5 Great Veggie Restaurants in the Metroplex

Considering the Lone Star State’s affinity for chicken fried steak, brisket, and deep-fried catfish, Texas isn’t the first place that comes to mind when you’re on the hunt for some great plant-based cuisine. Fortunately, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is a veritable cosmopolitan cowtown, boasting a diverse array of eateries that cater even to the most eco-conscious need. Here are just a few of the area’s must-try restaurants that primarily serve vegan or vegetarian fare.

Spiral Diner & Bakery

Image via Flickr by YoLaGringo

A local favorite since 2002, Spiral Diner & Bakery is a recognizable DFW institution with three locations throughout the Metroplex. In fact, the Fort Worth location on West Magnolia Avenue is the city’s only full-service vegan restaurant and bakery. The diner’s other two locations are on North Beckley Avenue in Dallas and East Hickory Street in Denton. Each location is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

If you’re not sure what to order at Spiral Diner & Bakery, consider the Daily Special. Specials vary depending on the season and ingredient availability, but consist of full, hearty meals such as breaded soy chik’n strips smothered in barbecue sauce with mac-n-cheeze, pasta salad, Texas toast, and vegetables.

Aside from an extensive lunch and dinner menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, and hot plates, Spiral Diner serves breakfast all day, allowing you to satisfy that craving for biscuits and gravy, tofu scramble, or pancakes no matter the hour. Just be sure to save room for some made-from-scratch baked goods and sweets, as the bakery side of this eatery includes yummy shakes, sundaes, and brownies.

Boulevard of Greens

For a light lunch, nutrient-dense juice, or smoothie bowl, head to Boulevard of Greens on Horne Street in Fort Worth. The eatery’s mission is to provide nutritious options your body craves but that aren’t always convenient in our fast-paced world. As a result, Boulevard of Greens offers fast, healthy options to support health-conscious lifestyles. Even if you’re not 100% plant-based, Boulevard of Greens’ local, organic juices pack a protein punch, offer anti-inflammatory benefits, and give you the micro-nutrients you need to fuel your day.

If you’re craving more than a juice cleanse or smoothie, enjoy a healthy menu of oatmeal, avocado toast, salad, soup, and raw zucchini pastas. Hot beverages offered include coffee and a variety of lattes, including the seasonal favorite: pumpkin spice latte.

And feel free to bring your pup to Boulevard of Greens! Homemade dog treats and Bark Bowls (doggie smoothie bowls with ice, bananas, and peanut butter) are a big hit with the four-legged locals.

True Food Kitchen

Situated in The Plaza at Preston Center in Park Cities, Dallas, True Food Kitchen is a trendy, upscale restaurant with a seasonally rotating menu and impressive vegan desserts. The restaurant is the collective brainchild of visionary restaurateurs, accomplished chefs, and Dr. Andrew Weil, renowned doctor of integrative medicine. It was designed with the idea that food should make diners feel better, not worse, all without sacrificing taste.

True Food Kitchen’s highly customizable menu features vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options consisting of pizzas, burgers, pitas, salads, and family meals, so even your non-veggie friends will feel right at home. While items vary by season, recent desserts have included chia seed pudding, Key lime mousse, and quinoa brownie sundaes.

Given its popularity, reservations at True Food Kitchen are highly recommended during peak mealtimes. You can also order online for no-contact pickup and delivery. The Dallas location is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Flower Child

Another great chain in Dallas is Flower Child, offering four locations: Addison, Inwood Village, Preston Royal, and Rosewood Court. This adorable cafe embraces healthy, organic fare with plant-based and gluten-free options, plus kombucha on tap. Your carnivore friends have their own sustainable options here, including salmon and grass-fed beef, but the vegan and vegetarian meals truly shine.

Starters include daily soup and avocado toast, which pairs nicely with hot tea or kombucha. Salads feature delightful dressing like lemon tahini vinaigrette, lemon avocado dressing, or champagne vinaigrette. If you prefer something a little heartier, try a bowl with spicy sweet potato noodles or ancient grains, veggies, coconut milk, and sunflower butter.

Entrees at Flower Child consist of a pick-your-protein-and-side setup, making it easy for vegetarians and vegans to customize their meals with tofu or veggies. Popular sides include roasted broccoli, yuzu Brussels sprouts, smashed gold potato, and heirloom tomato and watermelon with mint and basil.

Kalachandji’s

One of the oldest and finest all-vegetarian establishments in Dallas, Kalachandji’s has been an East Dallas favorite for nearly 40 years. Founded by the Dallas Hare Krishnas in the early ‘80s, Kalachandji’s practices the art of Ayurvedic cooking for the body, mind, and spirit. Their mission is to serve vegetarian cuisine that delights the senses, calms the mind, promotes good health, and elevates consciousness.

The restaurant takes its name from Kalachandji, “the beautiful moon-faced one” who gained many devotees before the Moguls invaded India. Thousands of devotees worshipped him as “the Supreme Personality of the Godhead,” and artisans dedicated ornate temples to him. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna Movement, rediscovered Kalachandji in a museum and arranged to bring him to Dallas. Thus, the tradition of preparing food in the ancient Vedic tradition right here in Texas was born.

Kalachandhi’s international buffet changes daily, but staple items always include dal, rice, vegetable curry, steamed veggies, chutney, papadums, kheer, tamarind tea, and an evening entree. Check the restaurant’s website for the daily buffet menu before visiting if you’d prefer to know what else is available. Regular lunch hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weekends from noon to 3 p.m. Dinner is Tuesday through Sunday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

With so many great plant-based options in the DFW Metroplex, you never have to settle for anything less than delicious. Have you tried any of the restaurants on our list? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!