By Julia Comino, VRG Intern

It is no secret that finding vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurants in the rural American South can be quite the feat. Having been a vegetarian for the past four years and a Hattiesburg, Mississippi resident my entire life, I have made it my mission to seek out plant-based dining in my area. While often my search has led me to make the trek to the advertised vegan restaurants of New Orleans and other larger cities or into whole-food groceries, I was excited to stumble upon the Petra Café in my own hometown.

Petra Café is a small business dishing out authentic Mediterranean and Greek meals to Hattiesburg locals with a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. The Hattiesburg location is just minutes from the University of Southern Mississippi, and although this restaurant’s exterior is not immediately remarkable, any local can attest to the restaurant’s uniqueness. After taking just one step through its doors, one is met with the heavenly aroma of spices and simmering flavors. The interior is vibrantly decorated with traditional Middle Eastern art and elaborate wall designs. Combining the indoor and outdoor tables, there is enough seating for approximately 50 people.

Although indoor dining has recently been reopened for Petra Café, I opted to order using their limited-exposure pick-up option. I was able to easily place my order online, using their website’s ordering option that clearly labeled which items were vegan, vegetarian, Halal, and gluten-free. Although there are multiple dishes that contain meat on their menu, with the removal of the Grecian sauce or feta cheese, most vegetarian dishes can be customized to be vegan. I only had to wait 15 minutes after ordering, and then my food was ready to be picked up. As I entered the restaurant to receive my meal, I was pleasantly welcomed by the employee at the counter. During our polite conversation, she remarked that Petra Café was like a family and mentioned her appreciation for the restaurant’s owner.

Petra Café was founded in 2007 as the brainchild of Ayman Al-Bataineh. Having moved to Mississippi from Amman, Jordan, Ayman decided to share the flavors he loved from his mother’s kitchen with the residents of Hattiesburg offering up traditionally veggie dishes such as Baba Ghanouj and Dolmas (stuffed grape leaves).

For my order I decided to try Petra’s hummus appetizer. This thick, creamy, chickpea dip was accompanied by slices of warm, freshly made pita bread. The hummus was topped with roasted chickpeas, a drizzle of lemon, a sprinkling of spice mix, and a sprig of cilantro. To fully enjoy this wonderfully composed classic I recommend incorporating each component of this dish into one flavorful bite. 

For my entrée, I chose Petra’s Falafel Sandwich. This item was composed of toasted pita bread stuffed full of homemade falafel (a crispy chickpea fritter), tomatoes, lettuce, and a generous spread of tahini and hummus. This sandwich requires two hands and biting into the packed pita is quite an accomplishment. Although I only tried a few items from their wide selection of flavors, I was more than satisfied by the portions of my meal.

Petra Café’s exuberant atmosphere and the exceedingly well-crafted traditional dishes offered have ensured me that I will become one of this restaurant’s regulars. I must admit, I have been back once already since my initial visit. Should you find yourself in Hattiesburg, Mississippi anytime soon, make sure to stop by Petra Café for amazing veggie Mediterranean and Greek flavors.

For more information about Petra Café, visit: https://petracafe.net/

For more information on vegetarian and vegan restaurants around the United States and Canada see our Restaurant Guide at: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php