Below, some of the places we’ve found that are truly veggie-friendly. I vote with my $$$. And with my recommendations. 😊 Feel free to submit your own reviews!
All veggie
All totally vegetarian – a treat, and rare here in these parts! What’s fun is EVERYONE will be eating vegetarian so she could try some of what everyone gets!! And as an added bonus, even the WINES are totally vegetarian / vegan / biodynamic!
- Cafe Sunflower – Sandy Springs and Midtown locations (I think the Midtown location has a little bit better atmosphere – right next to Houston’s on Peachtree.)
- Herban Fix Vegan Kitchen – Midtown-downtownish
Truly decadent! A vegan foodie experience, very beautiful and delicious.
Italian
As you know, one of my favorite food groups!
- Pasta da Pulcinella – Midtown
(owned by a friend of ours, who became a friend because we went there SO often!)
Cozy, adorable house converted into a restaurant – great, housemade pasta – LOTS of veggie options, and they’re very accommodating. - Storico Fresco – Buckhead
Great, authentic housemade pastas, exclusively Italian wine list, and great take-home items. - Sotto Sotto – Inman Park
Not a ton of veggie options, but what’s there is fantastic. Also, although they like to throw pancetta in everything, you can always request that they not!
Two words: Mushroom risotto (aka Risotto ai Funghi!)!!! (Double check the broth they use – menu says “vegetarian option available”… which could mean you have to specify so they don’t add meat broth) - La Tavola – Virginia Highlands
Update: When last we visited, the mushroom tagliatelle had been changed. The ragu is ono longer thick and creamy but more brothy – definitely left a lot to be desired. Also, our service was abysmal.
Their gnocchi are heavenly; the mushroom tagliatelle is addictive!
Indian
We LOVE some Indian spice. There are lots of great totally veggie Indian restaurants around (Lawrenceville Highway area), but they’re pretty lacking in atmosphere. For a celebration, though, these are top-notch, and very similar in their authentic high-end flavors.
- Tabla – Midtown
This is not your typical Indian fare: high-end, foodie experience in a lovely setting. We found this when we were walking by to go to another restaurant, and were completely enticed just by the aromas walking by! Try the Lassoni Cauliflower: think vegan buffalo chicken wings. - Bhojanic – Lenox (yes, the Around Lenox shopping center, but once you step inside you’ll be transported to another world!)
Similar to Tabla, incredible fare: I’m addicted to the All Tikki!!! Their website contains a Warning: Food Contains Flavor!!! - Madras Matra – Decatur / Lawrenceville Highway
VERY high end
- Restaurant Eugene – Midtown
Disclaimer: We haven’t been here, but we understand that it’s like the long-departed Woodfire Grill in that they always have a vegetarian tasting menu of what’s fresh, local and in season. It gets high marks everywhere I’ve looked, and is a posh dining experience from all accounts. I mean – look at this photo! - Bacchanalia – West Side
Of course, the quintessential (and maybe original) gastronomic staple of Atlanta. Also haven’t been since they moved, and for quite a while before that, but they always get raves STILL, after all these years. As I recall, they are very veg-friendly.
American / Southern
(Skip Empire State South and — pretty uninspired for my taste, and the server we had was snippy and downright racist.)
- King + Duke – Buckhead
Executive Chef EJ is a friend, formerly of Woodfire Grill, our old dearly departed haunt. - Cakes & Ale – Decatur
Sadly, it has closed its doors, but I can’t bring myself to remove the listing. In its place is The Deer & The Dove, a new offering from Chef Terry from Wrecking Bar. Haven’t yet tried it but will post an update when we do.
Mexican/Spanish:
- Escorpion – Midtown
One of the few upscale Mexican / Spanish restaurants in town. - Barcelona – Inman Park
Also very yummy and festive! We first discovered them in their original location in Norwalk, CT, but they’re definitely not your average chain. - Eclipse di Luna – Buckhead & Dunwoody
ONLY if you want a high-energy, festive celebration! It’s not for fine dining and conversation – live music and lots of chatter, but oh, so delicious. That said, I think the Dunwoody location is more subdued the times I’ve been there. - Verde – Brookhaven
Awesome tequilas, great tacos!!! - BarBacoa – Virginia Highlands
Food and tequilas are sensational, but it’s a “happening” scene, and we did not feel the love!