VEGGING OUT

Making Plant-Based dining fun in the Queen City.

words ELEANOR MERRELL / photos JAMEY PRICE

The virtues of plant-based dining are plentiful. It’s healthier, better for the planet, and actually not that difficult to do. In fact, meat-free dishes rub elbows with steaks, burgers, and other meaty morsels on the menus of many of Charlotte’s favorite eateries. As more and more people have adopted a vegetable-forward diet to better their bodies and shrink their carbon footprints, more and more restaurants have responded with flexitarian menus that have offerings for all kinds of eaters. This level of accessibility and deliciousness makes a compelling case to skip the burger on your next night out and instead opt for one of these mouthwatering, veg-forward meals from one of your go-to restaurants in the Queen City.

SALTED MELON

This new eatery has become one of our favorites in the city. Salted Melon specializes in healthy lunches, delicious snacks and sweet desserts. It's a beautiful restaurant and grocery right in the heart of the blossoming South End neighborhood.

What To Order:

Quinoa Crunch: A delightful lunch option for the vegetarian, this dish is highlighted by grilled tofu and quinoa. Cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green appleas and radishes add some acidity and color!

Beets Me: This refreshing salad tosses kale, feta, and roasted beets in with pickled onions, pine nuts, and a very tasty pear vinaigrette.

Whole Lotta Love: This lunch wrap incorporates tofu, peppers, spinach, and havarti! It's perfect for a midday snack.

Couscous With Pesto: Sides don't get much better than this! Dates, arugula, goat cheese and couscous blend together to form the most satisfying of small plates.

PLANT JOY

This Camp North End food stall is quite literally one of the most approachable plant-forward food suppliers in the Queen City. Sidle up to the counter for one of the following.

What To Order:

Falafel Tower: This signature Plant Joy dish is like a falafel sandwich, only served nacho style. Dive into a pile of falafel, smoked hummus, pickled greens, and pita.

Polenta Fattoush: Get your healthy on with a pile of greens, radishes, and warm and crispy polenta croutons served under a drizzle of zesty Fattoush dressing.

Yam and Cheese: Bite into a flavorful sandwich made from smoked/roasted sweet potato plank, Viva Raw’s chive cheese, and tempeh chorizo.

FERN

This Dilworth restaurant is fully vegan or vegetarian in its offerings and is most appropriate for the veggie-confident.

What To Order:

Black Trumpet Risotto: Porcini fried tofu and broccolini served over a bed of risotto and topped with shaved truffle.

Japanese Katsu Curry: Spaghetti squash, bok choy, shiitake mushroom, and sweet potato anchor this tasty curry.

Truffle Udon: Oat cream, mixed mushrooms, calabrian chili, shaved truffle, and crispy shallot give texture and variety to this noodle dish.

Roots Cafe

Chef Craig Barbour’s seasonally-driven, classic cafe in South End serves three meals a day and offers tons of easy grab-and-go options. Eating well doesn’t have to be complicated.

What To Order:

ROOTS Bowl: A delicious mix of roasted carrots, caramelized sweet potato, baby kale, green chili pinto beans, pickled pepper, and roasted red pepper vina.

Veggie Burger Bowl: Dig into a chickpea and sweet potato veggie burger with fresh greens, pickled pepper and chili aioli served on a bed of baby kale and fresh greens.

Botiwalla

James Beard Award-Winning chef Meherwan Irani delivers a truly splendid sensory experience at Botiwalla, located in Charlotte’s Optimist Hall. This is the perfect place to (re)learn that meat-free doesn’t have to be boring.

What To Order:

Bhel Puri: This Botiwalla snack is an Indian street food classic. Puffed rice, flour crisps, crunchy chickpea noodles, roasted chickpeas, cilantro, and onions tossed with tamarind, green chutneys, and spices, produces tangy, crunchy bites of goodness. Paneer Tikka Roll: Paneer is a type of Indian cheese that, when marinated in yogurt, lime juice, Kashmiri chili paste, and spices, chargrilled with onions and peppers, and then wrapped in naan alongside Desi slaw, cilantro, and chutney will change your life.

KID CASHEW

Kid Cashew’s tagline is “no freezers, no fryers, no heat lamps,” and you can believe you’ll find only the freshest meals at this eatery.

What To Order:

Quinoa Stuffed Avocado: Quinoa, cucumber salsa, and shredded lettuce are nestled inside a plump avocado, then drizzled with chipotle sauce. Go ahead and order three.

Super Grains Salad: This filling, leafy experience centers avocado, greens, quinoa, fennel, pistachios, cilantro yogurt, oranges, and lemon vinaigrette.

FUTO

Buta

This South End staple might be Charlotte’s unofficial ramen headquarters. Chef and owner Michael Shortino had his vegforward friends in mind when he added these gems to the menu.

What To Order:

Shishito Peppers: This savory starter consists of lightly fried shishito peppers dressed with sesame, garlic, and soy. Start with this dish before moving on to your ramen main.

Niwa: A base of vegan broth, dappled with mushroom, bok choy, roasted and julienne leek, arugula, sesame, sprouts, scallions, golden pea shoots, and watermelon radish makes for a mouthwatering main that you’ll be enjoying for days (expect leftovers).

Living Kitchen

Living Kitchen is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant that prides itself on being “100 percent organic, plant-based, and locally sourced.” The eatery serves everything from salads, to nachos and burritos, and even their own unique take on veggie-based sushi.

What To Order:

Spicy Black Bean Bowl: Served with their signature black beans, the bowl is topped with avocado, quinoa, mushroom “carnitas,” romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, chipotle sauce, and lime.

Caramelized Onion and Pear Flatbread: Their flatbread is made with a buckwheat and flax seed crust, a cashew basil cheese, caramelized onions, pear, arugula, and a hemp seed parmesan.

EVER ANDALO

Delivering on the promise of true Italian cooking with fresh ingredients cooked simply, Ever Andalo is NoDa’s newest cozy eatery. In addition to plentiful veg-forward pasta dishes, all their pastas can be served gluten free, too.

What To Order:

Spaghettini alla Nerano: a rich plate of creamed zucchini, zucchini slices, pecorino romano, and finished with parsley.

Mushroom Tortelloni: this umami pasta features seasonal mushrooms, shaved parmigiano reggiano, porcini cream, and greens.

Farrotto: indulge in creamy farro with seasonal squash, seasonal vegetables, mascarpone, and pecorino romano.

Haymaker

Haymaker is an Uptown staple that serves seasonal fare with heirloom ingredients indigenous to the Carolinas. While they’re not strictly a vegetarian establishment, their vegetable-based courses are total standouts.

What To Order:

Mushroom Toast: The toast is topped with wild mushroom ragout, herbed goat cheese, shaved roots, and fresh herbs. New Potato Gnocchi: The gnocchi is dressed in a heirloom pumpkin butter with roasted hen of the woods mushrooms, savory pumpkin seed granola, and fried sage.

Milkbread

Milkbread, Plaza Midwood’s latest niche eatery, is best known for its donuts. But aside from donuts, which happen to also be vegetarian, Milkbread is known for its substantial breakfast bowls, savory and sweet toasts, and salads.

What To Order:

Avocado Toast: Served with everything seeds and kashmiri chili, a colorful Indian spice with mild heat.

Whole Bowl: The Whole Bowl is a hearty breakfast bowl packed with cauliflower rice, whipped tahini, jammy egg (aka soft boiled), red onion, peppers, and nut crunch.

Oh My Soul

Oh My Soul is NoDa’s premier vegan restaurant. The owners bring their South African heritage to their cuisine, allowing for creative dishes with a cultural backing.

What To Order:

Macho Nachos: These fully loaded, South African nachos come stacked with seitan chicken and vegan bacon, chakalaka, pico de gallo, guac, shredded cheese, queso, and ranch.

Waka Waka Burger: The Waka Waka burger is another South African-inspired dish. It consists of a spicy lentil patty served with fresh cilantro, tomato, and red onions.

Curry Gate

Curry Gate is a powerhouse of flavor, offering an array of delicious curries, traditional Indian and Nepali favorites, and of course plenty of vegetarian options.

What To Order:

Samosa: You can’t go wrong starting off with some samosas, aka deep-fried savory pastries stuffed with vegetables.

Papdi Chaat: One of our favorites. Indian style nachos, with diced potatoes and topped with yogurt and chutneys.

300 East

300 East has been feeding the people of Charlotte since 1986. Their menu is not strictly vegetarian, but does offer a variety of veggie-friendly options.

What To Order:

Sweet Potato Ravioli: Rich ravioli dressed in a gorgonzola cream sauce with toasted walnuts.

Grain and Veggie Bowl: It’s filled with Carolina Gold brown rice, roasted winter squash, root vegetables, chickpeas, currants, and tossed in an orange-sunflower vinaigrette.

BARRINGTON’S

Barrington’s is a SouthPark classic. The restaurant, which has been open since 2000, specializes in New American cuisine and focuses on creative spins on traditional dishes.

What To Order:

Butternut Squash Soup: Made with apple chutney, candied pecans, and a curry-cinnamon creme fraiche.

Tega Hills Mix Salad: Mushrooms, shaved radishes, croutons, porcini puree, truffled pecorino, red wine vinaigrette. It's good.

The Crunkleton

From the creative mind of owner Gary Crunkleton, The Crunkleton has made a name for itself here in Charlotte and at its original location in Chapel Hill. The restaurant is best known for its craft cocktails, curated and diverse selection of spirits, and of course Southern-inspired fare.

What To Order:

Vegan Pumpkin Chili: Vegans delight with this pumpkin chili! It’s composed of red beans, kale, diced Pumpkin, and topped with tri color slaw, crispy spicy chickpeas, and pumpkin seeds.

Fall Harvest Salad: Roasted beets, sweet potato, farro, goat cheese, spicy fried chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, shaved brussels, kale salad, dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette.

Mariposa

Named after the Spanish word for butterfly, Mariposa is best described as a multicultural “world to table” restaurant that prioritizes a communal dining experience between friends and family. Their menu focuses on the concept of “mezze,” a North African/Mediterranean idea of shared small plates.

What To Order:

Mezze Board: A hearty board with tzatziki, hummus with roasted garlic, garden veggies, marinated olives, and more. Vegetable Tagine: A delicious stew composed of tomatoes, zucchini, potatoes, carrots, olives, harissa, crispy chickpeas, preserved lemon, and couscous.

Supperland

Supperland touts itself as a Southern-style steakhouse with an unexpected element of whimsy. It sits in a renovated mid-century church in Charlotte’s Plaza Midwood neighborhood. Most of the dishes are meant to be shared, church potluck style.

What To Order:

Baked Brie Bites: A homemade puff pastry, melty brie cheese, and a little pop of spicy goodness with the orange jezebel sauce.

Vegetable Pot Roast: Slow-cooked root vegetables in a mushroom gravy, topped with pan-seared hen of the woods mushrooms and fresh herbs.

Arbol Eatery

For the gluten-free, plant-powered, or health-conscious diner, Arbol Eatery dishes up a delicious, Latin-fusion menu that makes clean(er) eating delicious and convenient.

What To Order:

Torta: A Latin lunch staple made with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and a cilantro-lime crema. Ask for it without the chicken to make this a more veg-friendly option.

Matcha Love Smoothie: A great midday pick-me-up, this green tea powered smoothie also has pineapple, banana, Greek yogurt, and agave.

COPAIN

SouthPark’s boulangerie-style bakery, catering service, and French market has an array of options for whatever mood you might be in. The menu changes often, and seasonally, but here are a few picks we always look for.

What To Order:

Seasonal Hummus: Made fresh, this creamy spread features feta, Aleppo pepper, and pickled vegetables.

Eggplant Parmigiana: This dish is the perfect reminder that veggies can be hearty and satisfying. The lightly battered eggplant is baked in tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella and topped with parmigiano.

Nobles Tomato Bisque: Sometimes you just need to take it back to basics. Don’t overthink lunch: order a bowl of Noble’s creamy tomato bisque with a fresh baguette on the side and call it good.

Whetheryou’re gluten-free, plant-powered, or paleo, health is a consideration for most hungry Charlotteans. From pure, whole foods to creative, healthy concoctions, Arbol Eatery is cooking great things for health-conscious consumers.

At this upscale eatery, Chef Edwin Cruz, founder and co-owner, continues his mission to banish bland cuisine with his recipes and passion for creating delicious and memorable food. As one of the first chefs in North Carolina to incorporate the pop-up chef approach since 2007, with his booming catering company, Edwin’s Organix, Chef Edwin has met the rising demand for international foods, including Hispanic or Latinx, thanks in part to the increasing diversity of the U.S. population. Teamed up with lawyer, epicurean, and co-owner Mitch Coles, Arbol Eatery has become the go-to for so many Charlotteans regularly and those visiting the Queen City.

The menu boasts the chef’s gourmet touch on a Latin fusion concept with gluten-free/ vegan options, crafted expresso bar drinks, healthy smoothies with many superfood options, acai bowls, soups, salads, and comfort foods with a vast array of fresh flavors. However, the greatness does not stop with the food. “Arbol” (Spanish for “Tree”) delivers a cultivated green space with plants and a comfortable vibe throughout the eatery. Patrons find themselves visiting for hours, enjoying not only the beauty but also the health benefits.

Visit Arbol Eatery’s website (www.arboleatery.com) to stay updated on menu specials and updates, events like the Yoga Rose Brunch Class, and so much more.