Vegetarian restaurants in Europe
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A
Hiltl
Hiltl has been a fixture of the Zürich health-nut scene since the turn of the century. It endured some lean times as it tried to establish itself in a hostile, meat-munching culture, but these days its combination of stylish vegetarian dishes and warm, family-run ambience pull in the crowds.
reviewed
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B
El Grillo Azul
Vegetarian visitors to Salamanca have a treat that's rare in Castilian towns – a real-life vegetarian restaurant. It's a buzzy place with attractive blue-and-white decor and a creative menu that includes a plato degustación (€11.50): a veritable veggie feast for two with taster portions of dishes like grilled seitan or tofu, vegetable soufflé, wild mushrooms and inventive salads.
reviewed
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C
Mildred’s
Central London’s most inventive veggie restaurant, Mildred’s heaves at lunchtime so don’t be shy about sharing a table in the sky-lit dining room. Expect the likes of roasted fennel and chickpea terrine and puy lentil casserole as well as more standard (and hugely portioned) salads and stir-fries. Drinks include juices, coffee, beer and organic wine.
reviewed
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D
Country Life
Prague’s first-ever health-food shop opened in 1991, and is an all-vegan cafeteria and sandwich bar offering inexpensive salads, sandwiches, pizzas, vegetarian goulash, sunflower-seed burgers and soy drinks. There is plenty of seating in the rear courtyard but it can still get crowded at lunchtime, so go early or buy sandwiches to go.
reviewed
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E
Terra
Our readers sing the praises of Terra for its superb vegetarian buffet (including vegan options) of salads, kebabs and curries, plus organic wines and juices. A fountain gurgles in the tree-shaded courtyard, lit by tealights after dark.
reviewed
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F
La Isla del Tesoro
La Isla del Tesoro is loaded with quirky charm – the dining area is like someone’s fantasy of a secret garden come to life. The cooking here is assured and wide-ranging in its influences; the jungle burger is typical in a menu that’s full of surprises. The weekday, lunchtime menú del día (€10) is more varied than most in Madrid. Our only complaint? The otherwise friendly waiters are often too keen to free up your table for the next punters on weekends.
reviewed
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G
Syrian Arab Friendship Club
Apart from being one of the best places to eat in Lefkosia, this is the ideal place for vegetarians. The meze is massive, so approach it with respect, and if you come for lunch, you won't be eating dinner. The large garden is laden with cooling fans and greenery, and children are welcome to play.
The service is superfriendly, and the wonderful food is an experience of its own: green beans, chick peas, tabouleh (bulgur-wheat and parsley salad) and plenty of meat too. Try the delicious mahalabia (a light, rice custard, served cold) dessert and, once you're so stuffed you can't move, puff on a nargileh.
reviewed
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H
Wrenkh
Wrenkh was long the cutting edge of vegetarian cuisine, and today is still the serrated edge – owner Christian Wrenkh has more recently introduced a handful of meat and fish dishes. The quality and presentation can be exquisite and everything is prepared with organic produce. Choose from the vibrant front section with its glass walls and chatty customers, or the quieter back room with its intimate booths.
reviewed
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I
Grand Appétit
Set back from Bastille in a small, quiet street, this place offers light fare such as miso soup and cereals plus strength-building bols garnis (bowls of rice and mixed vegetables) and assiettes (platters) for those with a grand appétit (big appetite). The menu features delicious, filling dishes served with 100% organic cereals, raw and cooked vegetables and seaweed.
reviewed
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J
Babette
You’re in for a feast at Babette’s, in a chic yet unpretentious warehouse-like interior of exposed brick walls and vintage painted signs. Food is delicious, with a sophisticated, creative twist (think tortiglioni with courgette and pistachio pesto), and the wine list is short but super. There’s a daily buffet (€10 Tuesday to Friday, €25 weekends).
reviewed
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K
Avocado
Avocado has a diverse menu, drawing on dishes from cuisines from around the world. Meatless versions of soups and salads, pasta and pelmeni are all featured (although there is no English-language menu, so bring your phrasebook). Grab a seat near the window to watch the passers-by on the boulevard, because the place is otherwise rather austere.
reviewed
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L
Napfényes Ízek
‘Sunny Tastes’ is a bit out of the way (though not if you’re staying on or near Andrássy út), but the wholesome foods and the speciality cakes are worth the trip. There is an organic shop where you can stock up on both packaged and baked goods, including excellent cakes. Set lunches are a bargain at 600Ft to 1100Ft.
reviewed
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M
Hermans Trädgårdscafé
The cakes aren’t always brilliant, but the vegetarian buffets here are unvaryingly fab. Get your aura glowing with soul-satisfying lasagne, stuffed vine leaves, crunchy potato wedges and Moroccan-inspired salads served in the barrel-vaulted basement or on the swoon-worthy summer terrace, complete with sea and city views.
reviewed
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N
Solrosen
A 1970s survivor, this laid-back student favourite is a Haga institution (note the photos of passed-on regulars above the counter). Pay tribute over soulful vegetarian dishes and a bountiful salad buffet. For the best value, choose one of the hot dishes on the menu board, which also include the salad buffet in the price.
reviewed
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O
Chutney
Left-leaning, boho-inclined Chutney feeds the arty masses on inspired vegetarian and vegan creations like potato pancakes, coconut stews and rich mushroom ravioli. The Skr75 lunch menu (11am to 5pm daily), with its generous helpings and divine homemade breads, is good value. Wash it all down with a glass of organic red.
reviewed
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P
Á Næstu Grösum
This first-rate vegie restaurant, in a cheerful orange room overlooking Laugavegur, offers several daily specials. It uses seasonal organic veg, and inventive dressings guaranteed to give even lettuce new appeal. Things get extra spicy on Indian nights (Friday and Saturday), and organic wine and beer are available.
reviewed
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Q
Tampopo
Fast and furiously efficient, you're in and out of this Asian fusion canteen-style restaurant before you can learn the difference between the various gorengs (noodles or rice). The food is uniformly excellent and well worth the 30-second wait. There are vegan, vego and allergy-sensitive meals available.
reviewed
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R
Mustard
In the cellar of an old mill, some tables view the still-turning wheel. Burgers and excellent pizza are the thing here. Go nuts and have the Boxty Burger, a vegetarian treat made from mashed potatoes, green onions and more. Be sure to start with the ‘garlic crust’, which comes with pesto. Yum.
reviewed
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S
Organic
As you wander into this sprawling vegetarian spot, to the left is the open kitchen, where you choose from a limited range of options that change from day to day. Servings are generous and imaginative. The salad buffet is copious and desserts are good. The set lunch costs €9.50 plus drinks.
reviewed
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T
Black Bo’s
You can’t accuse the chef at Black Bo’s, a popular vegetarian and vegan eatery just off the Royal Mile, of being unadventurous. Check the daily specials, which are always interesting – beetroot and cashew balls stuffed with feta cheese, with chilli and garlic yogurt, for example.
reviewed
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U
Mondo Bio
Flying the banner for organic vegetarian food, this bright shop-cum-restaurant serves a limited range of meat-free dishes. The menu, chalked up outside, changes daily but might include zuppa di soia verde (soybean soup) and polpette di tofu (tofu balls).
reviewed
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V
Ajdovo Zrno
A relatively recent arrival on the Ljubljana dining scene, 'Buckwheat Grain' serves soups, sandwiches, fried vegetables and lots of different salads. And they have terrific, freshly squeezed juices, including the unusual rose-petal juice with lemon. Enter from Mali trg.
reviewed
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W
Sarasate
This bright, uncluttered vegetarian restaurant on the 1st floor offers excellent veggie dishes and gluten-free options. It's run by the same people as the Baserri, so the quality is undoubted. It's well worth getting stuck into one of its €10.50 menús del día.
reviewed
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X
Al Natural
Tucked away behind the Spanish parliament, Al Natural has an intimate ambience and terrific vegetarian food. There are the usual suspects such as salads and pastas, but some welcome creative touches, including grilled provolone cheeses, make this a terrific choice.
reviewed
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Y
Betty’s
Some consider this the top vegetarian restaurant in the country. The menu’s small on any given day, but there’s always something new. It’s rounded out by tiny tables and a decent wine selection, and everyone says to save room for dessert.
reviewed
