11 of the most vegetarian-friendly steakhouses in the US
Rarely will a vegan or vegetarian opt to go to a steakhouse, for obvious reasons. But if you’re a non-meat eater, chances are you’ve had occasions where you have to venture into restaurants that are less than ideal for your dietary restrictions, on account of a friend’s birthday or a partner’s craving.
The word “steakhouse” may not be very comforting to those who abstain from meat and other animal products, but luckily, there are a handful of those that offer veg-eaters more than a sad side salad. We scoped out some steakhouses that have one or more hearty meat-free options on their menus that are far from afterthoughts.
Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, D.C. takes pride in serving even the meat-averse.
If you’re in the D.C. area and looking for a steakhouse where you (or your vegetarian/vegan friends) won’t starve, Charlie Palmer has you covered.
“While we are a steakhouse, I refuse to let any guest have to cobble together their meal from odds and ends,” Executive Chef Michael Ellis told INSIDER. Seasonal vegetables are an important part of the kitchen’s rotation, and Ellis always keeps a vegetarian stuffed pasta on the menu – currently, a sweet corn agnolotti.
Although there isn’t currently a vegan entree on the menu, the risotto can be made vegan upon request. Guests are welcomed to request substitutions to fit their dietary needs.
Chandler’s in Boise, Idaho might be the holy grail of vegan-friendly steakhouses.
Boise may not be known as a vegan paradise, but should you end up visiting steakhouses in the Midwest, Chandler’s is an oasis. Forget scraping together raw veggie sides — the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe meal centered on a vegan “steak” made of mushroom, grains, and root vegetables, served with a red wine and beet jus. Pair it with salad and sorbet, and you’ve got one happy vegan.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Austin offers a contemporary take on classic Italian.
The dinner menu at the Austin location of Perry’s features a fully vegan dish, the spaghetti squash primavera. The squash is topped with zucchini, cauliflower, and asparagus, as well as the Perry family’s classic San Marzano tomato sauce.
The dish is said to be a local favorite, worth consideration from even omnivores who might be interested in lighter fare. No vegan consolation prizes here.
Andiron Steak & Sea in Las Vegas has rich offerings for vegetarians and vegans.
Sin City visitors and locals can get their veggie fix should they end up at Adiron. The dinner menu features a rich, veggie-heavy dish for vegetarians called the Strozzapreti Pasta, which includes sweet corn, aged parmesan, roasted mushrooms, and arugula.
But even vegans aren’t stuck sipping water – the dinner menu includes an avocado toast appetizer topped with tomato, pickled fresno, and arugula, all on grilled bread. Not bad for a steakhouse.
Meat on Ocean in Santa Monica has vegetarian-friendly charcuterie.
A meat-free charcuterie board? It’s possible in California. Meat on Ocean has enough non-meat options for vegetarian guests to fill their five-seven item charcuterie board with house-baked breads, jams, and a variety of cheeses. Also on offer for vegetarian palates – the sauteed mushrooms in a soy glaze, and a hummus appetizer served with warm pita bread and yucca chips.
Castaway in Burbank also offers a flavor-packed pasta dish.
If your colleagues are in the mood for steak for your next dinner meeting, suggest Castaway – their dinner menu includes a vegetarian wild mushroom pappardelle pasta. The dish features truffle-whipped ricotta, roasted wild mushrooms, basil, and sweet garlic chips, reminding us once again that meat-free doesn’t mean short on taste.
Cut in Beverly Hills is happy to work with vegetarian and vegan patrons.
Although the Wolfgang Puck locale doesn’t have any pre-designed vegetarian or vegan entrees on the dinner menu, plant eaters need not despair.
“The best bet is to ask the Chef to create something,” said Tesia Kuh, executive administrator of Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. “As we get most of our food direct from the farmers’ markets and foragers, the chef might have a few tricks up their sleeve to make a unique dish just for the guest based on their specific dining preferences.”
Produce offerings will vary based on what’s available, but the current menu advertises wild mushrooms, summer squash, and Romano beans.
Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa sources vegetables from the Bern family farm.
Whether you’re a vegetarian or the Florida sun just has you craving something a little less heavy, the dinner menu includes a goat cheese and portobello ravioli dish. There’s also a literal pile of vegetables on the menu – just be sure to speak with your server to make sure they’re aware of your dietary restrictions.
The Prime Rib in Washington, D.C. has a dish with vegetarians in mind.
The restaurant’s D.C. location has an item on the menu called the “vegetarian plate,” which presumably changes by the season (The Prime Rib could not be reached for more information). Still, it’s comforting to know that your dietary needs are a concern even when you’re eating at a steakhouse. And as a bonus, the sides offering includes a wide array of veggies.
B&B Butchers in Houston, despite the name, actually has multiple veggie options.
A Texan steakhouse probably wouldn’t be the first place you’d look for vegetarian food, but B&B has a “pasture” section on their menu featuring a vegetable platter, a house salad with a portabella fillet and onion jam, and a pesto spaghetti dish. Herbivorous visitors here are offered the gift of choice.
Swift & Sons in Chicago has a decadent vegetarian dish on offer.
While many of the appetizers feature meat where you may not expect (in soups, pastries, and salads, for instance), the entree section includes a vol-au-vent with summer vegetables. Never had a vol-au-vent? Think of it as a fancy pot pie made with puff pastry, in this case, stuffed with zucchini and green beans.
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