Hit me with your vegan options in DMV

[Anonymous]

I've been trying to go more plant based -I already don't eat red meat, pork, poultry. I eat eggs/dairy but try to make good choices as to the source.

I also recently watched "You are what you eat" and it was honestly fascinating. A lot about the meat sourcing, I already know. And it did not focus on animal welfare, which is a big thing for me. But the effect of plant based eating, over a short study, was interesting.

One of the things that holds me back is finding good subs for things that I like. I admit that. Food is an experience not just fuel. And vegan food often suffers from a lack of taste or originality (IMO). When I eat out I don't always want a portobello mushrooms or for someone to stick squash/zucchini/eggplant in something and call it vegan. Anyway, I came across some restaurants and options on this show that are not available here (unfortunately). But some that are (Miyoko's "cheese", for example) and are REALLY good.

Looking for good vegan restaurants, shops, food stuffs. Do we even have that good of a vegan scene here? (There was this deli-type shop in NYC that is vegan and it looked amazing.) Bonus points if in NoVa as I no longer work in DC.

THX!
PS-not interested in if you "can't give up meat" or are not interested in this way of eating. That's fine for you. Please scroll on by to a thread more relevant to you.

[Anonymous]

Planta Queen Restaurant on New Hampshire Avenue!

[Anonymous]

Plants Queen is great. Also Vegz in Adams Morgan for amazing Indian (not a beautiful eat-in environment but the food is amazing)

[Anonymous]

Not Planta.

[Anonymous]

Here's a good list: https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-vegan-restaurants-dc

The tasting menu at Oyster Oyster would certainly qualify as an experience! Some other fantastic places can accommodate vegans, e.g. Little Pearl. And lots of types of cuisines have many vegan options - Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, lots of Asian cuisines - you might just need to check about things like sauces and broths, if the restaurant doesn't clearly identify vegan options.

[Anonymous]

Equinox for sitdown, sticky fingers (bakery and diner), pow pow for fast food, DC vegan and botanical bar. Ethiopian restaurants often have a fasting menu that is vegan.

[Anonymous]

Mandalay in silvernspring. Ask for nonfish sauce

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been trying to go more plant based -I already don't eat red meat, pork, poultry. I eat eggs/dairy but try to make good choices as to the source.

I also recently watched "You are what you eat" and it was honestly fascinating. A lot about the meat sourcing, I already know. And it did not focus on animal welfare, which is a big thing for me. But the effect of plant based eating, over a short study, was interesting.

One of the things that holds me back is finding good subs for things that I like. I admit that. Food is an experience not just fuel. And vegan food often suffers from a lack of taste or originality (IMO). When I eat out I don't always want a portobello mushrooms or for someone to stick squash/zucchini/eggplant in something and call it vegan. Anyway, I came across some restaurants and options on this show that are not available here (unfortunately). But some that are (Miyoko's "cheese", for example) and are REALLY good.

Looking for good vegan restaurants, shops, food stuffs. Do we even have that good of a vegan scene here? (There was this deli-type shop in NYC that is vegan and it looked amazing.) Bonus points if in NoVa as I no longer work in DC.

THX!
PS-not interested in if you "can't give up meat" or are not interested in this way of eating. That's fine for you. Please scroll on by to a thread more relevant to you.

I have never been a fan of vegan options available outside. I cook my own stuff watching videos and recipes. After switching to plant based life, I have also started enjoying cooking. It is cheaper, fun and I can add garnishes the way I like!

As for the stores, Wholefoods is good. They have vegan cream cheese (Oatley), vegan sour cream, vegan yogurt etc. I love to go shop there. They also have vegan cupcakes (chocolate, vanilla always available).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been trying to go more plant based -I already don't eat red meat, pork, poultry. I eat eggs/dairy but try to make good choices as to the source.

I also recently watched "You are what you eat" and it was honestly fascinating. A lot about the meat sourcing, I already know. And it did not focus on animal welfare, which is a big thing for me. But the effect of plant based eating, over a short study, was interesting.

One of the things that holds me back is finding good subs for things that I like. I admit that. Food is an experience not just fuel. And vegan food often suffers from a lack of taste or originality (IMO). When I eat out I don't always want a portobello mushrooms or for someone to stick squash/zucchini/eggplant in something and call it vegan. Anyway, I came across some restaurants and options on this show that are not available here (unfortunately). But some that are (Miyoko's "cheese", for example) and are REALLY good.

Looking for good vegan restaurants, shops, food stuffs. Do we even have that good of a vegan scene here? (There was this deli-type shop in NYC that is vegan and it looked amazing.) Bonus points if in NoVa as I no longer work in DC.

THX!
PS-not interested in if you "can't give up meat" or are not interested in this way of eating. That's fine for you. Please scroll on by to a thread more relevant to you.

I have never been a fan of vegan options available outside. I cook my own stuff watching videos and recipes. After switching to plant based life, I have also started enjoying cooking. It is cheaper, fun and I can add garnishes the way I like!

As for the stores, Wholefoods is good. They have vegan cream cheese (Oatley), vegan sour cream, vegan yogurt etc. I love to go shop there. They also have vegan cupcakes (chocolate, vanilla always available).

Same PP here.
Restaurants - Mazadar in Fairfax for Mediterranean, Saravana Palace in Fairfax for Indian, Mama Tigre in Fairfax for Mexican, RASA in Dunn Loring for fast food Chipotle kind of bowls (but they are yummy)

[Anonymous]

Trader Joe's also has a TON of vegan snacks, dips, baked goods, frozen foods, etc.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE all those suggestions and will check out the ones I haven't been too. But, the place in NY (Plantega), which I saw in the movie, I don't see anything like that here. I would have thought a place like Mosaic would be ripe for a shop like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I LOVE all those suggestions and will check out the ones I haven't been too. But, the place in NY (Plantega), which I saw in the movie, I don't see anything like that here. I would have thought a place like Mosaic would be ripe for a shop like that.

try Loving hut

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe's also has a TON of vegan snacks, dips, baked goods, frozen foods, etc.

Just what a vegan needs...more processed crap.

Going to dine out vegan is possible nearly anywhere. Just be smart. Salads are a no-brainer. Sometimes that is your only option. We have been vegan for 20 years and gluten free (actual celiacs, not just trendy) and we make it work. Ask your server, ask management, many times they are happy to work around the menu.

Korea has been the best place for vegan options imo. It's mostly cultural...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trader Joe's also has a TON of vegan snacks, dips, baked goods, frozen foods, etc.

Just what a vegan needs...more processed crap.

Going to dine out vegan is possible nearly anywhere. Just be smart. Salads are a no-brainer. Sometimes that is your only option. We have been vegan for 20 years and gluten free (actual celiacs, not just trendy) and we make it work. Ask your server, ask management, many times they are happy to work around the menu.

Korea has been the best place for vegan options imo. It's mostly cultural...

Thanks. And i get that. But sometimes you don't want a workaround. I want good tasting, satisfying vegan food.

[Anonymous]

This Khao and Makan (both in Columbia Heights area) have great vegan options. Also read about this new Vietnamese place in falls church, called Chay, that I’ve been meaning to check out.
For recipes I like Korean Vegan and Vegan Richa.