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

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Maine

Bangor

Bagel Central

33 Central St., Bangor, ME 04401

(207) 947-1654

Café/bakery. Located in the heart of downtown Bangor, Bagel Central offers a wide variety of bagels and spreads, including a house-made vegan tofu cream cheese. This eatery also carries some vegan dessert pastries. The atmosphere is friendly and vibrant, featuring paintings from local artists on the walls. Bagel Central is a great place to go for a quick and delicious bagel, soup, sandwich, or sweet treat.

Open Sunday through Friday for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Open Saturday for breakfast and lunch
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, catering
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

··The Donut GroVe

The Bangor Farmers Market, 140 Harlow St., Bangor, ME 04401

603-767-4988

Vegan/donuts. The Donut GroVe offers both fluffy and delicious raised (yeast) donuts and scrumptious classic cake donuts. Note they use almond milk to prepare most of the donuts. Find them at the Bangor Farmers Market on Sundays. It's best to pre-order your donuts. You can also have donuts delivered for a fee.

Open Sunday morning. Closed Monday through Saturday
Take-out
vegan options
take-out, delivery
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

locations

Bar Harbor

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Ellsworth.)

Café This Way

14 1/2 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609

(207) 288-4483

American. Café This Way has an extravagant breakfast menu, nearly all of which can be made vegetarian (if it's not already) with mockmeats like veggie sausage. They have a few vegan breakfast items as well. Dinner has slightly less options, but there are vegetarian appetizers to choose from as well as a variety of salads and two entrées (Southwest Tempeh Steak and Cashew-Crusted Tofu). Enjoy dining on the outdoor deck in nice weather. Please note that Café This Way is closed between breakfast and dinner so call ahead for hours.

Open daily for breakfast and dinner from May through October
Full service
vegan options
take-out, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol
VISA/MC, $$-$$$

The Looking Glass

50 Eden St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609

(207) 288-3348

Natural foods. This restaurant is located next to two hotels overlooking Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor. They offer a separate vegan/gluten-free menu including items such as Coconut Crusted Tofu, Roasted Eggplant Quinoa Salad, Braised Fennel, Tomato, and Mushroom Stew, and Potato and Cabbage Croquettes. The menu is available to hotel guests as well as the general public.

Seasonal hours. Open daily for Breakfast and Dinner late April through early November
Full service
vegan options
catering
VISA/MC/DISC, $$

locations

Belfast

Belfast Co-op Deli

123 High St., Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-2532

Natural foods. Belfast Co-op serves three vegetarian entrées daily, as well as salads and breads.

Open daily for breakfast and lunch
Limited service
take-out, fresh juices
$

·Chase's Daily

96 Main St., Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-0555

Vegetarian/American. Chase's Daily is a vegetarian restaurant with creative dishes. They use fresh produce gathered from their own farm. Popular dishes include Soba Noodles with Spicy Grilled Tofu, Napa Cabbage Salad, and the Black Beans and Rice Burrito. They also feature a daily soup.

Open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Sunday and Monday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, beer/wine
VISA/MC/DISC, $$

Darby's Restaurant & Pub

155 High St., Belfast, ME 04915

(207) 338-2339

International. Darby's Restaurant & Pub has operated continuously since 1865 with the original walls, tin ceiling, and antique bar. There are some vegetarian items offered including the Fiesta Salad (available with vegetarian black beans), portobello sandwich, Pad Thai (available with tofu), and Bombay Curry (available with tofu). Darby's is located in the historic downtown of Belfast, just two doors down from the Colonial Theatre (movie theater). Reservations are recommended.

Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, espresso/cappuccino, wine/beer/alcohol
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$

locations

Bethel

·Café DiCocoa

125 Main St., Bethel, ME 04217

(207) 824-5282

Vegetarian. Café DiCocoa is a self-proclaimed "funky and hip natural foods eatery." Located in an 1880s Victorian farmhouse, this café has a full bakery and holds cooking and baking classes. They are kid-friendly and do vegetarian catering.

Open year-round with seasonal hours
Full service
vegan options
catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappucino, soymilk
VISA/MC/DISC/DC, $-$$

locations

Biddeford

New Morning Natural Foods

230 Main St., Biddeford, ME 04005

(207) 282-1434

Natural foods store/organic/café. New Morning Natural Foods is a family-run labor of love. They offer whole, organic foods, bulk items, organic produce, and more! They have a café in the back of the store with an ever-changing selection of creative entrées, a wide variety of sandwiches, and homemade soups and chili. Please note that only the Biddeford location contains a café.

Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
$

locations

Brunswick

Wild Oats Bakery & Café

166 Admiral Fitch Ave., Brunswick, ME 04011

(207) 725-6287

Bakery/café/deli. Wild Oats is a from-scratch bakery, café, and deli in the heart of downtown Brunswick. They have a revolving selection of deli salads, many of which are vegan, and they usually have at least one vegan soup. They don't offer vegan bakery items. Have a refreshing fruit salad or a cup of coffee while surfing the Internet. Free Wi-Fi is available. Check out each day's menu online or sign-up to receive it by email. Wild Oats is located in the Tontine Mall, across from Pleasant Street, and within easy walking distance of Bowdoin College.

Open daily for breakfast and lunch
Cafeteria
vegan options
take-out, delivery, catering, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, non-alcoholic beer, special beverages
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

locations

Ellsworth

Riverside Café

151 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605

(207) 667-7220

American. Enjoy breakfast or lunch in the relaxing environment of the Riverside Café. The restaurant offers a separate vegetarian menu, including The Illusive Tofu Scramble, The TLT, and 151 Main, a vegan French toast dish.

Open Friday through Wednesday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Thursday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, smoothies
VISA/MC, $-$$

locations

Freeport

Royal River Natural Foods

443 US Route 1, Freeport, ME 04032

(207) 865-0046

Natural foods store/organic. Royal River Natural Foods is a health market specializing in local and organic foods. They offer tofu cheeses, meat substitutes, and other vegan items; local organic produce; fresh-baked bread; special dietary products; organic and specialty wines; local and micro-brewed beer; gourmet treats; cruelty-free body care items; and eco-friendly household goods. Royal River also offers delicious take-out foods such as sandwiches, soups, muffins, and salads. Table seating is available. Check their website for daily hot deli choices, fresh organic juice schedule, and upcoming seminars and other events. The store is located in downtown Freeport near L.L. Bean.

Open daily
Cafeteria
vegan options
take-out, delivery, fresh juices, soymilk, special beverages
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

locations

Gorham

··Curbside Comforts

680 Gray Rd., Gorham, ME 04038

207-572-1002

Vegan/American. Anyone who thinks vegans miss out on comforting, nostalgic foods need to pay a visit to Curbside Comforts, whose name really says it all. Owned and run by veterans, this walk-up establishment with outdoor dining offers a menu chock-full of everyone’s favorite indulgences: multiple varieties of Mac & Cheese; burgers featuring Beyond Burger; Chik’n sandwiches & Chik’n Tenders; and 7 different options for fries. There is a kids’ comfort menu as well. And if sweets are where you get your comfort, you can select from ice cream concoctions (such as the Curbside Chaos, Cookies & Cream, comprised of soft-serve with crushed chocolate cookies) or vegan candy bars. And Lovebirds donuts are offered on the 1st Saturday of every month and special occasions.

Open Wednesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday and Tuesday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

locations

Kennebunk

New Morning Natural Foods

3 York St., Kennebunk, ME 04043

(207) 985-6774

Natural foods store/organic. See description under Biddeford, ME.

locations

Kittery

··Lovebirds Donuts

450 US Route 1, Kittery, ME 03904

(207) 703-2392

Vegan/donuts. Lovebirds is an all vegan donut shop located on Route 1 in Kittery. The donuts, glazes, and toppings are made from scratch daily in their kitchen. The three tiers of donuts are swanky, such as a strawberry shortcake donut with layers of frosting and strawberries. Followed by signature, think Boston cream donut or a mango glazed donut. The final tier is classic with favorites like chocolate glazed and cinnamon sugar. There is a flavor for everyone at this vegan donut shop!

Seasonal hours; call ahead
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

·Maine Squeeze Smoothie & Juice Café

7 Wallingford Sq., Kittery, ME 03904

(207) 703-2079

Vegetarian/juice bar. Enjoy a wide variety of smoothies and fresh juices including the Chocoholic, Very Berry, and Lemon Zinger. They also serve an AcaiI bowl.

Open daily for breakfast and lunch.
Counter service
vegan options
fresh juices, take-out
VISA/MC/DISC, $

locations

Lewiston

She Doesn't Like Guthries

115 Middle St., Lewiston, ME 04240

(207) 376-3344

American/eclectic. She Doesn't Like Guthries is an inviting restaurant filled with local art and live music. They offer many vegetarian and vegan selections such as their Vegan Burrito or Marquee Moon Panini (request the turkey be replaced with Tofurky). They make every effort to be eco-conscious and have been certified as a Green Restaurant by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. Free Wi-Fi is available.

Open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, catering, espresso/cappuccino, soymilk, smoothies, beer/wine
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

locations

Portland

(For restaurant listings in the surrounding areas, see Biddeford and Freeport.)

··Copper Branch

5 Canal Plaza, Portland, ME 04101

207-747-4676

Vegan. Copper Branch describes itself as a “Vegan Powerhouse” with a menu that lives up to the title. Stop in for a hearty breakfast with the Field Roast and JustEgg and a Dairy Free Cappuccino. Or try some of the vegan versions of other classic dishes throughout the day. Options include the Black Bean Burger, Aztec Power Bowl, or BBQ Flatbread Pizza. Be sure to check out the smoothie and dessert menus as well. All dishes are available gluten-free, but organic Kamut bread is also available.

Open Wednesday through Monday for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesday
Full service
vegan options
smoothies, take-out, delivery
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

··Curbside Comforts

Eastern Promenade, Portland, ME 04101

207-383-7033

Vegan/food truck. Curbside Comforts food truck is veteran owned and offers delicious plant-based vegan all-American comfort food, such as Chick’n Patty Sammy, Gravy Comfort Fries, Comfort Burgers, and a variety of Comfort Mac & Cheeses. Be sure to check out their social media pages for their schedule and location. See: https://www.facebook.com/curbsidecomfortsfoodtruck/?ref=page_internal

Hours vary
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, deliverly
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

·Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro

608 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 347-3111

Vegetarian/Asian. Asian-inspired vegetarian cuisine is the focus at Green Elephant. Most items are vegan (and are noted as such on the menu) or can be made vegan. All "meats" are vegetarian soy. The menu offers a good variety and includes entrées such as Watercress Veggie-Duck, Organic Green Tea Noodle, and Veggie Citrus Spare Ribs. Green Elephant is closed between lunch and dinner so please call for hours.

Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday for dinner. Open Thursday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday
Full service
vegan options
take-out, soymilk, beer/wine, non-alcoholic beer, special beverages
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$

·Nura Hummus and Falafel Bar

1 Monument Way, Portland, ME 04101

(207) 468-1043

Vegetarian/Middle Eastern. Enjoy a falafel sandwich, hummus platter, falafel bowl, Shawarma fries, and more.

Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and early dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, catering
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$

··Sticky Sweet

119 Cumberland Ave., Portland, ME 04101

Vegan/ice cream parlor. Enjoy vegan, gluten-free ice cream made from scratch! Flavors vary by season. They also make their own waffle cones.

Open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner. Open Sunday for late lunch and dinner. Closed Monday and Tuesday
Counter service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $

The Works Café

15 Temple St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 879-2425

Bagel deli. More than 16 varieties of bagels are offered with various topping options, including cream cheeses, Tofutti spreads, salads, and other vegetarian combinations. Only natural ingredients without preservatives are used. The Works Café is environmentally conscious and socially active in its community.

Open daily for breakfast and lunch
Counter service
vegan options
take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino
$

Whole Foods Market

2 Somerset St., Portland, ME 04101

(207) 774-7711

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, wine/beer
VISA/MC, $-$$

locations

Woolwich

Taste Of Maine

161 Main St., Woolwich, ME 04579

(207) 443-4554

American. This seafood restaurant overlooking Pleasant Cove has a separate vegan menu. They serve vegan nachos and potato skins as appetizers, sandwiches, pizza, as well as vegan main dishes such as stroganoff with mushrooms and stuffed ravioli. Weather permitting, you can also dine outside on their deck.

Open daily for lunch and dinner during the summer. Hours vary rest of year.
Full service
vegan options
take-out
VISA/MC/DISC, $-$$

locations