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

Symbol Key:

•• Vegan or vegetarian restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Washington DC

Washington

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Bethesda, Capitol Heights, College Park, Gaithersburg, Greenbelt, Langley Park, Rockville, Silver Spring, Spencerville, Takoma Park, and Wheaton in Maryland, and Arlington, Falls Church, Herndon, Manassas, McLean, Reston, South Arlington, Springfield, and Vienna in Virgina.)

Aditi Indian Cuisine

3299 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20007-3632

(202) 625-6825

Indian. Sample vegetarian appetizers, soup, entrées, breads, and desserts. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Open Monday for dinner only. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

•• Amma Vegetarian Kitchen

3291 M St., NW, Georgetown, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 625-6625

Vegetarian/Indian. Small restaurant with a number of South Indian specialties, such as dosa (a thin rice crepe served with sambar and coconut chutney), puri bhaji (fried breads filled with potato), and rasam (a spicy soup). Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $.

•• Amsterdam Falafelshop

2425 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 234-1969

Vegetarian/Middle Eastern. Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, Amsterdam Falafelshop offers hot and delicious falafels almost any hour of the day or night. The falafels come in whole wheat or white pitas and you get to top them yourself. Garnishes include an array of sauces, salads, and pickles. You also don't want to miss their twice-cooked Dutch-style fries. Amsterdam Falafelshop promotes sustainable living by using wax paper sleeves instead of spoons, forks, or plates. Enjoy your falafels on their patio in warm weather. Cash only. Open daily for lunch and dinner through late night. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, $.

Asia Nora Organic Cuisine

2213 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20037

(202) 797-4860

Natural foods. The Asia Nora serves multi-ethnic new American cuisine using all organic ingredients. Vegetarian appetizers, salads, and entrées are offered. Menu changes seasonally. Open Monday through Friday for lunch for dinner. Open Saturday for dinner only. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC, $$-$$$.

Asylum

2471 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 319-9353

Biker bar. This establishment offers vegan pizza, veggie chili, sandwiches, and a vegan brunch that includes pancakes, French toast, and tofu scramble. Open Monday through Friday for dinner only. Open Saturday and Sunday for brunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC, $$.

Bombay Club

815 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006-4008

(202) 659-3727

Indian. Regional Indian cuisine is served in club-like ambiance. Varied vegetarian dishes are featured from all of India. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

City Lights of China

1731 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 265-6688

Asian. Request the special vegetarian menu at City Lights, and you'll be pleased to find a wide assortment of delicious vegetarian appetizers, entrées, and soups that include mock meat dishes, as well as other vegetarian Chinese foods. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Everlasting Life Health Complex Restaurant

2928 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 232-1700

Vegan deli. Though part of the health complex, this vegan restaurant/health foods/juice bar near Howard University is open to the public. The menu features both raw and cooked foods, such as pizzas, fresh baked breads, cookies, cakes, and pies. They also offer an array of sandwiches, including a Battered Tofu Sandwich, a Gluten Roast Sandwich, a Tofu Salad Sandwich, and Veggie Burgers. Save room for the vegan soft serve ice cream. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Cafeteria, fresh juices, smoothies, special drinks, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

Ghana Café

2465 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 387-3845

African. Ghana Café offers many vegetarian dishes, including Banku (fermented corn balls), FuFu (plantain and cassava), and Wakye (rice and beans). They also are home to some of DC's best African and reggae bands. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, $-$$.

Harmony Café

3287 1/2 M St., NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 338-3886

Chinese. At Harmony you can get any item on the menu made with a meat analogue. Try the Orange Veggie Chicken or the Veggie Shrimp with Cashew Nut. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Himalayan Grill

1805 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 986-5124

Nepalese. The Himalayan Grill is the only Tibetan/Nepalese restaurant in the Washington Metro area. Enjoy the soupy Dal and many other ethnic goodies. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, special drinks, beer/wine/alcohol, reservations recommended, VISA/MC/DISC/DC, $-$$.

•• Indian Delight

1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 371-2295

Union Station, 50 Massachussetts Ave., NE, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 842-1040

1101 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 463-7121

Vegetarian/Indian. Eleven vegetarian entrées, plus appetizers, soup, salad, and dessert are offered on the Indian Delight menu. Daily specials are also available. The Pennsylvania Avenue restaurant is located inside an old post office. Please note that the Connecticut Avenue location now offers meat dishes as well as vegetarian fare, but the meat and meatless meals are still kept separate. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Cafeteria, vegan options, take-out, no credit cards, $.

•• Java Green

1020 19th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 775-8899

Vegetarian. Java Green's predominately vegan menu includes salads, soups, wraps, panini sandwiches, rice bowls, combination lunches, and vegan desserts. Unique dishes include the veggie Chicken Chili, the Boolgogi Rice Wrap made with veggie beef, and the Veg D.C. panini sandwich with soy ham, soy cheese, lettuce, tomato, and vegan mayo. Open Monday through Friday for three meals. Open Saturday for brunch and early dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, smoothies, soymilk/rice milk/multi-grain milk, special drinks, take-out, catering, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Julia's Empanadas

2452 18th St., NW, Washington, DC 20020

(202) 328-6232

Mexican. The spinach, broccoli, and cheese or vegetarian-style empanadas are just a few of the creations offered at Juliaés. The ingredients in the vegetarian empanadas are changed weekly. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, $.

Lebanese Taverna

2641 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008

(202) 265-8681

Lebanese. Choose from an entire page of vegetarian appetizers, as well as entrées and salads, at this Middle Eastern restaurant. Enjoy your meal in the outdoor café. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, beer/wine/alcohol, espresso/cappuccino, reservations recommended, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

Luna Grill & Diner

1301 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 835-2280

American/international. Located near Dupont Circle, their menu has a decent selection of vegetarian items for a diner. These include salads, three-bean vegetarian chili, soups, veggie burgers, pasta, sandwiches, and desserts like fresh fruit. Chili and soups are served in bread bowls. Open daily for three meals. Full service, vegan options, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Maoz Vegetarian

1817 M St. NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 290-3117

Vegetarian. Maoz is a mostly vegan restaurant. Each meal is served with chips and juice. One of the most highly recommended items on the menu is the falafel. The restaurant originated in Holland and is vegetarian for ethical reasons. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner through late night. Open Sunday for lunch and dinner. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, $$.

•• Nirvana

1810 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 223-5043

Vegetarian/Indian. Located near the Farragut West Metro Station, Nirvana features samosas, lentil soup, salads, Indian breads, rice dishes, vegetable curries, dosa, and desserts. Make sure to try their weekday lunch buffet which features cuisine from a different region in India each day. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, expresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol, special drinks, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Pedro and Vinny's

1500 K St. NW At 15th St., Washington, DC 20005

(202) 276-1799

Mexican. This popular sidewalk lunch cart is very vegetarian friendly. The lines can be long, but that's because all of the food is made fresh there with your choice of beans, tortillas, and hot sauce. The Georgia Peach Vidalia Onion comes highly recommended. Open Monday through Friday for lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. vegan options, Take-out only, $.

Restaurant Nora

2132 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008

(202) 462-5143

Natural foods. Restaurant Nora is an organic restaurant serving multi-ethnic new American cuisine. The menu changes daily, and every evening, an organic vegetarian plate is offered. There also is a selection of vegetarian appetizers and salads, and the restaurant is willing to accommodate special diets. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, reservations recommended, formal but no dress code, fresh juices, wine/beer/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$$.

•• Science Club

1136 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 775-0747

Vegetarian/nightclub. Science Club is a lounge offering a vegetarian menu with many vegan items. The cool science lab theme can be seen in the menu, which is printed on a periodic table, the chemistry lab stools used for bar seating, and a microscope that holds the restaurant's business cards. The food menu is small but appetizing, with options ranging from grilled marinated tofu skewers to quinoa tabouli. The drink menu focuses on wine but does contain a variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Enjoy the outdoor patio when weather permits. Open Monday through Saturday for dinner through late night. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, beer/wine/alcohol, special beverages, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

•• Secrets Of Nature Health Food Center

3923 S. Capitol St., SW, Washington, DC 20032

(202) 562-0041

Vegetarian/natural foods. Secrets of Nature offers a wide variety of veggie rolls, sandwiches, salads, soups, barbeque, desserts, and more. Be sure to sample their Saturday brunch menu, too. Open Monday through Saturday for three meals. Closed Sunday. Counter service, fresh juices, macrobiotic/vegan options, catering, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

•• Senbeb Café

6224 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

(202) 249-0917

Vegan café. This café offers wraps and mock meat sandwiches. Look out for the daily specials. Breakfast is available on Saturday. Close to the Takoma Metro Station. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, take-out, VISA/MC, $$.

Skewers

1633 P St., NW, Washington, DC 20036-1403

(202) 387-4005

Middle Eastern. Skewers features vegetable kebabs, falafel, hummus. Open daily. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $$.

•• Snack 'A' Shack

2608 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 387-3469

Vegetarian juice bar. Located across from Howard University School of Business, Snack 'A' Shack serves all natural smoothies, veggie sandwiches, and raw vegan dishes. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, smoothies, fresh juices, $.

•• Soul Vegetarian Café

2606 Georgia Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 328-7685

Vegetarian/soul food. Soul Vegetarian Café is almost entirely vegan; the only exception is honey in some desserts. Try the Garvey burger made from vegetable protein and spices, the Liberia Burger made from black-eyed peas and West African flavoring, a BBQ tofu sub, or one of the many other choices, including desserts like tofu cheesecake. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for brunch. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, smoothies, soymilk, VISA/MC, $-$$.

•• Sticky Fingers Bakery

1370 Park Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20010

(202) 299-9700

Vegan/bakery/café. Sticky Fingers Bakery serves sandwiches, soups, salads, and light fare, but the main event here is dessert! The people behind Sticky Fingers have "veganized" traditional favorites including cookies, brownies, cinnamon buns, muffins, and cupcakes. Their extensive cake selection includes Coconut Delight, Chocolate Love, Bunny Huggers Carrot, Raspberry Chocolate, Strawberry Shortcake, and Peanut Butter Fudge. They offer some nut- and gluten-free items and can create the cake of your dreams -- for weddings, birthdays, or any special occasion. Mail order is available for some dessert items. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, take-out, delivery, catering, VISA/MC, $-$$$.

Stoup's of Athens

1825 I St., NW, Washington, DC 20006-5403

(202) 223-1169

Greek. Authentic Greek cuisine is served along with vegetarian dishes, such as a vegetable platter, spinach pie, stuffed cabbage, and soups. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. vegan options, wine/beer, take-out, no credit cards, $.

Taj Mahal

1327 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 659-1544

Indian. As Washington's oldest Indian restaurant, Taj Mahal has been serving the nation's capital since 1965. A special section of the menu offers vegetarian cuisine from northern India. Vegetarian appetizers, soups, and desserts are also available. Open daily for dinner. Open Monday through Friday for buffet lunch. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Teaism

2009 R St., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 667-3827

400 8th St., NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 638-6010

800 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20006

(202) 835-2233

Teahouse. This unique restaurant, located in the Dupont Circle area of D.C., offers many dishes with an eastern flavor, including veggie bento boxes, Indian vegetable curry, cilantro scrambled tofu, and Plum Ochazuke (Japanese rice and tea soup). You can also sample more than 45 different varieties of tea. Open daily for three meals. Connecticut Ave. location open Monday through Friday for two meals and afternoon tea. Deli-style, take-out, non-smoking, VISA/MC/AMEX, $-$$.

Wellness Café

325 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20003-1147

(202) 543-2266

Natural foods. Macrobiotic and vegetarian sandwiches, soups, salads, and snacks are available for take-out at Wellness Café. Menu items include sushi, panini, gourmet wraps, various bean and grain soups, and veggie burgers. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out only, juice bar, smoothies, VISA/MC, $.

Yes! Natural Gourmet

3425 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008

(202) 363-1559

1825 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 462-5150

Natural foods. Soups, sandwiches, and fresh-squeezed juices are featured at Yes! Open daily. Take-out, fresh juices, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Zed's Ethiopian Cuisine

1201 28th St., NW, Washington, DC 20007-3513

(202) 333-4710

Ethiopian. As is customary with Ethiopian foods, no utensils are used at Zedés; patrons use traditional bread, injera, to pick up food during a meal. Various vegetarian options are available. Open daily. Full service, vegan options, wine/beer/alcohol, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.

Zorba's Café & Carry Out

1612 20th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-1001

(202) 387-8555

Greek. Zorba's serves a variety of ethnic vegetarian dishes, such as fasolakia, falafel, spanakopita, and fasolia. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Counter service, vegan options, wine/beer, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX, $.