Vegetarian/vegan restaurant suggestions in Seattle area?

[divingbiker]

I'm going to be near Seattle at a retreat with about a dozen other vegetarians and vegans next month. Rather than hiring a caterer, we want to go out to as many of the great vegetarian restaurants in the area as we can.

So far, Xmcshifterson has recommended Pabla Indian Cuisine in Renton, and Salsabike recommended Carmelita. We'll be in the Renton area but are willing to drive within reason.

Anyone got any others? We're going out for 8 meals, so all options are welcome. Thanks!

[HipGnosis6]

I live in Seattle proper, in the University District - and there are half a dozen vegetarian/vegan restaurants within a few blocks!

I highly recommend the Wayward - it's on University Way, north of 50th by a couple of blocks on the west side of the street. I haven't tried Pizza Pi, but it's a vegan pizzeria and is in the same area.

[Bliss]

If you love Thai food, I fully recommend Araya's Place - a Thai vegan and vegetarian restaurant, located in the University district of Seattle. They have a huge menu --- full of authentic and tasty food, and the atmosphere is cozy and pleasant. I haven't tried their lunch buffet, but it might make a fun group luncheon at around $8 per person.

They're right off of I-5 freeway (1121 NE 45th St, Seattle). Hope you enjoy your time in Washington!

[NbyNW]

Try Sutra (http://www.sutraseattle.com/)

Inventive and beautifully presented. Even my omnivore husband loved it!

Seatings are limited, so best to check their schedule and call ahead for a reservation.

[Bliss]

Try Sutra (http://www.sutraseattle.com/)

Inventive and beautifully presented. Even my omnivore husband loved it!

Seatings are limited, so best to check their schedule and call ahead for a reservation.

Wow, I can't wait to try this place out myself. Sounds like such a cool place...I love their concept.

[divingbiker]

Taking notes...Thanks.

[XMcShiftersonX]

Hey - I just responded in the other thread, but I'll repost it here just to make it easier! I've been happily vegetarian for 12 years and vegan for 10, and it's definitely in part to Seattle having the best vegan food in the world :D Okay... I'm a little biased... haha. I also second someone else's suggestion to eat at Araya's, good food!

My favorites are Bamboo Garden (All vegan except for the fortune cookies, my fave dishes are the Chicken Chow Mein, Chicken Fried Rice, Corn Chowder, and the Sweet N Sour Chicken Balls), Hillside Quickie (all vegan, particularly the one in the U district - any sandwiches with Seitan are good, the Peanut Butter Cup Milkshake is the most amazing thing I've ever eaten, and the Mac N Cheese is delicious), Hillside quickies also has a location in Tacoma that has a really good Sunday brunch all day, Pizza Pi (also in the U district, but the other end, all vegan pizza place, my favorite is the "Hawaiian" Calzone, #4 I think. They also have the most amazing salads with "Chicken" strips, bleau cheese dressing, root bear floats, ice cream sundaes, apple-cinnamon pockets kind of like dessert calzones, etc. etc.), right across the street from them, and from the same owners as Pizza Pi is Wayward Cafe for the most amazing vegan breakfast you could imagine (it's all vegan, think pancakes, sausage, tofu scramble, crepes, waffles, cinnamon rolls, etc.), AND right across from them is the all vegan grocery store, Sidecar for Pigs Peace! Cafe Flora is another good vegetarian gourmet place, with a few vegan options on Capitol Hill, I actually prefer it to Carmelita's (My favorite is the French Dip with au jus and sweet potato fries). I'm sure you could look up all these places online, along with their menus. You should also probably check out Mighty-O Donuts considering they were voted one of the best doughnut places in the country and they happen to be all vegan (also in the U district). There's a lot more, but those are the best of the best. Have fun!

P.S. Something a little closer to where you'll be staying is Georgetown Liquor Company (south Seattle), they have really good salads and sandwiches. It's vegetarian with vegan options, but they can make almost anything vegan. The Best Pho and Thai is a non-vegetarian restaurant right in Renton on Rainier, but my husband and I always go there and they've never had a problem understanding our needs. They have tofu, and my favorite dish is the Phad See-ew with tofu, and no egg.

P.S.S - They just opened up a new bar/restaurant that is all vegan on Capitol Hill called Highline, which everyone seems to love. My husband and I went there once and it was pretty good, all bar type food. Let me know if there's any other places you'd like to know of, particularly if there is a type of food you're looking for. Whew, I keep thinking of new things to add!

[NbyNW]

There's also Poppy (http://www.poppyseattle.com/). Head chef used to be at The Herb Farm.

It's not exclusively vegetarian, but the vegetarian options look awesome! It's a bit of a different concept than most people are accustomed to. You get lots of small dishes with several "main" options. Some people love it, others not so much (I have a friend who says she likes to have more choice, for example). The quality of what you get is excellent.

[divingbiker]

Wow, thanks, everyone! Now the hard part will be deciding where to go. Guess I should plan on gaining a few pounds...:)

[Jen72]

I'm not even a vegan but Pizza Pi just north of the University has the best pizza I've ever had. It's a hole in the wall place but truly delicious. My favorite is the mushroom lovers. There is another one called Plum in Capitol Hill that is absolutely to die for. The Jamaican Jerk sliders are incredible.

[MM_QFC!]

DB - you may already be out here and I checked all of the wonderful responses; yep, you've got all that I would've suggested and I even learned of a couple more (thanks NbyNW!)...have a yummy visit!
Mary

[divingbiker]

Just had dinner at Carmelita and it was amazing! The friend I'm staying with tonight lives just two blocks from the restaurant.

Sorry I won't have time to meet any of you this trip. The retreat starts tomorrow, and we'll be making our way through the restaurant list. Thanks so much for all the suggestions!

[salsabike]

Just had dinner at Carmelita and it was amazing! The friend I'm staying with tonight lives just two blocks from the restaurant.

Sorry I won't have time to meet any of you this trip. The retreat starts tomorrow, and we'll be making our way through the restaurant list. Thanks so much for all the suggestions!

Oh, glad you went there! I LOVE the place. Have a nice time here and we'll look forward to meeting you another time.

[MM_QFC!]

Yep, Carmelita's is great; so, you're in the Greenwood area...hope you get to the waterfront at sunset at some point...even for a relaxing stroll.
There are miles and miles of waterfront areas in/around Seattle. You'll see that nowhere does blue and green like Seattle and the sunsets are amazing!
Enjoy...
Mary

[XMcShiftersonX]

Just had dinner at Carmelita and it was amazing! The friend I'm staying with tonight lives just two blocks from the restaurant.

Sorry I won't have time to meet any of you this trip. The retreat starts tomorrow, and we'll be making our way through the restaurant list. Thanks so much for all the suggestions!

Great! I'll be interested in seeing what you thought of the other restaurants you visit.

-Jessica

[divingbiker]

Loved the French dip at cafe flora for lunch.:)

[kmehrzad]

Loved the French dip at cafe flora for lunch.:)

What are you doing posting in the Northwest area?? (I know, I know, you're out of town). ;)

[withm]

Loved the French dip at cafe flora for lunch.:)

OK, I'll bite. What's a (vegan) French Dip? I am very intrigued. Please elaborate.

[divingbiker]

OK, I'll bite. What's a (vegan) French Dip? I am very intrigued. Please elaborate.

Portobello mushrooms instead of beef. Yum.

[withm]

Portobello mushrooms instead of beef. Yum.

Well funny you should say that - that is what I had for dinner - open face Portobello Mushroom Sarnie - basically a roasted Portobello with sauce of garlic, sundried tomatoes, thyme, butter and grated parmesean cheese but you could leave off the cheese. Served on good bread with dijon mustard. mmmmmmm

[divingbiker]

Thanks to everyone for their restaurant suggestions. I had a great visit to Seattle.

We ended up going to the Wayward Cafe for brunch (excellent vegan biscuits and gravy), Jhanjay in Ballard for Thai, and Pabla for Indian. Others went to Georgetown Liquor Company, some twice.

All were fantastic!

Can't wait to come back again to try the rest.:)