Whether you gave up meat for lent, you’re looking to make healthier choices for yourself and the environment or you’re a vegetarian new to the DC area, we’ve got you covered with this round-up of our favorite vegetarian restaurants in DC and DC restaurants with great vegetarian options! Note: this is by no means a complete guide to all of the wonderful vegetarian and vegan restaurants the DC area has to offer, but rather an overview of some of our faves.
Fast-Casual Dining
HipCityVeg
Location: 712 7th St NW
Cuisine: 100% plant-based burgers, sandwiches, salads and smoothies
What To Order: Organic kale lemonade (trust us) and the Philly steak (the first HipCityVeg was in Philly, so you know it’s good!) and a side of sweet potato fries. Other great options are the crispy HipCity ranch sandwich and the Ziggy burger.
SweetGreen
Location: See the 12 DC locations here
Cuisine: Fresh, locally sourced salads and grain bowls
What To Order: The portobello taco bowl, shroomami or pesto portobello if you want something hearty, or the spicy sabzi or hummus tahina if you’re looking for something on the lighter side. Sip on a carrot-turmeric fresca for an extra dose of delicious healthfulness.
CHOPT
Location: See the 8 DC locations here
Cuisine: Soups, salads noodle and grain bowls
What To Order: The Mediterranean falafel bowl is a customer favorite and the Mexicali vegan is perfect for those who want to avoid dairy products as well
Roti Modern Mediterranean
Location: See the 7 DC locations here
Cuisine: Casual and customizable Mediterranean sandwiches, salads and rice bowls
What To Order: Start with a base or rice, salad, pita bread or a laffa wrap, add falafel, then pick the veggies and sauces you like
Takorean
Location: See the 4 DC locations here
Cuisine: Tacos, rice bowls and slaw bowls infused with Korean flavors and ingredients
What To Order: A half-and-half bowl with brown rice, spiced kale slaw, and either hoisin tofu or the seasonal roasted vegetable, plus whatever toppings tickle your fancy (or all of them!)
&pizza
Location: See the 11 DC locations here
Cuisine: Fresh pizza with a variety of unique toppings made to order in under 5 minutes
What To Order: The OG, Gnarlic, Moonstruck or Salad Pizza are all vegetarian, but you can customize your own pie with a variety of veg-friendly toppings, including a vegan cheese option.
Casual Sit-Down Dining
Busboys And Poets
Location: See the 4 DC locations here
Cuisine: A little bit of everything, with a menu that clearly notes vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options
What To Order: The vegan egg scramble is a brunch/breakfast favorite (paired with a mimosa, of course), the vegan cobb salad makes for a hearty lunch or light-ish dinner, and the vegan nachos are a raved about item, but other vegetarian options include baba ganoush, sweet potato hash, coconut tofu bites, hummus and more.
Fare Well
Location: 406 H St NE
Cuisine: Entirely plant-based comfort food inspired by different regions around the world
What To Order: The burrata appetizer is an absolute must for those who have given up animal-sourced cheese, the buffalo cauliflower dip is a customer favorite, and the seitan platter is a hearty dinner plate that will leave you super satisfied. If you’re coming for brunch, sample the seitan and waffles or the french toast casserole.
Sprig And Sprout
Location: 2317 Wisconsin Ave NW
Cuisine: Classic Vietnamese street food, such as pho soup and banh mi sandwiches
What To Order: To avoid having to try and decide upon one thing, order the lemongrass tofu banh mi for lunch and take The Roots pho bowl home to enjoy for dinner later.
Fine Dining
Kapnos
Location: 2201 14th St NW
Cuisine: Fine Greek cuisine from celebrity chef Mike Isabella
What To Order: Almost any of the spreads (served with delicious homemade flatbread) are a great start to the meal, and a combination of small plates from the cold mezze and garden mezze menus make for a fun communal meal.
Zaytinya
Location: 701 9th St NW
Cuisine: Turkish, Greek and Lebanese small plates from celebrity chef José Andrés
What To Order: Almost all of the spreads are vegetarian (served with delicious homemade pita bread). Other favorites include the falafel, crispy brussels afelia, batijan bil laban (crispy eggplant), local swiss chard, and piyaz (warm gigante beans with kale, oven roasted tomatoes, and garlic).
Elizabeth’s Gone Raw
Location: 1341 L St NW
Cuisine: A true fine-dining experience where all of the ingredients are raw and vegan
What To Order: Each Friday night, Elizabeth’s offers a raw, vegan prix fixe tasting menu. It is only offered on Fridays and you’ll need to make a reservation in advance.
Thai X-ing
Location: 515 Florida Ave NW
Cuisine: Homestyle Thai Cusine, served family style in a semi-converted rowhome – a very unique dining experience!
What To Order: Make a reservation at least a week in advance and go on a Tuesday night when the prix-fixe menu is all vegetarian. The pumpkin curry was named one of the “Top 40 Dishes You Shouldn’t Live Without” by the Washington Post!