photo from Planta

The Vegetarian Resource Group maintains an online Guide to Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants in the USA and Canada. Here are some recent vegan restaurant additions. The entire guide can be found here: http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php

To support the updating of this online restaurant guide, please donate at: www.vrg.org/donate

Here are some new additions to VRG’s guide:

Buatong Thai Vegan Restaurant, 6735 N. First S.t, #107, Fresno, CA 93710

In the spirit of a vegan fairy tale come true, Buatong Thai Vegan came into being after the new owners took over a formerly traditional Thai restaurant and overhauled the menu, making every item 100% vegan. From the salads and soups to the rice and noodle dishes, the menu offers all that you would expect from a Thai restaurant, including Laab vegan chicken made with Thai chili and lime dressing, lemongrass, cilantro, and onion; the Tom Yum soup; red, yellow, and green curry dishes; and the Drunken Noodle (stir-fried wide rice noodles with fresh chili, vegan ground meat, basil, bean sprouts, jalapeno, and tomato). And no Thai meal is complete without a sweet rice or fruit-based dessert—so save room for the fried banana and coconut ice cream or the sweet rice with mango.

Fire & Spice, 491 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106

Fire & Spice Vegan Restaurant offers several small-plate and bakery items. Menu items comprise several global flavors such as Jamaican, Indian, and Rastafarian. Appetizers include potato samosas, jerk plantain patties, and cabbage turnovers. The Ital Rastafarian stew consists of coconut milk with sweet potato, pumpkin, and red beans. Several bakery items are available such as whoopie pies (red velvet and chocolate), cookies (oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip), breads/rolls, and mini loaves (banana walnut and plantain with sunflower and pumpkin seeks).

Hi Flora, 2558 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55405

Hi! Flora is a THC-infused restaurant with a variety of plant-based eats and euphoric drinks at their temperance bar. If you’re looking for an indie, underground eatery with a psychedelic ambience, don’t shy away from stopping by, especially to sit under their low lavender-colored lamps. You can dine in for their Cashew Hemp Cheese Dip, Shroomy Shawarma, Fried Maitake Sandwich, Wild Rice Burger, or Hi! Quesadilla. As for their alcohol-free, but still state-altering drinks, their Potion of Peace, Livener Bubbles, Banana Cream Colada, Smoked Juniper, or Hazelnut Horchata all sound like viable options if you’re looking to capture that dark, spooky forest or cottage core vibe.

Lively Up Yourself, Midtown Yacht Club Location, 1661 NE 4th St., Bend, Oregon 97701 and Eurosports & Food Cart Garden Location, 223 E. Hood Ave., Sisters, Oregon 97759

With menus inspired by the owners’ Midwestern upbringing, Lively Up Yourself aims to bring nostalgic comfort food flavors to vegans while also enticing non-vegans to try a plant-based meal. Nothing says nostalgia like macaroni and cheese, and here you will find a selection of Mac Bowls, ranging from the Classic with their OG cheeze sauce, green onion and paprika, to the Krabby Mac, made with a krabby patty, Cajun remoulade, ranch, green onion, paprika, and dulse flakes. Other tantalizing options include the St. Louis Style Ribz (made-from-scratch seitan and jackfruit ribz coated in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with ranch) and the B*tchin Chik’n sandwich, a breaded seitan buffalo chik’n patty served with a garlic aioli, pickles, tomatoes, and ranch coleslaw. There are some variations in menu offerings between the two locations, and it’s noted that most items can be made gluten-free upon request. And in case you’re wondering, yes, their name was inspired by the Bob Marley song.

Planta, 316 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11249

Looking for a fancy vegan restaurant for any special occasion? Planta is the place to be! Planta expands the accessibility of fine dining. Choose from a plethora of plant-based dishes created by top-tier chefs including sushi, salads, brick oven pizzas, a house burger, wraps, pasta dishes, and more. Planta is dedicated to a greener future. From sourcing of their restaurant design, PLANTA ensures all of our produce and supplies are delivered sustainably. PLANTA uses reusable containers to reduce waste and their to-go packaging is made from 100% compostable materials. PLANTA is for the planet and plant-powered dining!

The Fix Falafel & Things, West Street Market, 148 West St., Reno, NV 89501

At The Fix Falafel & Things there are gluten-free options, and you can order online. One of their wraps called ‘The Hornet’ includes falafel, grilled mushrooms, onions, black olives, pepperoncini, lettuce, and mustard. They also serve vegan meat products such as chicken and steak.

Thrive, 1509 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302

Much of their menu features raw plant foods. The decor is almost as colorful as their food but we suggest tucking into one of their smoothies and hearty soups and getting a side of flax crackers to go along with it all! They have outdoor seating.

Veg-O-Rama, 44930 Ford Rd., Canton, MI 48187

Veg-O-Rama serves up Indo-American fusion food in a 50s-themed diner. They started the restaurant in hopes of sharing affordable vegetarian and vegan food options. Located in a strip mall they offer affordable food with gluten-free and vegan modifications to their vegetarian offerings. Sample dishes include Masala Fries, Samosas, a variety of burgers and wraps, bowls, vegan hot dogs, falafel salad, vegan cupcakes, and more. They offer a kid’s menu too.