Top Ten Vegetarian/Vegan Dining Options in the Palm Beaches

Dining out in the Palm Beaches (which is loosely defined as West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens) includes many options for vegetarians and vegans with a wide range of choices: the hole-in-the-wall takeout joint, the casual cafe, the neighborhood eatery and the sit-down white table-clothed restaurant. So, if you’re looking for fresh, organic or just plain delicious food in the Palm Beach area, consider any of the following (in no particular order):

• Christopher’s Kitchen
• The Bee
• Darbster
• The Vegan Cafe
• The Middle East Bakery and Grocery
• The Chickpea Grill and Hummus Bar
• Nature’s Way
• Joy Noodles and Rice
• Kitchen
• Avocado Grill

CHRISTOPHER’S KITCHEN

Description:  Christopher’s Kitchen serves delicious made to order certified organic plant-based food. This is the place to go for bold and colorful food (the finished plate look as good as the food tastes). Enjoy lunch or dinner inside the air-conditioned light-filled sparkling clean cafe or at one of the outdoor tables by the fountain.

Dinner can also be enjoyed at a table in a more formal dining room or at the large slab community table. There is also a wine bar and a market for take out.

Menu:  The menu showcases more than a dozen appetizers and a wide selection of salads (the Macro Kale is delicious), sandwiches (the Sun or Garden Burger dressed all the way are phenomenal), homemade soups, wraps, tacos, pizza (excellent), pasta (try the Penne Pasta), and bowls (the Szechuan Bowl is a cornucopia of flavors, colors, and textures). Scrumptious desserts include the Pumpkin Pie, the  Billionaire Bar and the Almond Butter Ball.  Cold pressed organic juices and non-dairy milks made on-site. Wine and beer also served.

Cost:  Pricey but worth it. Appetizers from $7-$18; Salads (full-sized) from $13-$16, sandwiches from $12-$14, wraps from $13-$15, entrees from $13-$17; desserts from $1-$12, and juices/smoothies (16 ounces ) from $6-$14.

Location:   4783 PGA Boulevard, Palm Beach Gardens, Fl (conveniently located a few blocks west off 95). 561-318-6191

Hours:  Open 7 days a week (Monday – Saturday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm)

Reservations:  First come first served. Go early especially during the season as tables fill up quickly.

Website:  www.christopherskitchenfl.com.

Other Info:  Meraki Juice Kitchen – an outpost of Christopher’s Kitchen – at 328 Fern Street in downtown West Palm Beach opened in April, 2016.  Click here to go to the website.

THE BEE

Description:  A 4 in 1: cafe, juicery, market, and yoga studio. A casual cafe that feels like you’re in someone’s kitchen or living room.  Warm, friendly service – not for those in a rush. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch with a good selection of packaged and prepared foods for takeout.

Menu: The cafe serves a wide variety of breakfast options including a delicious Fruity Acai Bowl and Avocado Toast.  For lunch consider ordering the Mantra Roll (sunflower seed pate rolled with sprouts, vegetables, and spicy orange maple miso dressing) or the Mezze Platter: quinoa tabbouleh, hummus, olive tapenade, roasted tomatoes, raw falafel, roasted zucchini, sprouted dehydrated spice nuts with pita chips and house made focaccia. Organic cold pressed juices are made on site.

Cost:  Pricey. Breakfast bowls are $10-$14 (oatmeal with fruit at $14 is a bit steep); soups are $7-$8; appetizers and munchies are $10-$14; salads are $10-$16; entrees (“Plates For the Soul”) are $15-$17; and Backyard Bowls (full-sized) are $11-$15. Side dishes are $3-$12 while juices and smoothies are $8-$12.

Location: 123 Datura Street in downtown West Palm Beach along the waterfront. 561-651-9796.

Hours:  The cafe is open 7 days a week from 7:00 am – 2:30 pm

Reservations: Not necessary

Website:  www.thebeewpb.com.

DARBSTER

Description: A vegan restaurant with weekly specials for brunch on weekends and dinner during the week. Indoor and outdoor seating (pet-friendly) in a beautiful herb garden or covered deck.

Menu: Darbster specializes in vegan interpretations of classic dishes. A wide selection of appetizers (nachos, beet tartare, flatbread pizza), salads, sandwiches (Southwestern Burrito, Portobello Cheese Steak), tacos, living food (pesto lasagna, avocado curry stew) and entrees (vegan interpretations of Beef Wellington, Seared Scallops, Meatloaf, Tacos, Mac and Cheese, Eggs Benedict and more).

Finish the meal with a scrumptious dessert : dark chocolate brownie, carrot cake, chocolate ganache cake, raw strawberry cheesecake homemade vegan ice cream, or if you can’t make up your mind, order the Dessert Sampler.

Cost: Brunch entrees are $11-$14; salads are $7-$12, sandwiches ($9-$13), sides are $2-$5, desserts are $5-$18, appetizers are $8-$12, dinner entrees are $9-$17, drinks are $2-$5. Wine and beer also served. 20% off your entrée if you bring your four-legged friend on Sunday from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm.

Location: Located in the south end of West Palm Beach at 8020 South Dixie Highway. 561-586-2622 and 6299 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton

Reservations: Recommend for dinner on weekends. 561-586-2622

Hours: Tuesday thru Friday from 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm for dinner and Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am – 3:00 pm for brunch and 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm for dinner on Saturday and 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm on Sunday.

Reservations: Recommended

Website: www.darbster.com.

THE VEGAN CAFE

Description:  The Vegan Cafe is a casual restaurant that specializes in moderately priced freshly prepared plant-based foods for breakfast and lunch.

Menu: The cafe serves a wide variety of fresh squeezed juices, smoothies, house made soups, salads, sandwiches, bowls, wraps, and more. Try the Zucchini Noodle Bowl made with zucchini noodles, sprouted beans, sunflower seeds, and an assortment of fresh veggies with an avocado based sauce that can be mixed or ordered on the side.  For sweet potato fans, consider the Curry made with sweet potatoes, chick peas, and green peas blended with a curry sauce and served over brown rice or fresh greens and sprouts.

Cost: Moderate. Starters are $6-$9, entrees are $7-$14, wraps are $9, salads (large) are $10, soups are $5-$10, and fresh juices and smoothies are all under $9. Fresh Kombucha also offered. Daily entrée and dessert specials (try the Orange Mango Cheesecake if available) also offered.

Hours:  Monday to Friday from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Location: 416 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach, Florida 561-318-5045

Reservations: Not necessary

Website:   www.the-vegan-cafe.net.

THE MIDDLE EAST BAKERY AND GROCERY

Description: A virtual institution in West Palm Beach, the Middle East Bakery and Grocery looks like a dive from the outside (if I posted a picture, you wouldn’t go) so  ignore the exterior and walk in – you won’t regret it. Definitely a take out place. This is the hole in the wall you will come to love.

Menu: Inside is a virtual cornucopia of mouth-watering traditional middle-eastern foods and desserts including a variety of hummus, tabbouleh, pita bread, feta cheese, olives, falafel, pastries, and more. Don’t forget to grab a few boxes of Gold’N Krackle Flatbread: various types of pita baked to perfection (Classic with Sea Salt, Cheese Oregano, Cheese and Herb, Garlic) or their homemade pita bread.

Cost:  Inexpensive

Location:  327 Fifth Street in downtown West Palm Beach. 561-659-4050.

Hours:  Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Reservations: No

Website:  No

THE CHICKPEA GRILL AND HUMMUS BAR

Description: Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist and of course, delicious fresh house made hummus made from 100% organic chick peas. Dine in or take out. The place for both vegans and non-vegans. Commonly known around town as “The Chickpea.”

Menu: The entire menu (except the pita bread which is made and delivered daily from a local bakery) is soy free and made fresh daily. This is the middle eastern version of Chipotle where the customer picks a base (pita wrap, bowl, or platter) followed rice, hummus, or salad and a protein (hummus, falafel, chicken, or beef), a sauce (4 to choose from) and any or all of the 8 toppings. Side or take out portions of hummus (6 flavors), spreads (including mhamara, babaganoush, tzatsiki, and mediterranean guacamole), side salads, and extras (stuffed grape leaves, falafel, pita chips, pita bread and more) are also available.

Cost:  Inexpensive with all entrees $8-$12, all inclusive.

Location: 400 Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach

Reservations:  No

Hours:  Monday to Saturday from 11:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Website:  www.the-chickpea.com

NATURE’S WAY CAFE

Description: The first and longest running (since 1978)  “health food” restaurant/cafe  in Palm Beach County with 9 locations (three locations in central West Palm Beach (below is the Nature’s Way on Narcissus Avenue in West Palm Beach) and four in the northern part of Palm Beach County – North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Juno Beach – one in south-central (Lake Worth) and one in the southern portion of the county (Delray Beach).

Menu: Nature’s Way has paved the way with a menu that includes fresh juices, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, homemade soups, daily pasta special, and frozen yogurts. For sandwiches, choose your bread and veggies. My favorite: the Californian: fresh avocado served with romaine lettuce, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, shredded carrots and cucumbers (melted Jack Cheese is optional) on whole grain bread. The frozen yogurt covered with fresh fruit and trail mix is also delicious.

Cost: Inexpensive with most sandwiches and salads $5-$9, juices and shakes are $4-$6.

Location:  Click here for the nine locations.

Reservations: No

Hours: Each location has unique hours but most of the cafes are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Website:  www.natureswaycafe.com.

JOY NOODLES AND RICE

Description:  This is the neighborhood place for delicious Asian food and especially noodle or rice bowls. The restaurant is known as both Joy Noodles and Rice and Joy Noodles and Asian Cuisine but around town, everyone refers to the restaurant as “Joy Noodle.” Lunch and dinner are served with a menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options for those on a plant-based diet.

Menu:  The menu is extensive with appetizers, soups, rice dishes, noodle bowls, salads, desserts, wine and beer. The Japanese Udon Noodle Miso Soup with Vegetables is delicious as is the Korean Noodle Soup made with buckwheat Soba Noodles.

Cost: Moderate with appetizers $5-$10, salads $4, soups $6-$7 and entrees $14-$26.

Location:  2200 South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach.

Reservations: Recommended for dinner, especially on weekends and for large parties. 561-655-5212

Hours:  Monday to Saturday for lunch (11:30 am – 2:30 pm) and dinner (5:00 pm – 9:30 pm).

Website:  www.joynoodles.net.

KITCHEN

Description: Kitchen is one of the best restaurants in West Palm Beach and although the menu emphasizes meat, poultry and fish dishes, the staff bend over backwards to accommodate vegetarians and vegans. The classically trained chef was previously the private chef to Tiger Woods, and his wife is the smiling gracious host that makes you feel that nothing is impossible at Kitchen. The staff is extremely courteous and attentive.

Menu:  On a recent visit, I started with the Kitchen Salad (chopped greens with lots of veggies, toasted amaranth and lemon balsamic dressing) followed by the Eggplant Portobello Lasagna, Arugula, Tomato Ragout which is a vegetarian version of the classic lasagna dish, all of which were on the menu. For more options, ask your server. A side of Dill Roasted Cauliflower was delicious and the Pumpkin Bread Pudding was heavenly.  The Strawberry Shortcake is also scrumptious. 

Cost: Pricey but worth it.

Location: Located at 319 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach (in the area known as Antique Row). The restaurant is in a shopping center and although the atmosphere feels more like a cafe, this is a place where foodies flock to.

Reservations:  Highly recommended.  561-249-2281

Hours: Kitchen is only open for dinner Monday thru Saturday from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Website:  www.kitchenpb.com.

AVOCADO GRILL

Description; The name says it all. For those of us who subscribe to “an avocado a day…..,” this is the place to eat but you don’t have to love avocados to truly appreciate the delicious food served at Avocado Grill. Offering farm to table artisanal cuisine, Avocado Grill is a locavore’s dream restaurant with creative plates that appeal to many – vegetarians, vegans, omnivores, and carnivores. 

Menu:  Avocado Grill has a lunch, dinner, and brunch menu. Start with the guacamole – chunks of fresh mashed avocado with cilantro, lime, onion, tomato, and jalapeño or a series of small plates (Curried Cauliflower and Chickpeas with coconut milk, Thai basil and pine nuts, Warm Butternut Squash and Brussel Sprout Salad with cranberry garlic dressing and hazelnuts, or Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms) or a variety of plates that fall under  the categories of pasta, vegetables, salads, and more.

Under the category of sushi is a “Veggie Delight” – quinoa, green beans, roasted tomato, cucumber, avocado, carrots, bell peppers, brussel sprouts, and pesto – that is a colorful delicious cornucopia of flavors and textures.

Cost: Most small plates and salads range from $6 – $12 with the large plates and pasta from $11 – $26.

Location:  Located in downtown West Palm Beach just a few steps from the Intracoastal Waterway at 125 Datura Street.

Reservations: Highly recommended, especially on the weekend. 561-623-0822.

Hours:  Open for lunch Monday – Friday from 11:30 – 2:30; Dinner Monday – Thursday from 4:30 – 10:00 and Friday – Saturday from 4:30 – 11:00 and Sunday from 4:30 – 9:30.  Brunch is served on Saturday from 11:30 – 2:30 and Sunday from 11:00 – 3:00.

Website:  www.avocadogrillwpb.com