Lee Alley, Petersburg, AK 99833

(907) 772-3444

Natural foods. Helse's reputation is based on its soup and homemade bread specials, offered every day. Helse offers three vegetarian sandwiches (two of which are vegan), a tofu salad, and a garden salad. A natural foods store is located adjacent to the restaurant. Open daily for breakfast through early dinner. Full service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, $$.