The Five Best Vegetarian Restaurants in the DC Area

In order to make this list, the restaurants had to meet the following criteria: (1) They had to be totally vegetarian. (Sorry, but just so you know, fish is not a vegetable.) (2) They had to be somewhat in the DC area (within an hour's drive from downtown, notwithstanding hideous beltway traffic) (3) They had to be GOOD! That being said, here goes.

5. Java Green (Downtown DC)
This is a smaller deli-style restaurant with vegetarian Korean food, as well as some American fare. They have a large menu, making it hard to decide what dish you'd like to try, but once you pick one you will be satisfied. They have a large variety of curry dishes and Asian vegetables, and also a variety of teas, smoothies and vegan desserts. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The restaurant often donates part of their profits to animal causes on certain days of the week. They don't have late hours, but they are working on extending them.

4. Everlasting Life (Capitol Heights, Georgetown)
This is a great little place for vegetarian soul food. Meatloaf, rice and beans, chickpeas and the like. The food is served deli style (go to the counter and order) and you pay by the dish or order an entree and two sides as a meal. There is one case of cold dishes and one of hot, and you choose one side or the other. The quality of the food is good, although they can be a bit heavy on the salt and spices. The staff is very welcoming and helpful, even if you ask them to explain every dish to you. There is also a small natural foods store attached.

3. The Vegetable Garden (Rockville)
This restaurant has a huge menu of primarily Chinese food, but there are other things, such as salads, penne and veggie burgers. The menu has items marked for vegetarians, vegans, those looking for heart-healthy foods, and even raw-foodists and macrobiotics. As with traditional Chinese restaurants, your entrees are put in the middle of the table and can be shared in most cases. I recommend the sesame-vegi chicken. The atmosphere is casual, with lovely photos of vegetables on the walls. Entrees are about $10 apiece and all are free of MSG, dairy, egg and refined sugar.

2. Vegetate (Downtown DC)
This is a more upscale restaurant than the other veg joints in the area, more in the food than in the atmosphere. It tries to be pretentious, with the waiters wearing black shirts and jeans and playing aloof, but it fails with the low-key decor and inconspicuous entrance. The food was very good and priced about $15 a plate. The chocolate cake is too die for, and vegan to boot. The dining room only seats 20, so be sure to make a reservation. They open at 6 on weeknights and 11 for Sunday brunch. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.

1. Great Sage (Clarksville - Howard County, MD)
This restaurant is a real crowd pleaser, even if you're not a vegetarian. I've taken several omnivorous friends, and they've raved about the food. Of course, if you are a vegetarian, all the better. You have a great selection of menu items, from sandwiches, to soups, to entrees such as pasta and shepherd's pie. Their food is healthy and organic and it tastes great! Be sure to try the smoothies and desserts. Service has always been great, and the food is fairly inexpensive.