11 best vegetarian restaurants in Boston

Lulu Green serves organic, seasonal foods and cold pressed juices. Located in South Boston, Lulu Green strives to offer something delicious for anyone, whether they follow a plant-based diet or not. Dishes like the organic hummus bowl and organic quinoa bowl make for hearty and healthy lunches. Whereas the acai bowls are tasty afternoon pick-me-ups that are a great swap for the donut many of us typically go for. But the true can’t miss are the cold pressed juices. Coming in combinations that feel more like treats rather than cleanses, these are just the thing to get you back on a healthy kick. Our favorites are the Play on Player and the Beauty Tonic.

This eclectic cafe offers quick, nutritious meals with organic ingredients for vegetarians and vegans. Takeout is available, but the funky vibe makes it a great place to sit and enjoy the filling wraps, salads, and veggie bowls. You might need to reference their food glossary to learn about the benefits of all the uncommon ingredients (e.g. burdock, kabocha, and gomasio), but friendly staffers are happy to explain. Be sure to check out the extensive juice and smoothie menu.

If you love diner food but loathe the typical bacon-and-sausage grease-fest, Veggie Galaxy is for you. Breakfast favorites are all on the menu, and you can stuff your omelettes with more veggies than you can handle. For lunch and dinner, the classics are given creative veggie spins, resulting in crowd faves such as a meatless BLT, vegetarian poutine, and veggie shepherd’s pie. Bakery items—cakes, pies, doughnuts, and muffins—are all vegan, but just as delicious as the real thing.  

“Vegetarian Fusion” is the name of the game at this North Indian/South Indian/Indo-Chinese spot in Union Square. The menu is packed with meat-free, spice-rich dishes including dosas, rice dishes, curries, parathas, utthapams, bhajjis, and naan. Don’t miss the lunch buffet for a generous sampling. Lassis, shakes, and homemade desserts offer a sweet finish.

News broke in 2021 that the well-known NYC chain, by CHLOE, will be rebranded and re-emerge in the restaurant scene as Beatnic. Located in Back Bay, Beatnic offers a familiar menu with salad bowls, burgers and sandwiches, all vegan-friendly. The saucy buffalo wrap swaps chicken for cauliflower and their truffle melt combines broccoli, tomato and truffle coconut ricotta that might even make a picky eater’s mouth water.

The Clover Food Lab is a go-to for flavorful, healthy, fresh vegetarian and vegan food. What started in 2008 as a sole food truck parked outside MIT’s campus, has grown into an empire that consists of 15 restaurants around the Boston Metro Area. Depending on the daily available produce from farms in New England, each location offers a static menu.

All vegan, all the time is this spot’s theme song, offering nutritious, full flavored and comforting vegan eats. Strategically stationed right in between BU and BC campuses, the groupies of Rhythm & Wraps range from college students to rap enthusiasts to aspiring herbivores. Looking to bring the vibes of Rhythm & Wraps to your next party? This restaurant offers a catering service that will deliver menu items like the beantown burger or the golden chickpea curry bowl to your next gathering. 

My Thai has a huge menu of authentic Thai dishes for vegetarians and vegans. For those who miss the meat, the veggie “shrimp,” “chicken,” “beef,” and “duck” substitutes will impress. Favorites include the avocado medley with yellow curry (served in a fresh, whole avocado), and a fried taro root “bird’s nest” filled with veggies and a spicy green curry. Because vegetarian does not equal bland, the flavors will satisfy, and spiciness can be adjusted accordingly.

For 100% vegetarian pizza, Veggie Crust has you covered. With homemade dough and high quality ingredients, patrons don’t miss the meat in creative pies, paninis, pastas, and salads. Even the sauce is homemade. The owners are no stranger to Indian flavors, as they also run Dosa n Curry next door to their Sommerville location. So while you’ll find standard combinations, check out some of the innovative pizzas such as paneer Manchurian, curry leaf pesto portabella, or paneer Tikka barbeque.

This casual, counter-service joint offers made-from-scratch comfort foods like hand-cut fries, loaded sausages and poutine. The Bow Market location, however, is 100% vegetarian. Flavorful grain bowls like The Crunchy Goddess include fresh veggies sauces. Try a tasty veggie burger, vegetarian poutine, or go all the way with a vegan Impossible Burger.

This community-minded market in Jamaica Plain carries organic groceries, local products, and artisanal goods. The cafe is known for its high-quality vegetarian-leaning offerings for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast items feature organic, hormone-free eggs. Sandwiches include locally-made breads and spreads, and meat-free favorites such as the “VLT” with “Fakin’ Bacon.” For a quick take-home dinner, check out the vegetarian soup, salad, and sandwich combos. The grocery area helpfully highlights interesting, locally-produced treats.