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

Iowa

Cedar Rapids Des Moines Fairfield Iowa City Urbandale West Des Moines

Cedar Rapids

·The Full Bowl

1100 3rd St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

(319) 573-0776

Vegetarian/organic. The Full Bowl helps customers explore cuisines from around the world through a meal staple—beans and rice. Their menu features their two most popular bowls, the Chana Masala bowl, and the No-Coast bowl, plus one weekly special that explores flavors from different countries. All food options are organic unless noted otherwise, and they have gluten-free options. Be sure to try their vegan corn muffin and their natural house-made lemonade with your meal.

locations

Des Moines

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

A-Dong Restaurant

1511 High St., Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 284-5632

Vietnamese. A-Dong Vietnamese Restaurant features a separate vegetarian menu that includes appetizers, vegetarian egg and spring rolls, soups, noodles, and rice dishes. Interesting offerings include the Bo Kho Chay (tofu and vegetable stew over noodles), Com Tau Hu Xao Hanh (Mongolian tofu over rice), Com Tau Hu Don Chay (stuffed tofu with a sweet and sour topping), and the Banh Xeo Chay (tofu and vegetables in Vietnamese pancakes).

Campbell's Nutrition

4040 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311

(515) 277-6351

Natural foods store/deli. Campbell's features a variety of vegetarian sandwiches. They are located in the Uptown Shopping Center.

··Cinnaholic

505 E. Grand Ave., Ste. 101, Des Moines, IA 50309

515-644-7491

Vegan/bakery. Cinnaholic offers over 30 flavors of gourmet cinnamon rolls -- and they are all vegan! Some include Almond, Blackberry, Butterscotch, Caramel, Cream Soda, Key Lime, Root Beer, & Pomegranate. Toppings range from Cookie Dough Chunks to Shredded Coconut and everything in between. They offer other sweet treats including cookies.

Gateway Market

2002 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312

(515) 243-1754

Café. This café located in a market serves some vegan dishes including tofu scramble for breakfast, black bean burger, chili, tofu bahn mi, and pad Thai.

India Star

5514 Douglas Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

(515) 279-2118

Indian. India Star offers many vegetarian meals; vegan items are noted on the menu. Their daily lunch buffet is a great value and includes four vegetarian dishes. Enjoy dinner entrées such as Mushroom Mattar, Channa Masala, and Alu Palak. India Star is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours.

Lucky Lotus

2721 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Chinese. This Southeast Asian restaurant offers many veggie options including vegan eggrolls, rice noodle dish, vegan pho, orange tofu, red curry, and more.

·Ritual Café

1301 Locust St., Ste. D, Des Moines, IA 50309

(515) 288-4872

Vegetarian/coffeehouse/café. Ritual Café is an all-vegetarian eatery and coffeehouse as well as a venue for local artists. Enjoy sandwiches, paninis, salads, breakfast items, or just a cup of Joe in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Live music is regularly featured. Ritual Café is in downtown Des Moines between Locust and Grand Avenues.

··Thistle's Summit

40 SW 5th St. #122, Des Moines, IA 50309

319-535-3832

Vegan/bakery. Named for the black lab/pyrenees mix Thistle, part of the family (the other members are a proud Queer couple) who own and run this small bakery, Thistle’s Summit serves up “baked goods that taste nothing like compromise but are safe for just about anyone to enjoy” — i.e. they are vegan and gluten-free (although they are produced in a shared space on 24th street where gluten, dairy, eggs, and nuts are used). They offer a weekly-rotating menu, which can be seen along with full ingredients lists and clearly marked allergens on their website, but look out especially for their famous oatmeal cream pies, which are also stocked at many other retailers in the area. Other offerings usually include the likes of cookies, tarts, pastries, sauces, cinnamon rolls, and more adventurous options like peach lavender leo lunchbox zodicake, sweet potato miso biscuits, or rose pistachio tart.

··Veggie Thumper

Location Varies, Des Moines, IA 50310

515-867-7253

Vegan/food truck. Veggie Thumper is a food bus located in Des Moines Iowa. They have a variety of vegan meals such as their Philly cheesesteak and their bbq chick’n nachos. You can find the Veggie Thumper bus cruising around Ohio doing pop-ups at various events in the area.

locations

Fairfield

India Café

50 W. Burlington Ave., Fairfield, IA 52556

(641) 472-1792

Indian. The menu at India Café; offers vegetarian entré;es, including their special Vegetarian Thali. They are closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for exact hours. Reservations are accepted.

locations

Iowa City

India Café

227 E. Washington St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 354-2775

Indian. See description under Fairfield, IA.

··Trumpet Blossom Café

310 E. Prentiss St., Iowa City, IA 52240

(319) 248-0077

Vegan/natural foods. Trumpet Blossom Café offers a warm and comfortable atmosphere and an all-vegan menu. Try dinner plates like Cumin Tempeh with Polenta and Cilantro Lime Sauce or the Chipotle Quesadilla served with mashed black beans. Happy Hour is between lunch and dinner. Live music and other events are sometimes scheduled. Outdoor seating is available. Trumpet Blossom is located next door to 30th Century Bicycle. Reservations are accepted.

locations

Urbandale

Campbell's Nutrition

2749 100th St., Urbandale, IA 50322

(515) 331-1390

Natural foods store/deli. Campbell's in Urbandale is located in the Deerfield Crossing Center. See description under Des Moines, IA.

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West Des Moines

·Fresh Café & Market

6151 Thorton Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266

(515) 440-4700

Vegetarian/organic/juice bar. Fresh Café & Market is all-vegetarian and very vegan-friendly. Their menu varies but consists of soups, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and raw foods. Any item can be made vegan. For dessert, try the vegan Black Bean Brownie. Wheatgrass shots are quite popular here. Fresh Café & Market is closed on weekdays between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours.

locations

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