Vegetarian Restaraunts of Cleveland, Ohio

When one thinks of Cleveland cuisine, their first thought usually isn't vegetarian, they think ethnic. Perogi, Sauerkraut and cabbage, sausages. Plates piled high with Wiener schnitzel and potato pancakes. Or they think of the many chop houses or steak joints that populate the region. Working class, broad shouldered a meat and potatoes town. Believe it or not, the vegetarian has a lot of choices, some right around the corner while others take a little digging to find.

One of the vegetarians first stop would have to be Tommy's. Tommy's is a long time fixture on Coventry Road, an eclectic area populated by small, diverse shops. Cleveland's "Hippie District". At Tommy's, even though the menu is not pure vegetarian, the vegetarian will find a wide variety of dishes to satisfy their tastes. Some of the menu items include falafel, tempeh and tofu dishes, salads, tofu hotdogs, veggie burgers and vegetarian chili. The wait staff is fully knowledgeable of vegetarian and vegan needs. The prices are moderate. The vegetarian will not walk away unsatisfied.

Tommys

1842 Coventry Road

Cleveland Heights

216-321-7757

www.tommyscoventry.com

Open:

Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM.-9:00PM

Friday 7:30 AM-10:00 PM

Saturday 10:00 AM-10:00 PM

Sunday 11:00 AM-9:00 PM

The next stop for the vegetarian would be to Cleveland's Ohio City District, to a place known as Johnny Mango's World Café & Bar. Johnny Mango's is situated right up the street from Cleveland's West Side Market. From this market, the restaurant obtains fresh produce daily for their dishes. Here the vegetarian can enjoy, as the menu states, "The Ballad of the Meatless and Delicious". One can feast on such vegetarian dishes such as Country Miso Soup, fried tofu with Vietnamese sweet and sour dipping sauce, the Veggie of today which is a healthy helping of the fresh vegetables from the West Side Market and my favorite, Happy Beans, which is a plate of beans in sauce, both which change daily so one never gets bored of this dish. On the menu, the vegetarian can also find black bean quesadillas and burritos. Most meat dishes can also be made with seitan or tofu. Even though Johnny Mango's is not pure vegetarian' the vegetarian will feel right at home here. Johnny Mango's is very vegetarian friendly.

Johnny Mango's

World Café & Bar 3120 Bridge Avenue

Cleveland

216-575-1919

www.jmango.com

Open:

Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM-10:00 PM

Friday 11:00 AM-11:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM-11:00 PM

Sunday 9:00 AM-10:00 PM

The next stop or stops for the person making the tour of Greater Cleveland's vegetarian restraints would be eight stops all together. East, west, north and south, this is where you will find Aladdins Eatery. This local favorite of Middle Eastern and vegetarian foods has now branched out into six states. In the Cleveland area they have eight locations to serve you. Some of the vegetarian dishes they offer are Mujadara Plate. A dish consisting of vegetables, rice and lentil beans. A fine lentil soup full of swiss chard, celery, potatoes and sautéed onions and an excellent Baba falafel Roll. Very vegetarian friendly atmosphere even though they are not pure vegetarian.

Various locations in Greater Cleveland Area

Aladdin's Eatery

All open at 11:00 daily

www.aladdinseatery.com

One more stop for the truly adventurous vegetarian in Cleveland would be Empress Taytu Ethiopian Restaurant. Here you will find a truly unique dining experience. Floor seating at thatched tables, Ethiopian art on the walls and on certain nights, Ethiopian entertainment. Even though the Empress is not totally vegetarian, like the other places, they are very friendly to the vegetarian. Some of the dishes you will find include split peas, stews, lentils in sauce and mixed legumes. All dishes are served with Ethiopian injera bread. Empress Taytu is definitely a sensation for all your senses.

Empress Taytu Ethiopian Restaurant6125 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland

216-391-9400