The Top Local Restaurants for Vegans and Vegetarians

Are you the only vegetarian in your group of friends? Do you find yourself struggling to order a vegan meal when out to eat with your family of carnivores? We’re happy to say that our area is vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. Next time you’re on an Afton Mountain getaway and you’re in need of a meal to suit your dietary requirements, then you may want to try out one or more of these scrumptious suggestions:

The Royal Indian Restaurant, Charlottesville: Sink your teeth in this eatery’s wide variety of vegetarian cuisine—cauliflower and potatoes cooked with herbs, green peas with Indian-style homemade cheese, spinach with light cream, chickpeas, lentils, and more.

Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton: While many of these options contain animal products, Blue Mountain also offers some vegetarian options to make your mouth water. Start off with a hummus plate, complete with carrots, celery, cucumbers, flatbread, and house-made tortilla chips. Then fill up with a Veggie Pizza, a Mediterranean Pizza, or a Margherita Pizza, along with a grilled tofu salad.

Orzo Kitchen & Wine Bar, Charlottesville: Orzo provides its patrons with a separate menu for vegan (and gluten free!) dishes. From Linguine Primavera to the Vegetarian Plate with spicy chickpea stew and smoked tomatoes, your tummy and taste buds will love these animal product-free offerings.

Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, Charlottesville: This restaurant’s menu is almost completely vegan and vegetarian (with a few gluten free options as well). Whether you’re enjoying the Vegan Spice Cake, the Falafel Pita, the Zen Wrap, or the Goatherd Platter, you can rest assured that you’re getting a deliciously high-quality meal.

The Green Leaf Grill, Waynesboro: Indulge in a Roasted Vegetarian’s Delight, a delicious concoction of artichoke hearts, red peppers, arugula, onions, and mozzarella. Fill up with a meal of Coconut Curry, made served on a bed of jasmine rice with coconut flakes. Feast on a stuffed Portobello mushroom, grilled with balsamic and stuffed with spinach-artichoke dip. Or you can always keep it simple with a not-so-simple veggie burger. (Want to make the veggie burger vegan? Ask for it without the Havarti cheese.)

Happy eating!