Where to take a vegan friend without "punishing" the carnivores in the party

October 5, 2009 6:17 PM

Where in Seattle has good vegan lunch options? Don't want a strictly vegan venue, as the rest of us are omnivores, and we'd like to wash our lunch down with beer, if possible.
posted by dorgla to Food & Drink (12 answers total)

Tilth, in Wallingford, is famous for meeting just this kind of challenge. I haven't been, myself, though... and chef Maria Hines is notorious for coming into the dining room and criticizing the palate of any eater who does not like her Local Organic Sustainable ® meals, so proceed with caution.
posted by mr. remy at 6:21 PM on October 5, 2009

Cafe Flora, on East Madison Street, is great.
posted by hazleweather at 6:31 PM on October 5, 2009

Cafe Flora is good, although I took my dad there and he wasn't pleased with the carnivorous options. The Elysian Brewhouse in Capitol Hill (there's also one on 1st?) generally has a vegan option (call to check- but last time they had an unbelievable avocado and ? curry the last time I was there) but also serves very solid burgers and great beer.
posted by charmedimsure at 7:03 PM on October 5, 2009

Bamboo Garden on Queen Anne has a bunch of vegetarian options. A whole menu.
posted by xmutex at 7:15 PM on October 5, 2009

Tamarind Tree is a Vietnamese restaurant in the ID that has lots of vegan options.
posted by lemuria at 7:26 PM on October 5, 2009

Homemade in Fremont - delicious organic fare, not 100% positive there are strict vegan options (But likely)
posted by keasby at 7:58 PM on October 5, 2009

this sounds like a question for Questionland!

(which is a spunky, Seattle-specific Q&A site like this but trashier, faster, more gossipy. run by the brilliant folks at the Stranger, the country's best alt-weekly.)
posted by the_arbiter at 7:59 PM on October 5, 2009

Seconding Elysian. Flora or Carmelita's are fine vegetarian restaurants, but meat eaters may be left unsatisified. Also take a look at r B&O Espresso or Moonlight Cafe (separate meaty and vegetarian menus).
posted by jefftang at 8:59 PM on October 5, 2009

What about Plum? I haven't been there yet myself, but it's the same people who own the vegan Hillside Quickie, which serves some of the best vegan food I've ever had. And this place has a liquor license.

If you go, I'd love to hear what you think.
posted by molybdenum at 9:28 PM on October 5, 2009

I like El Camino in Fremont. Call ahead... I think they always have at least one vegan item on the menu. The waitstaff is helpful with dietary needs, like gluten-free.
It's a fun place, great neighborhood for strolling, and I like the food.
posted by valannc at 12:25 PM on October 6, 2009

Seconding Cafe Flora. Something really nice for everyone.
posted by jimfl at 6:58 PM on October 6, 2009

I'll third Elysian as the choice to most likely please the carnivores. They have a field roast bbq sandwich that can be made vegan and is very good, among other things. Flora and Plum are both awesome for vegetarians, but I'm not sure for the others. Plum has a liquor license but only a few beers to choose from.
posted by johnsu01 at 10:47 AM on October 8, 2009