Sure, there are plenty of seafood shacks dotting the Cape Cod landscape, but with a bounty of local produce and innovative chefs, there’s also a surge in restaurants that cater to vegetarians and vegans. Here are our favorite places to indulge in a creative plant-based dinner, lunch or breakfast.
Hyannis' Green Lotus Café is the Cape's only vegan and vegetarian restaurant, with plenty of gluten-free options too. Sip a fresh-pressed juice or vegan burrito for breakfast or enjoy a hearty soup, sandwich or salad at lunch. There's also an extensive coffee and tea menu, along with vegan options for bubble tea.
The Tuscan sun never stops shining at Siena, nestled in Mashpee Commons. The menu is full of vegetarian options, from veggie pasta and pizza to roasted artichokes and seasonal dishes. There's also a vegan menu that changes seasonally, with menu items including artichoke and basil risotto, grilled Italian vegetables served with Himalayan red rice, and grilled eggplant with vegan marinara. In warm weather, opt to dine outside on the patio.
Pizza Barbone in Hyannis is a favorite on the Cape Cod dining scene for the wood-fired, Neapolitan pizzas that make delivery options seem uninspiring. The majority of the pizzas, which are cooked in an imported oven, can be made vegan, and everything is made from scratch. They even harvest their own vegetable pizza toppings from their rooftop garden, including greens, carrots, beets, radishes, scallions, onions and a wide variety of herbs.
For Baja-style tacos, Guapo’s Tortilla Shack in Brewster and Orleans serves up the freshly prepared finger food boasting veggies, fish or other meat fillings. For vegetarians, the Root Veggie Burro is a great choice, as well as the housemade guacamole (the avocados are ripened in-house) and Mexican Street Corn (roasted corn on the cob char-grilled and served with a signature cheese spread). They also have a large margarita menu to wash it all down with.
Inaho Japanese Restaurant in Yarmouth Port is a gem on the Cape for traditional sushi. But they also offer a large selection of veggie-based dishes prepared vegan and vegetarian. The crispy vegetable tempura, boiled edamame, vegetable sushi rolls and eggplant miso are our top picks.
Kids and adults on Cape Cod head to Sam Diego’s in Hyannis to satisfy cravings for Tex-Mex favorites. There is a range of vegetarian options from tacos, enchiladas, and salads, to a hearty combo plate. There's also a complete vegan menu, featuring such items as a whole wheat tortilla “rolled ‘n filled” with your choice of vegetarian refried beans or vegetarian black beans, smothered with veggie red salsa.
The Canteen in Provincetown is best known for New England favorites like lobster rolls and fresh oysters, but they also boast creative vegetarian options. You'll find shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce) for breakfast, a daily vegan soup, and a Falafel entree or fried mushroom & chips plate for dinner.
Red Nun in Chatham and Dennis Port always has a buzzing bar in summer months, and while there are plenty of meat-loving menu items, it's a surprisingly vegetarian-friendly option. All of their burgers can be made vegetarian or vegan by switching the meat patty with their house-made vegan burger. In addition to large salad list, their famous Buddha Bowl is a crowd favorite—a hearty helping of quinoa, roasted veggies, and beans topped with homemade tahini dressing.
Regardless of the weather, Tropical Smoothie Café offers plenty of sunshine in a glass with a wide selection of made-to-order smoothies ranging from mango turmeric to strawberry lime. They also offer a sizeable selection of wraps, sandwiches, and bowls, with plenty of vegetarian dishes, like their Hummus Veggie Wrap and Veggie Bowl.
Van Rensselaer's Restaurant & Raw Bar in South Wellfleet does, of course, offer daily seafood specials and oysters fresh from the waters, but it's also locally known for their signature Noodle Bowl, a warm and comforting vegetarian option that's also available as vegan. The other veggie standouts on the menu include Oven Roasted Organic Tofu Provencal and assorted flatbreads. The family-owned restaurant is open April through October.
No trip to Cape Cod is complete without ice cream, and The Local Scoop in Orleans serves up frozen treats to satisfy any kind sweet craving. They cater to all dietary needs in their wide variety of frozen yogurt and ice cream - organic, gluten free, vegan and sugar free. Key to their success? When you taste it, you'd never know the difference!
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