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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

New Jersey

Asbury Park

Sister Sue's Roti

311 Bond St., Asbury Park, NJ 07712  (732) 502-8383

Caribbean. Described as "Authentic Trinidadian Cuisine," Sister Sue's features options for vegetarians and vegans including the Vegan Macaroni Pie, Soy Roti, and Seitan Stew. Full service vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/DISC, $-$$.

Twisted Tree Café

609 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712

(732) 775-2633

Coffeehouse/café. If you're near the New Jersey shore, then you must pay a visit to the Twisted Tree Café! Menu items include the Tofu Meatball Wrap, Soy Chicken Salad Sandwich, and Focaccia Melt. They have homemade baked goods such as vegan cookies, brownies, and muffins; enjoy your dessert with a cup of coffee that includes your choice of soy, rice, almond, oat, hazelnut, or hemp milk. The Twisted Tree Café strongly supports the arts in their community. They feature the works of local photographers and artists on their walls and local musicians play live music on weekends. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner through late night. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, smoothies, soymilk, espresso, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Atlantic City

Little Saigon

2801 Arctic Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

(609) 347-9119

Vietnamese. Little Saigon is a bright spot in Atlantic City and an oasis for vegetarians and vegans. Their menu has a section of 'Vegetarian Specialties' which includes the highly-recommended Asian Eggplant with Tofu. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$-$$$.

Belmar

•• Kaya's Kitchen

817 Belmar Plaza, , Belmar, NJ 07719

(732) 280-1141

Vegetarian/international. This mostly vegan restaurant features an international menu with choices like French onion soup, Oriental sesame salad, tacos, and falafels. If you're in the mood for some good ol' American food, try the vegetarian meatloaf with mashed potatoes and vegan gravy. There are also blackboard specials every night that include vegan desserts. Sunday breakfast is offered April through October. Check out their "All-You-Can-Eat" Sunday Vegan Dinner Buffet offered year-round. Please note that Kaya's is closed between lunch and dinner so call ahead for hours. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner buffet. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

Brick

Sentosa Restaurant

2063 E. Rte. 88, Brick, NJ 08724

(732) 892-9595

Chinese. This restaurant offers numerous vegetarian offerings, including Malaysian entrées served with brown rice and dishes made with soy protein "meats" or tofu. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, non-smoking, VISA/MC/DISC, $-$$.

Cape May

  (For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Stone Harbor and Wildwood.)

Fruit Of The Balloon

309 Beach Dr., Cape May, NJ 08204

(609) 898-2211

Café. Fruit of the Balloon offers vegetarian options along with their regular fare. Seasonal hours. Full service, take-out, smoothies, fresh juices, $-$$.

Chester

The Health Shoppe

Chester Spring Shopping Center, Rte. 206, Chester, NJ 07930

(908) 879-7555

Deli. Enjoy a nice variety of sandwiches, some hot entrées, and a salad bar at the Health Shoppe. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, fresh juices, VISA/MC/DISC, $.

Delran

Szechuan King

3025 Rt. 130 S., , Delran, NJ 08075

(609) 764-0096

Chinese. At Szechuan King, you can select from several items in the vegetarian section of the menu. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $-$$.

Denville

Café Metro

60 Diamond Spring Rd., Denville, NJ 07834

(973) 625-1055

Café. Café Metro offers a diverse menu with vegetarian and vegan options, including stir-fries, grilled and steamed vegetables, soups, and salads in a completely smoke-free environment. Reservations are recommended. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Full service, vegan options, catering, take-out, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, smoothies, BYOB, outdoor seating, VISA/MC/AMEX/DC, $$.

•• Veggie Heaven

57 Bloomfield Ave., Denville, NJ 07834

(973) 586-7800

Vegan/Asian. Veggie Heaven offers an extensive vegan menu including soups, noodle dishes, and mockmeats. Desserts include Vanilla Soy Cheesecake, Tofu Ice Cream (vanilla almond bark, wild berry, chocolate, or butter pecan), and the extremely popular Green Tea Cake. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, take-out, delivery, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, special drinks, BYOB, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

East Brunswick

Bombay Gardens

1020 Rt. 18, , East Brunswick, NJ 08816

(908) 613-9500

Indian. Bombay Gardens offers a variety of vegetarian Indian dishes, including many South Indian dishes. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, Take-out, $$.

East Rutherford

Park and Orchard Restaurant

240 Hackensack St., , East Rutherford, NJ 07073

(201) 939-9292

Eclectic. Park and Orchard was voted "Best Restaurant in Northern New Jersey" by readers of "New Jersey Magazine." There's an award-winning wine list and an excellent eclectic menu. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday for dinner only. Open for Sunday late lunch and dinner. Full service, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$$.

Edgewater

Whole Foods Market

905 River Rd., Edgewater, NJ 07020

(201) 941-4000

Natural foods store/deli. A wide variety of vegetarian and vegan foods are offered in the deli and on the salad bar. Open daily. Cafeteria, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices,, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Edison

•• Saravanaa Bhavan

149 Wood Ave., Edison, NJ 08820

(732) 767-0033

Vegetarian/Indian. located in the Oak Wood Plaza. Please note that Saravanaa Bhavan is closed between lunch and dinner on weekdays so call ahead for hours. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Elizabeth

Jerusalem Restaurant

150 Elmora Ave., , Elizabeth, NJ 07202

(908) 289-0291

Kosher/natural foods. Enjoy kosher Middle Eastern vegetarian food, as well as pizza, salads, and more. Open Sunday through Thursday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday for lunch only. Closed Saturday. Limited service, vegan options, catering, take-out, $.

Hainesport

Hainesport Health Haven

Rt. 38 and Lumberton Rd., , Hainesport, NJ 08036

(609) 267-7744

Lunch bar. Enjoy the pleasant atmosphere in this fully stocked natural foods store. The lunch bar is very willing to accommodate special diets, and there are many vegetarian and vegan options. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch. Closed Sunday. Limited service, take-out, VISA/MC, $.

Hamilton

•• Vasanta Bhavan

3800 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ 08619

(609) 586-7899

Vegetarian/Indian. The slogan for this Indian establishment is "the best dosas and rotis under one roof." The menu includes soups, uthappam, kababs, curries, puttus, masala dishes, pizzas, combination plates, and desserts. "Healthy Alternative" and children's menus are available. Their website is especially helpful, offering links to descriptions and suggested accompaniments for every dish. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, special drinks, take-out, catering, $-$$.

Hillsborough

Culinary Creations

434 Rte. 206 S., Hillsborough, NJ 08876

(908) 281-3894

Café. Enjoy a friendly and casual atmosphere while dining on homemade lentil burgers, black bean burgers, fresh grilled vegetable sandwiches, and daily meatless specials and soups prepared by graduates of the Culinary Institute of America. Open Monday through Friday for three meals. Open Saturday and Sunday for breakfast and lunch. Limited service, vegan options, catering, take-out, special drinks, espresso/cappuccino, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Hoboken

Hoboken Farm Boy

127 Washington St., , Hoboken, NJ 07030

(201) 656-0581

Primarily vegetarian deli. Farm Boy offers deli-style service with an extensive vegetarian menu , including sandwiches, burgers, baked tofu, soups, black bean chili, plus more. Seating is very limited. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Deli-style, fresh juices, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Iselin

•• Dimple's Bombay Talk

1358 Oak Tree Rd., Iselin, NJ 08830

(732) 283-0066

Vegetarian/Indian. Located on a street of Indian businesses, Dimple's Bombay Talk has South Indian, Indian-Chinese, and Indian-Thai fast food -- and it's all vegetarian! Their menu also includes veggie burgers & hot dogs and their special Jungle Jumbo Sandwich, a ten-inch round Italian loaf that contains shredded lettuce, onion, red cabbage, carrot and cucumber dressed with coriander and peanut chutney. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, smoothies, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Dimple's Khasiyat

77 Middlesex Ave., Iselin, NJ 08830

(732) 404-0331

Vegetarian/Indian. Dimpleés Khasiyat is a fast food vegetarian restaurant that mixes the flavor and spices of India with home-style cooking techniques. The result is unique fusion dishes like Chopsuey Dosa, Achari Paneer Falafel, and Paneer Chilly Milly Dosa. They also offer an extensive selection of Stuffed Paratha. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, special beverages, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Udupi Authentic Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

1380 Oak Tree Rd., , Iselin, NJ 08830

(908) 283-0343

Vegetarian/Indian. Udupi offers several vegetarian Indian specialties. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, take-out, VISA/MC/DISC, $-$$.

Lambertville

Caffe Galleria

18 S. Main St., Lambertville, NJ 08530

(609) 397-2400

Mediterranean/Pizza. Caffe Galleria's tag line is "Where the unapologetic carnivore and the dedicated vegan dine together... happily." Many meals have the option of choosing seitan or tofu instead of meat, and a great deal more to begin with are vegetarian or vegan. The dining room features art by local artists and outdoor seating is available in the summer. Delivery is free. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/DISC, $$-$$$.

Lawrenceville

Palace of Asia

540 Lawrence Square Blvd South, , Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

(609) 689-1500

Indian. Many vegetarian specialties, including samosas, pakoras, masalas, and vegetable biryani, are featured at Palace of Asia. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.

Little Silver

•• Healthfair

625 Branch Ave., , Little Silver, NJ 07739

(732) 747-3140

Vegetarian. Located in a natural foods store, Healthfair offers an organic salad bar, macrobiotic lunches, vegetarian sandwiches, hot foods, organic breads, fresh juices, vegan desserts, and more. Open Monday through Friday for three meals. Open Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Open Sunday for brunch only. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, $$.

Livingston

Jerusalem Restaurant

99-101 W. Mt. Pleasant Ave., , Livingston, NJ 07016

(793) 533-1424

Kosher/natural foods. See description under Elizabeth, NJ.

Marlton

Mexican Food Factory

601 W. Rte. 70, Marlton, NJ 08053

(856) 983-9222

Mexican. Mexican food in a casual atmosphere. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$$.

Metuchen

Radhana's Thai Kitchen

10 Pearl St., , Metuchen, NJ 08840

(908) 548-9747

Thai. A separate vegetarian menu includes appetizers, soups, and entrées for lunch and dinner. Try the Thai Tempura, Tofu Coconut Milk Soup, Gluten Curry, or one of several other vegetarian dishes. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Montclair

•• Veggie Heaven

631 Valley Rd., Montclair, NJ 07043

(973) 783-1088

Vegan/Asian. See description under Denville, NJ.

Whole Foods Market

701 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042

(973) 746-5110

Natural foods store/deli. See description under Edgewater, NJ.

Morristown

•• Chand Palace

79 Washington St. (Rt. 24W), , Morristown, NJ 07960

(201) 539-7433

Vegetarian/Indian. Chand Palace offers a wide variety of vegetarian Indian food, including baked breads, vegetable curries, rice specialties, and more. The restaurant does not use eggs in its dishes. Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, $$.

The Dietworks

41 Morris St., , Morristown, NJ 07960

(201) 538-0328

Ethnic foods. Look for menu items marked with a "V" for vegetarian. Try the Ratatouille Casserole, Black Bean Moussaka, Mushroom Lasagna Polonaise, or vegetable calzones. There are also vegetarian specials that change daily. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, delivery, catering, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $-$$.

The Health Shoppe

66 Morris St., , Morristown, NJ 07960

(201) 538-9131

Deli. See description under Chester, NJ.

New Brunswick

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see East Brunswick, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Metuchen, and Piscataway.)

The Round Grill

1 Penn Plaza (Rte. 7), New Brunswick, NJ 08901

(732) 828-3337

Mongolian. Located in Ferren Mall, this restaurant allows you to select fresh, raw vegetables from the food bar, coat them with a variety of sauces, and hand them to a chef who will stir-fry them on a large, flat grill. The set menu also has some vegetarian entrées. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner only. Full service, take-out, reservations recommended, suitable for business entertainment, non-smoking, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Newark

•• Sri Ganesh's Dosa House

809 Newark Ave., Newark, NJ 07306

(201) 222-3883

Vegetarian/Indian. There is so much to choose from at Sri Ganesh's Dosa House. With over 80 varieties of Dosa and Uttapams, there is one to please every palate. Dishes are inexpensive and delicious. Cash only. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, $.

Oakhurst

Changmao Sakura

214 Roosevelt Ave., , Oakhurst, NJ 07755

(908) 517-8889

Kosher/Asian. This kosher restaurant offers both Chinese and Japanese cuisine, including several vegetarian dishes. Enjoy Broccoli with Garlic Sauce, Tofu in Brown Sauce, String Beans with Garlic Sauce, and Vegetarian Lo Mein. Open Sunday through Thursday for dinner. Open Saturday one and a half hours after sunset. Closed Friday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, $$-$$$.

Ocean City

Bashful Banana Bakery & Café

944 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226

(609) 398-9677

Café/bakery. Bashful Banana is a very veg-friendly café and bakery, offering non-dairy and vegan options. Their signature item is the Banana Whip, their version of a frozen custard, made only with bananas! Enjoy outdoor dining within walking distance of the beach. Bashful Banana is located on the OC Boardwalk between 9th and 10th Sts. To find them, turn away from the ocean and onto Ocean Colony Walk, a private boardwalk; they are across from The Sindia. Open daily for three meals from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open weekends in April, May, September and October. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Bridges Restaurant

1200 Pleasure Rd., Ocean City, NJ 08226

(609) 398-5858

American. Dine along the waterfront of the Great Egg Harbor Bay at Bridges, a mainstream American restaurant that offers an array of vegetarian, vegan, and macrobiotic choices such as grilled tempeh or tofu, organic beans, rice and vegetables, and organic Bancha Twig tea. Open daily for three meals from May through September. Full service, take-out, catering, fresh juices, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino, non-alcoholic wine/beer, $$.

Ocean Grove

The Savory Café and Coffee Bar

48 Main Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ 07756

(732) 775-8500

American. Located near the Jersey Shore, this restaurant offers soups, salads, a hummus platter, a veggie delight sandwich, a veggie BLT, a veggie burger, veggie meatloaf, and a spinach and tofu casserole. Look for the "Vegan/Vegetarian Selections" area on the menu. Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday for lunch. Open Saturday and Sunday for three meals. Closed Wednesday. Full service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

Parsippany

•• Chand Palace

257 Littleton Rd., , Parsippany, NJ 07054

(973) 334-5444

Vegetarian/Indian. See descripton under Morristown, NJ.

•• Mysore Woodlands

296 Rt. 46 W., Parsippany, NJ 07054

(973) 227-8191

Vegetarian/Indian. Mysore Woodlands serves North and South Indian cuisines, including soups, dosais, curries, and Indian breads. Enjoy their terrific lunch buffet! Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Piscataway

•• Malabar House

1665 Stelton Rd., , Piscataway, NJ 08854

(732) 819-0400

Vegetarian/Indian. Enjoy authentic southern Indian cuisine, including Masala Dosas (crepes filled with spicy potatoes & onions), Uttapam (thick pancakes with vegetables on top), curry dishes, and Indian breads. An all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is available daily. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Sukh Sagar

1347 Stelton Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854

(732) 777-9595

Vegetarian/Indian. Sukh Sagar offers authentic Indian cuisine that is vegetarian. Their extensive and inexpensive menu includes North and South Indian dishes along with Indo-Chinese items. Don't miss their daily lunch buffet. Stop in for Chaat Night on Wednesday evenings and Dosa Night on Friday evenings. Sukh Sagar 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, catering, special beverages, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Plainsboro

Lee's Castle I

660 Plainsboro Rd., , Plainsboro, NJ 08536

(609) 799-1008

Chinese. Choose from the "Happy Vegetarian Paradise" menu, which includes a large selection of vegetarian soups, appetizers, and entrées for your dining pleasure. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, catering, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Red Bank

•• Down To Earth

7 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07740

(732) 747-4542

Vegan. Down to Earth does exactly as the name would suggest and gets back to the natural foods that earth offers. It is strongly committed to creating a better you and environment through the use of organic and animal-free foods, some of which include hummus with garlic crackers, bean burritos, and baked tofu. Open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sundays for dinner only. Closed Tuesday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, smoothies, soymilk, special drinks, reservations not accepted, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

The Eurasian Eatery

110 Monmouth St., , Red Bank, NJ 07701

(732) 741-7071

European/Asian. There's an extensive vegetarian menu offered, along with eclectic European and Asian offerings. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner only. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, BYOB, take-out, AMEX, $$.

Runnemede

Li's Peking Chinese Restaurant

Runnemede Plaza, 835 E. Clements Bridge Rd., Runnemede, NJ 08078

(609) 939-4440

Chinese. Li's has an excellent vegetarian menu with appetizers, many soups, and entrées featuring vegetable, tofu, and mock meat. Foods are low in salt and prepared without MSG. Open daily. Full service, vegan options, BYOB, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Scotch Plains

•• Udupi Authentic Indian Vegetarian Cuisine

2540 Rte. 22E, , Scotch Plains, NJ 07076

(908) 233-5511

Vegetarian/Indian. See description under Iselin, NJ.

Stone Harbor

Green Cuisine

302 96th St., , Stone Harbor, NJ 08247

(609) 368-1616

Natural foods. This restaurant has been serving delicious healthy food for more than 20 years. Menu selections include gourmet sandwiches, exotic salads, and beautiful fresh fruit selections. Vegetarian items, such as hummus pita, tabbouleh salad, and veggie burgers, are very popular. No credit cards. Open daily for lunch and dinner May through September. Full service, fresh juice, BYOB, take-out, $$.

Teaneck

Chopstix

172 W. Englewood Ave., , Teaneck, NJ 07666

(201) 833-0200

Chinese. This kosher Chinese restaurant offers take-out only. Vegetarian dishes include 10 different soups, vegetable egg rolls, scallion pancakes, dumplings, noodle and rice dishes, and many tofu dishes. Open Sunday through Thursday for lunch and dinner. Closed Friday and Saturday. Take-out, catering, fresh juices, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.

•• Veggie Heaven

473 Cedar Ln., Teaneck, NJ 07666

(201) 836-0887

Vegan/Asian. See description under Denville, NJ.

Toms River

Java Joint Coffee Bar and Bistro

1 Washington St., Toms River, NJ 07853

(732) 240-2123

Coffeehouse/café. This quaint café has a small vegetarian menu. Try the cucumber wrap; it's a tortilla filled with fresh veggies including alfalfa sprouts, greens, and cucumbers. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals through late night. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, $$.

Natural Foods Vegetarian Café

675 Batchelor St., Toms River, NJ 08753

(732) 240-0024

Natural foods. Located inside a natural foods store, this mostly vegetarian café features many unique dishes like a Vegan German Platter, Veggie Loaf Platter, and Tempeh and Chickpea Curry. Open Monday through Friday for lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.