Vegetarian restaurants in South America
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Bio
So your better half’s a devoted carnivore but you’re dying for green cuisine? Don’t drag them kicking and screaming to an extreme organic eatery, just take them to Bio for fantastically fresh pastas and salads. The homemade ginger lemonade is heavenly.
reviewed
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B
La Esquina de Las Flores
One of BA’s most enduring vegetarian alternatives, this modern restaurant also has a small health food store on the ground floor that sells soy flour, whole-wheat breads and organic mate (tea), among other things. There’s a small fast-food section, but if you prefer more relaxed surroundings, go upstairs and choose from the tasty and nutritious menu. There’s even a dish for macrobiotics. There’s another branch at Gurruchaga 1630 in Palermo, where free workshops on healthy cooking are occasionally available.
reviewed
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C
Arte Sano
This small, bright and pleasant health-food eatery cooks up excellent dishes, such as a zucchini, eggplant and tomato tart, soy burgers and veggie stir-fry. Desserts are good for the body, like the yogurt with granola or fruit salad. The tiny bakery attached sells things like brown rice, powdered ginger and whole-wheat breads. Also on offer are yoga, tai chi and dance classes, along with natural food workshops (for more info, see www.artesano-naturista.com.ar).
reviewed
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El Paisano
Despite the bright florescent lighting and faint smell of paint (it doubles as the owner's art studio), El Paisano serves up some of the most nurturing veggie food in town. Try the wholesome veggie surprise known as 'Concierto en A major from Belegum de su Secreto,' one of several oddly named dishes.
reviewed
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D
Trawen
Like everywhere else in town, there’s an outfitter element to this innovative and wonderfully casual deli that churns out some of Pucón’s most interesting flavor combinations: ravioli with Roquefort and roasted apples, Antarctic krill empanadas. It’s kind of a writer hangout, too.
reviewed
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E
El Huerto
This earthy restaurant’s changing vegetarian fare is a big hit with both hip young things and ladies who lunch. Some dishes err on the stodgy side, but most are fresh and tasty. Next door, smaller Café La Huerta does salads and sandwiches on weekdays.
reviewed
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Café del Patio
Locals rave about the superfresh vegetarian specialties at this cute eatery, where the best tables are clustered in a brightly painted courtyard. As well as tofu- and seitan-based stir-fries, there are salads, sandwiches and a few fish options.
reviewed
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Govinda
True to form, the Hare Krishna-run Govinda serves up its hippie vegetarian menús without burning a hole in your pocket. The environs are cramped and dank, though.
reviewed
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Verdellama
Some might find it hard to believe that steak-obsessed Buenos Aires has produced its first vegetarian, organic and raw food restaurant, but it was just a matter of time. Well-prepared ‘spaghetti’ (shredded zucchini), sliced vegetable salads and a beet soup with almond milk are sound and tasty choices, while the excellent licuados (fruit shakes) can be amended with spirulina or a wheatgrass shot. The desserts are surprisingly good as well. Except for chapatti bread, nothing served here has been cooked over 40°C.
reviewed
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Lotos
Right next door to La Esquina de las Flores is this equally renowned vegetarian spot. It’s cafeteria-style, so just point at whatever looks good. Choices include delicious, healthy soups, extensive salad ingredients and filling main dishes. In the basement is a good health food store (open 8:30am to 8pm Monday to Friday, to 4pm Saturday), where dry noodles, fresh-baked breads, organic tea, whole grains, herbal remedies and fresh tofu await your inspection.
reviewed
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K
La Huerta
Here’s one of the Microcentro’s noncarnivore meccas, attracting health-conscious businessfolk at midday. It offers up a buffet full of vegetarian pasta, pizza, empanadas (vegetable pie), omelets, tarts, breaded eggplant and squash stew, along with plenty of salad ingredients and healthy juices. It’s on the 2nd floor, with an efficient and spartan atmosphere that won’t win any prizes for decor.
reviewed
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Luna Llena
The small outdoor restaurant at the Hostal Sol y Luna is run with a motherly hand by doña María, and has a well-priced, tasty menu of Bolivian and European dishes including vegetarian options. An extraordinary treat if you have a group – or can muster one – is the Indonesian buffet (B$35 per person) for eight to 20 people, which must be booked a day in advance.
reviewed
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Verde Que Te Quiero Verde
One of Concepción's few genuinely good restaurants. It serves inspiring and inexpensive vegetarian food, while its service is spot on and reliable. Choose from a range of healthy dishes, including green lasagna and hearty sandwiches. There are also some inventive juices (apple and mint). Upstairs out the back, a gallery and artists' studios are sometimes open for visits.
reviewed
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Altai Oasis Restaurant
The peaceful balcony restaurant at this loveable spot 15 minutes' walk from town serves coffee, drinks and a range of vegetarian dishes. There are also T-bone steaks and an Eastern European touch, with Polish borscht and tasty goulash. It's a great place to just sit with a drink too, with views over the valley and the tinkle of wind chimes.
reviewed
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Granix
Stepping into this large, modern lacto-ovo-vegetarian eatery will make you wonder if porteños have had enough steak already. Pick from the many hot appetizers and mains; there’s also a great salad bar and plenty of desserts. It’s only open for weekday lunches, and located in a shopping mall. Takeout is available.
reviewed
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N
Fontes
Hidden in a nondescript shopping plaza, this tiny, low-key restaurant is worth seeking out if you’re after a decent vegetarian meal. The menu changes daily but features shiitake-filled manioc pastries, green salads, roasted eggplant and the like. On Saturday, the rich, smoked-tofu feijoada always draws a crowd.
reviewed
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O
Sabor Salud Pizzería
If all Italians were vegetarian, this is where they would eat. Flavor and health are the bywords for this little place, which also serves up spinach lasagna and other pastas, soy burgers, yogurt, fruit salads, vegetable salads, omelets, garlic bread, muesli - it's almost enough to entice hardened carnivores. Almost.
reviewed
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Vegetariano Social Club
On Saturday vegetarians can sample Brazil’s signature dish at this Zenlike spot when tofu feijoada is served. At other times, VSC serves a small (10-dish) lunch buffet, while the more elaborate evening à la carte menu features risottos, yakisoba, heart-of-palm stroganoff and other inventive dishes.
reviewed
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Lemon Bee
Extending back from busy Plateros street, this lime-green-colored eatery and lounge with globe lamps may not have the swiftest service, but each small plate is exquisitely done, from salads with glazed fruit and Andean cheeses to lomo (beef) in gourmet wine sauce. The cocktail list is lusciously long.
reviewed
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Pura Vida
Wheatgrass shots, anyone? This sleek and uber-healthy eatery helps counteract the effects of the high cholesterol porteño diet. Try the grilled chicken sandwich with mango and cilantro or the avocado citrus salad – you’ll feel less guilty when you’re indulging in a steak and a half-liter of Malbec later on.
reviewed
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S
Uno’s
Tasty and remarkably cheap, with vegetarian buffet fare served on plastic, prison-style trays. They also do good fruit salads and soy burgers, but there’s no alcohol served. Blink and you’ll miss it, though – there is no sign outside and it’s barely larger than a walk-in closet.
reviewed
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La Estaka
A lively gathering point late into the night, La Estaka is also recommended for its juicy steaks, sinful dulce de leche (super-sweet condensed-milk spread) crepes, chicken curries and addictively good vegetarian options. It strives for a trendy, subterranean atmosphere and has a fireplace.
reviewed
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El Tercer Ojito
Recognizable by the huge lump of quartz outside, this informal New Age restaurant serves great vegetarian and carnivore-friendly dishes. Its international repertoire includes Peruvian dishes, curries and occasional sushi. Its pleasant patio sports cacti, murals and even a turtle in a bathtub.
reviewed
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Tempeh
Don’t be intimidated by the new-age music. This is one of Centro’s best vegetarian restaurants, serving a wide assortment of flavorful dishes, including soups, pastas, veggie burgers, tabouli, fried yucca, soba noodles, vegan sushi and desserts. The old colonial walls add to the charm.
reviewed
