The Best Vegan And Gluten-free Restaurants in Atlanta

Being vegan is challenge enough in a Southern state where all things chicken (Atlanta is the headquarters for Chic-fil-a) and soul food are staples. And, once you find a place that offers vegan fare, you may be faced with the challenge of finding a dish without gluten--besides salad with no croutons. However, there are lots of new and exciting restaurants popping up all over the Atlanta area that offer dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free dishes that your whole family will love. Here are a few spots that won't disappoint your palette or your wallet.

If you're in the mood for Asian food, check out what The Real Chow Baby has to offer. You can basically build your own stir-fry, using fresh vegetables, and your choice of noodles or rice. There are also rice noodles if you are sensitive to gluten, and the sauces are labeled so that you'll know which ones are 'safe'. Tofu can be used in the place of chicken, shrimp, or steak when you're building your meal, and the veggies are seasoned so well, you'll definitely want seconds. You'll also be able to enjoy a guilt-free meal, since all of the ingredients are low in calories and rich in nutrients. The Real Chow Baby is located on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta, but if you want more information about the restaurant before you visit or need to get more menu details, you can check out www.therealchowbaby.com.

Still haven't had your fill of great Chinese or Thai food? Noodle will definitely help to calm your craving. This downtown restaurant, located on Peachtree St., is a favorite lunch spot for many downtown employees. There is also a location in the Roosevelt Hwy area of the city, which is close to the airport. You can choose from rice or noodle dishes as well, and the portions are really large, so you may end up saving a little for dinner. There are also lunch specials every day, so you shouldn't end up paying more than $8 for dish. Stir fry with snap peas, carrots, and coconut milk is a favorite, along with spicy tofu atop rice noodles and cilantro. Check out www.noodle.com for more details.

Exotic dishes and creative preparation are the trademarks of Beleza. This Brazilian-inspired restaurant has an entirely gluten free menu, although some of the dishes contain meat. But you can still have a vegan feast at this urban hot spot located downtown at the intersection of Juniper and 10th Streets. The quinoa with onions and red pepper is especially tasty, and if you have a sweet tooth, you'll love the chocolate tart with almond crust. All the food is served cold in order to maintain the enzymatic and nutritional value, and there's a great variety of beverages to choose from as well (the all-natural pomegranate soda is great). For more information, visit www.beleza.com.

There are even more restaurants that are willing to accommodate vegans and celiacs in the Atlanta area these days, and I plan to find them all. Until then, happy eating!