Raising the Bar on Vegetarian Food - Vegetarian Restaurants

Whether you are a strict vegetarian or just enjoy vegetarian food, vegetarian restaurants are sure to please. In response to a growing emergence of vegetarians, more restaurants have opened catering only to this niche. Vegetarian doesn’t mean a bunch of sprouts and bland tofu; today’s vegetarian restaurants are raising the bar in haute cuisine.

Vegetarian Types

Vegetarian restaurants can cater to one or more of the various types of vegetarians. For instance, a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet does not include meat, fish or poultry, can contain eggs and milk. A lacto-vegetarian, on the other hand does not eat meat, fish, poultry or eggs, but does consume dairy. A vegan is a person who does not eat any fish, poultry, eggs, dairy, or meat and they avoid foods that contain any of these products. They also often refrain from using products that come from animals.

A macrobiotic diet is mainly vegetarian. However, many macrobiotic diets can include seafood. A macrobiotic diet excludes all other meat products including eggs and dairy products. Eating locally grown foods that are in season is heavily emphasized. This diet is influenced by the yin and yang principle. Vegetarian restaurants might offer legumes, grains, and similar items to appeal to this diet choice.

Fruitarian Foods

A fruitarian only eats true fruits, including vegetables that are technically fruits, such as avocados, nuts, and tomatoes. Other vegetarians may choose to follow a raw food diet, which involves eating foods that are not cooked. A raw food diet is based on the belief that cooking changes food, altering it in a negative way diminishing its nutritive properties. A person on such a diet might consume up to 80% of their food raw.

Vegetarian restaurants often feature vegetables, seafood, and tofu (as a protein source) prepared in a variety of tantalizing ways. Some of the food at a vegetarian restaurant might be served raw, while others might be steamed, and still others prepared with more sophisticated methods and presentations. With the versatility of tofu and other soy products, many vegetarian restaurants are also able to offer more traditional “meat-based” dishes, as well. Vegetarian restaurants even offer an impressive selection of desserts, for those who wish to indulge.

Whether vegetarian dining is simply a lifestyle choice, or an experiment, you will find a number of wonderful meal choices in a vegetarian restaurant. Vegetarian restaurants are quickly proving that they can hang in with even the most popular restaurants.