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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

North Carolina

Asheville

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Black Mountain and Hendersonville.)

Café Terra

65 Westgate Pkwy., , Asheville, NC 28806

(828) 253-7656

Natural foods deli. Many vegetarian options are available at this natural foods deli. Open daily. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, $.

•• Firestorm Café & Books

48 Commerce St., Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 255-8115

Vegetarian/natural foods/organic. Firestorm Café & Books is a worker-owned and self-managed community event space located in downtown Asheville. The café is 99.9% vegan; the only exception is dairy milk as an option for coffee. Try the Tempeh Gyro, TLT (Tempeh, Lettuce & Tomato), Maple BBQ Panini (maple-baked tofu), or the Soup of the Day. Desserts such as their "World-Conquering Cupcakes" are baked on-site. Firestorm strives to maximize their use of local, organic, and fair trade ingredients. Stop by for a bite to eat, a cup of Joe, and browse their unique book selection. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, smoothies, soymilk, espresso/cappuccino, special beverages, VISA/MC, $.

•• Laughing Seed Café

40 Wall St., , Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252-3445

Vegetarian/international. Enjoy a wide variety of international vegetarian dishes, including a Carribean Quesadilla, Mid-Eastern Pita Sandwich, Greek Salad, Kung Pao Tofu, tempeh fajitas, and more. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Open Monday and Wednesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for brunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, macrobiotic options, VISA/MC/DISC, $$.

•• Rosetta's Kitchen

116 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 232-0738

Vegetarian/soul food. Rosetta's Kitchen has a wholesome atmosphere that is the perfect setting for its homestyle cooking. More than just a restaurant, Rosetta's has become a local gathering spot, with friendly staff, local art, downtown bicycle deliveries, and dedicated, environmentally conscious policies. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner through late night. Open Sunday for brunch. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/AMEX, $-$$.

Black Mountain

•• The Green Light Café

205 W. State St., Black Mountain, NC 28711

(828) 669-2444

Vegetarian. The menu includes soups, wraps, a Thai vegetable crepe, a Tempeh Reuben, daily specials, and desserts baked fresh daily. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, beer, no credit cards, $$.

Cary

•• Chowpatty Cool Breeze

740 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511

(919) 463-9130

Vegetarian/Indian. For delicious and inexpensive vegetarian Indian food, you can't beat Chowpatty Cool Breeze. They serve various types of paratha (wheat dough filled with spices & potato, carrot, or cauliflower) and plenty of chaat (flat crisps served with potato, onions, chutney, etc). They offer delicious toasted sandwiches made with potato & chutney, as well as brightly-colored falooda (drinks made with syrup and ice cream). Save room for dessert! Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, smoothies, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Café

Ashworth Village, 115-G W. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511

(919) 319-6554

Café/bakery. Once in a Blue Moon features many vegetarian and vegan lunch options. Some to try include a spicy black bean burger, a grilled portabella mushroom sandwich, and even a vegetarian hot dog! Also a bakery, Blue Moon offers delicious cakes and pastries. They can make a vegan wedding cake, too. Open Monday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

•• Udupi Café

590 E. Chatham St., Cary, NC 27511

(919) 465-0898

Vegetarian/Indian. Udupi Café serves appetizers, soups, Dosai, curries, breads, and much more on its large lunch buffet and for dinner. Unique dishes include Shredded Coconut Uthappam and Chana Batura. Within walking distance of the Madstone Theatre, Udupi Café serves genuine Indian food at very reasonable prices. While you are dining, enjoy the abstract art on display. They are closed between lunch and dinner so please call ahead for hours. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, delivery, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Chapel Hill

•• Butternut Squash

133 W. Franklin St., Ste. E, University Square, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

(919) 929-8199

Vegetarian/natural foods. Butternut Squash is a contemporary all-vegetarian restaurant with made-from-scratch meals. Try the Thai-Style Seitan Skewers, Tempeh Hot Wings, Vegan Club, or Black Bean Hempnut Burger. They also offer some raw foods items, tapas, and Sunday brunch. Butternut Squash is located in the back of University Square. The restaurant is closed between lunch/brunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for brunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Margaret's Cantina

1129 Weaver Dairy Rd., , Chapel Hill, NC 27514

(919) 942-4745

Southwestern. Margaret's veggie options include Very Vegetarian Nachos, hummus, vegetarian black bean chili, and a tempeh pita sandwich. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DC, $-$$.

•• Sage Vegetarian Café

1129 Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

(919) 968-9266

Vegetarian/Middle Eastern. Sage Vegetarian Café offers a varied menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and wraps, entrées, and side dishes. Entrées include delicious black beans and rice, Persian Eggplant Paradise (made with split peas, saffron basmati rice, and fragrant spices), vegetable kabobs, and Persian pomegranate stew. Daily specials also available. Though there are many vegan options, eggs and cheese are used frequently. However, the friendly staff will happily answer questions about the ingredients. Outdoor seating is available. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, $$.

Saladelia Café

105 N. Columbia St., , Chapel Hill, NC 27514

(919) 932-1020

Middle Eastern. The vegetarian and vegan options at Saladelia include the Vegetarian Gyro, Hummus Pocket, Mediterranean Eggplant Melt, stuffed grape leaves, and falafel. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $.

Charlotte

Berrybrook Farm Natural Foods

1257 East Blvd., , Charlotte, NC 28203

(704) 334-6528

Natural foods. Homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches are made fresh daily at this natural food grocery and deli. The menu at Berrybrook changes daily and is primarily vegetarian. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Take-out, vegan options, fresh juices, VISA/MC/DISC, $.

Café Verde At Talley's Green Grocery

1408-C East Blvd., , Charlotte, NC 28203

(704) 334-9200

Natural foods. Café Verde offers ethnic, low-fat vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian dishes, daily soups, a wonderful salad bar, sandwiches, and desserts made without refined sugars. Also, enjoy the best selection of beers in Charlotte. Open daily. Cafeteria, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC, $.

India Palace

4515 E. Independence Blvd., , Charlotte, NC 28212

(704) 568-7176

Indian. Authentic Indian cuisine is offered, and great care is taken in the preparation and use of spices. Nine vegetable entrées are featured on this menu. Open daily for dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Thai Cuisine Restaurant

3108 E. Independence Blvd., , Charlotte, NC 28025

(704) 532-7511

Thai. Tofu can be substituted for the meat in any dish to create delicious vegetarian options. There also are some vegetarian appetizers, salads, and soups. No MSG or salt is used in the preparation of food. Open daily. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

Thai Taste

324 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203

(704) 332-0001

Thai. You can choose to have many dishes on Thai Taste's menu, such as curries, stir-fries, and noodle dishes, made vegetarian, with or without eggs. Try the Pud Met Ma Muang (cashew nut) or the Khing Sod (fresh ginger) stir-fry, the Thai Salad with vegetables and fried tofu, or one of several vegetarian appetizers. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday and Sunday for dinner only. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Udipi Pure Vegetarian Cuisine

9510 University City Blvd. #101, Charlotte, NC 28213

(704) 549-0600

Vegetarian/Indian. Udipi Pure Vegetarian Cuisine offers an extensive menu of dosa, uthappam, breads, curries, and rice specialties. In addition to their South Indian cuisine, they have a selection of Indo-Chinese items. Udipi is near the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Please note that they are closed between lunch and dinner so call ahead to get exact hours. Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, beer/wine, special drinks, VISA/MC, $$.

•• Woodlands Pure Vegetarian Indian Cuisine

7128 Albemarle Rd., Ste. A, Charlotte, NC 28227

(704) 569-9193

Vegetarian/Indian. To find out why one VRG member called Woodlands "the best Indian restaurant in Charlotte," make sure to include a stop at this South Indian all-vegetarian restaurant. They offer an extensive menu that includes appetizers, dosas, uthappam (Indian-style pancakes), pullavs (rice specialties), curries, and breads. On weekends, stop in for their popular lunch buffet. Woodlands 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, beer/wine, special beverages, VISA/MC, $$.

Durham

Anotherthyme

109 N. Gregson St., , Durham, NC 27701

(919) 682-5225

Seasonal. Enjoy gourmet seasonal cuisine at Anotherthyme with pasta, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian dishes. No red meat is served. Open daily. Full service, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$-$$$.

Saladelia Café

4201 University Dr., , Durham, NC 27707

(919) 489-5776

Middle Eastern. See description under Chapel Hill, NC.

Greensboro

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Winston-Salem.)

•• Boba House

332 Tate St, Greensboro, NC 27403

(336) 379-7444

Vegetarian/Asian. An all-vegetarian restaurant and teahouse, Boba House offers a wide variety of fake meat dishes including Hawaiian Chicken, Sauteéd Cuttlefish, Calamari Salad, Chef's Tuna, and Black Pepper Steak. They also offer soups, salads, a children's menu, and vegan desserts. All menu options are clearly marked as "can be made vegan". Open Monday through Saturday for two meals. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, boba tea, hot tea, specialty drinks, $$.

Hendersonville

•• Blue Mountain Café

715 Old Spartanburg Hwy., Hendersonville, NC 28792

(828) 693-0505

Natural foods café. Located in the Hendersonville Co-op, this café serves sandwiches like the Café Veggie Burger, Tempeh Reuben, Veggie Roll-Up, and Herb Baked Tofu Sandwich. It also offers entrées, such as the Hummus Plate, Happy Buddha Plate, and seasonal platters. The Blue Mountain Café Organic Juice Bar offers a number of organic fruit and vegetable juices, allowing you to create your own blend, as well as tasty smoothies and tonics. Plus, their Grab n' Go case is stocked daily with sandwiches, salads, desserts, soups, and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Deli-style, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, $-$$.

Morrisville

Neomonde Bakery & Deli

10235 Chapel Hill Rd., Morrisville, NC 27560

(919) 469-8009

Middle Eastern. Neomonde serves Middle Eastern and American cuisine, including stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, spinach pie, chickpea salad, hummus, and baba ghanouj. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA, $.

•• Tower Restaurant

144 Morrisville Sq. Way, Morrisville, NC 27560

(919) 465-2326

Vegetarian/Indian. The menu includes samosas, pakoras, puri, vadai, dosais, utthappams, masala dosas, curries, rice dishes, desserts for kids, and more. Lunch is a buffet, while dinner is served é la carte. This restaurant is located near the Morrisville Fire Station. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $-$$.

Raleigh

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Morrisville.)

Irregardless Café

901 W. Morgan St., , Raleigh, NC 27603

(919) 833-8898

Natural foods. Irregardless Café presents a new menu each night featuring vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian entrées. Fresh baked breads, cookies, and desserts are also available in this totally non-smoking environment. Open Monday through Saturday. Open Sunday for brunch only. Full service, vegan options, espresso/cappuccino, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $-$$.

Neomonde Bakery & Deli

3817 Beryl Rd., Raleigh, NC 27607

(919) 828-1628

Middle Eastern. See description under Morrisville, NC.

Smithfield

•• Edenés Vegetarian Dining & Catering Services

709 S. 3rd St., Smithfield, NC 27577

(919) 938-3880

Vegetarian/international. Eden's Vegetarian is a family-run restaurant, located in the Dupree House, that serves a variety of international dishes in vegetarian form. The menu changes often, as they use local and seasonal foods as much as possible. Vegan items are noted on the menu as well as items that can be made vegan upon request. Reservations are required for 3 to 5 course meals or for 4 or more people. Tea parties are available by appointment. The restaurant is closed on weekdays between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open Tuesday through Thursday for lunch and dinner. Open Friday for lunch. Open Sunday for brunch and dinner. Closed Saturday and Monday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, non-alcoholic wine, VISA/MC, $$.

Sylva

Lulu's Café

612 W. Main St., Sylva, NC 28779

(828) 586-8989

Café. Lulu's caries a variety of ethnic foods. The menu includes portobella and spinach pesto pitas, marinated tofu with peanut sauce (vegan), and a black turtle beans and saffron rice. A children's menu is available. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, informal atmosphere, take-out, non-alcoholic beer, beer/wine, VISA/MC, $$.

Wilmington

Lovey's Natural Foods & Café

1319 Military Cutoff Rd., Ste. H, Wilmington, NC 28405

(910) 509-0331

Natural foods store/café. Lovey's Natural Foods & Café is very veg-friendly. Lunch items include Boca Burgers, Sunshine Burgers, Tofu Melts, and Bean Burritos. They have a salad bar with food sold by the pound and a few choices of soup each day. You can also buy vegetarian and vegan items in the store as well. Lovey's is located in the Landfall Shopping Center. Open daily for lunch. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, soymilk, smoothies, fresh juices, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Winston-Salem

Nawab Indian Cuisine

129 S. Stratford Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104

(336) 725-3949

Indian. Nawab features a large selection of vegetarian and vegan appetizers and entrées. Sample vegetable patia (vegetables cooked with sweet and sour mangos and a touch of ginger), palak paneer (spinach with or without Indian cheese), mushroom broccoli krahi (sautéed with vegetables, garlic, and herbs), Bombay potatoes, eggplant bharta (baked, then mashed and sautéed with garlic, onions, and tomatoes), and much more. Children's portions are often available for half the price of a regular entrée. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, reservations recommended, beer/wine/alcohol, non-alcoholic beer, special drinks, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.