There’s more and more evidence that eliminating meat from your diet, even just a few days a week, is not only good for you but also good for the planet. Coming up with vegetarian meals can be difficult for the average omnivore, but these incredible restaurants in Boston have got you covered.
Cocobeet
Cocobeet is Boston’s original organic juice bar. The cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies, and grab-and-go vegan menu can help you feel your healthiest while also helping the planet. Drink your greens with the “Green Genes” juice with kale, spinach, cucumber, apple and ginger. The “Peruvian Sun” is a refreshing blast of orange, carrot, apple, citrus and maca. For hungrier health nuts on the go, try an umami bowl. The wild rice, raw greens, sweet potato hummus, mushrooms and pickled pineapple will keep you fueled all day. The vanilla berry chia pudding is a sweet treat (and you deserve it). To jump start your vegan cuisine journey, try a cleanse! Cocobeet has several different cleanses in a variety of lengths. Go for an all-liquid cleanse or do a combo of liquid and raw foods.
Grasshopper Restaurant
In Allston, Grasshopper Restaurant is the go-to spot for vegan Chinese food. Currently only open for takeout, Grasshopper specializes in modern takes on classic Chinese dishes. One of the house specialties is the braised spicy tofu hot pot with seitan, pineapple and lemongrass. The “Grasshopper Supreme” uses skinless, steamed eggplant, asparagus, spinach, and mushrooms all slathered in a savory chili-basil sauce. Each fried rice or lo mein dish comes with a choice of tofu or other veggie-protein options. For dessert, there’s vegan blueberry or strawberry cheesecake.
True Bistro
For more than a decade, True Bistro has been the best place in town to enjoy plant-based fine dining. Chef/Co-Owner Stuart Reiter has lived in Austria, Japan, Hungary and Ghana and his experience abroad influences each dish at True Bistro (currently open for takeout only). Start with a hearty bowl of mushroom gumbo with okra, traditional vegetables and shimeiji mushrooms. For the main course try either the crispy, seared polenta squares topped with seitan chorizo, cashew sour cream and red mole or the BBQ tofu and grits with smoky collard greens. Save room for dessert because there are two kinds of cheesecake (strawberry and peach) and a bourbon chocolate pecan pie.
My Thai Vegan Cafe
My Thai Vegan Cafe showcases the indigenous flavors of Thailand through a plant-based lens. The cafe uses only the freshest, cleanest ingredients in its dishes and the professional service combined with affordable prices keeps locals coming back time and again. Start with classic appetizers like spring rolls stuffed with veggie-chicken and tofu or tow-hoo tod (crispy tofu cigars). There are 11 different soups to try including the house specialty vegetable noodle soup with veggie-veal, veggie-chicken, tofu and a mix of Asian vegetables in a clear broth. The most Instagram-worthy main course is the “Bird’s Nest.” Taro root is fried and formed into a nest shape and then filled with veggie-chicken, veggie-beef, bell pepper, pineapple, zucchini, broccoli, walnuts and a spicy green curry sauce. There’s also a wide selection of “lighter fare” for those who are watching their waistlines.
Veggie Grill
In 2006, the founders of Veggie Grill discovered that not only did they feel better on a plant-based diet, they also felt more empowered to help others change the way they consume food. Now, Veggie Grill is one of the largest vegan and vegetarian restaurant companies in the country. The Harvard Square location is open for limited dine-in, takeout and delivery. The menu showcases how pub favorites can easily be converted to the plant-based format. The “Double BBQ Mac Burger” uses two Beyond Burger patties, creamy ranch along with mac and cheese tossed in the house VG cheese sauce all served on a brioche bun. The Veggie Grill take on a reuben uses “corned beef,” special sauce, whiskey-dill sauerkraut and provolone on griddled rye bread. There’s even a kid’s menu for the youngest vegetarians in the family.
