Whether you’re a vegetarian, natural food eater, health nut, or just a general food lover, each of these restaurants boasts some of the best vegetarian/natural food in the world. Each restaurant offers its own unique take on fresh, natural, healthy food, and they are all delicious. The next time you’re in the neighborhood, you should definitely check them out!
Glo, Reykjavik, Iceland
Glo focuses on healthy, natural foods, offering raw, vegan, and meat options. Their goal is to make it easy for busy people to discover and try new, exciting healthy meals that enrich the mind, body and spirit. The menu changes daily and generally consists of several “salad” options (don’t just think lettuce, but these salads also include potato and pasta salads, as well as non-lettuce veggie salads), a few main dishes (usually two vegan and one meat option), soup, and several desserts. The food is delicious and beautifully prepared.
Footprint Cafe, Siem Reap, Cambodia
The Footprint Cafe is a charitable organization working to harness the financial power of tourism for the benefit of the local community by donating 100% of net profits back to the local community as grants for educational projects. The cafe is home to dozens of donated books available for perusal or purchase. They serve all day breakfast, delicious smoothies, salads, traditional Khmer dishes, and international favorites, all including many vegetarian options. The Cambodia Curry was particularly delicious. They also have an all you can eat vegan barbecue every Tuesday night for just $6.
Visit their page on Facebook for more information.
Left: Footprint Cafe Chicken Lok Lak; Right: The Tater Tots Pot including homemade sweet potato tater tots served with ketchup and sweet chili sauce.
Northstar Cafe, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Northstar Cafe focuses on natural and healthy food, choosing locally grown, organic, and artisan produced foods to create their delicious dishes. They are committed to sharing these wonderful dishes with a sustainable attitude. Their passion shows through the excellence of their food. Now with five locations in central Ohio the great news is spreading. Every time I am home I visit Northstar two or three times (even if I’m only in town two or three days). It is that good!
Above are some of my favorite Northstar dishes. The Square Meal with spicy organic black beans over brown rice, with sautéed peppers & onions, avocado, and cheddar (front left), and the Buddha Bowl with pan seared organic tofu or roasted chicken, long-grain brown rice with peanut sauce and bright veggies (back left); Northstar Hot Chocolate, and the Shooting Star made of fresh carrot, ginger, orange and lemon.
Crudessence, Montreal, Canada
Every visit to Montreal includes at least one stop (likely two) at Crudessence. This is a raw, vegan cafe with absolutely delicious meals. Unfortunately, the restaurant locations started closing down in the summer of 2017 (all locations are now closed), but you haven’t missed your chance to taste their delectable treats. The raw food chain closed its stores in favor of fresh, healthy, ready-to-eat options offered in grocery stores. Salads, wraps, macarons, and various tartes and brownies are available at Avril grocery stores around Montreal. So the next time you are in Montreal stock up on some healthy ready to eat snacks. We were lucky enough to pick up an English version of their recipe book the last time we were there. Brad’s version of the raw, vegan, blueberry cheesecake is a big hit (we even served it at our wedding).
Check out their website for more information (the page is available in French and English).
Vegan sloppy joe sandwich with homemade, natural bun; water with a few drops of liquid chlorophyll; and the dessert sampler including raw vegan blueberry cheesecake, cashew nut ice cream, vegan brownie, and more.
Below is a sampling of the new ready-to-eat offerings:
Clockwise from top left: sesame fusion salad, garden roll, lime tarte, and cheesecake. Photo Credit: Crudessence.
Liquid Assets, Dunedin, New Zealand
Liquid Assets is a modern company focusing on creating healthy, all-natural juices, smoothies, and soups from a fresh and vibrant array of New Zealand’s best produce. All juices, smoothies, and soups are gluten-free and vegan. The pumpkin soup is amazing, and great for those chilly autumn days. The cold-pressed juices are delicious as well. The Marilyn Monroe is a flavorful combination of apple, cucumber, pineapple, mint, and lime. Conveniently located on the Octagon in Dunedin on the South Island, this a great place to stop for a quick lunch or juice snack before exploring the rest of the town.
Check out their website for more details.
Cafe Evergreen, Nokomis (Sarasota), Florida
Cafe Evergreen was a surprising and delightful find on a recent trip to Sarasota, Florida. Making healthier versions of long-time favorites is a staple of this restaurant. By making their own sauces, dressing, and soups, Cafe Evergreen is able to use two-thirds the amount of salt of other restaurants. They also focus on making healthy and delicious drinks, including a variety of probiotic drinks, healthy smoothies, and fresh juices. While not a vegetarian restaurant, they offer a significant number of vegetarian and vegan options. If you’re in the area stop by for a delicious and healthy meal.
Check out their website for more information.
Clockwise from top left: Curry acorn squash stuffed with quinoa cauliflower rice and topped with a cranberry vinaigrette, vegan crab cakes atop a bed of organic arugula topped with a homemade vegan remoulade, and curry chickpea and broccoli over pineapple rice with grilled pita bread. Photo Credits: Cafe Evergreen.
Banlle, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Banlle, pronounced ban-lay, is an amazing vegetarian restaurant in Siem Reap. It is located directly across the street from the Footprint Cafe discussed above. Banlle is dedicated to serving up delicious and natural vegetarian food. The restaurant has its own farm where it grows seasonal vegetables, flowers, beans, and herbs for use in its amazing dishes. The restaurant is located in a beautiful garden setting, and offers delicious desserts and fresh drinks along with appetizers and main dishes. If you plan to visit keep in mind that the restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
Check out their website for more information.
Clockwise from the top left: fresh green apple drink, warm house salad with vermicelli noodles, fresh vegetable wraps, vegetable Amok (traditional Khmer dish), and tomato soup.
Do any of these delectable dishes inspire you to pack your bags? Let me know in the comments below!
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