Three Vegetarian Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Definitely Visit

If you're vegetarian, you may feel that your choices are limited when it comes to where you can eat out. However, if you're in Atlanta, there are several restaurants for you to choose from that sell great food that you'll love. Here are my top three picks (as a vegetarian and food enthusiast) for vegetarians who love a good night of fine (or casual) dining. These places will satisfy any cravings you have for your favorite foods, and won't leave your wallet empty, and are great alternatives if you're trying to eat healthy a few times a week.

Soul Vegetarian

This restaurant, located in the West End section of Atlanta, offers affordable vegetarian fare, and is close to other health food stores and vitamin shops, so you can get a healthy meal, and go to an organic café nearby for a smoothie or shot of wheatgrass. You can choose from vegan and vegetarian soul food, such as macaroni and cheese that is made from soy milk and cheese, or collard greens that are naturally seasoned instead of using turkey or pork. Vegan pasta and Asian dishes are also available there--the stir-fry is especially tasty, and has very fresh vegetables and a Thai peanut sauce that compliments the dish nicely. Sandwiches and organic fries will help to curb any junk food cravings, and there are lots of great desserts for vegans and vegetarians to choose from as well; healthy versions of dessert classics like sweet potato pie, pound cake, and peach cobbler are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth, and if you go into the restaurant with $20, you should be able to get a meal and dessert and have a little change left over.

Sunflower Cafe©

If you're looking for a hearty meal that's filling and completely vegetarian, Sunflower Café is definitely the way to go. You can choose from the garden vegetable quesadilla, which comes with homemade fresh salsa, or mock meatloaf made with soy protein and savory vegetable seasoning. The dishes that include polenta are my personal favorites, and there are stir-fry dishes here as well. The dishes are prepared with peanut and canola oil, so if you want to get something that's completely soy-free due to allergies, you definitely can. There are also veggie pizza varieties for you to choose from, as well as organic pasta dishes that you can get without dairy. The price point is medium (you can pay up to $17 for a dinner plate), and you can sit down at the restaurant to eat (there are locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs), or you can order takeout.

The Green Sprout Cafe©

Great Thai and Asian food is the Green Sprout Cafe's speciality. There are lunch combos if you're looking for a healthy meal on the go. You can choose from tasty appetizers like curry spring rolls and scallion pancakes, and there are health-conscious entrees like tofu and mixed vegetables, stuffed zucchini and Empire "chicken." All mock meat is made from flour, water, and spices, and you can make your meal completely vegan by asking for your dish to be egg-free. The restaurant is in the Atlanta Midtown area, which means it's conveniently located to just about every area of the city. The service is great and it's a great place to eat if you're trying to make the transition to vegetarianism.