Washington, D.C. is another American city that has long had a reputation as a solid steakhouse town, so when it comes to vegetarian and vegan cuisine, one would immediately assume that finding a decent spot to eat might be difficult. Contrary to popular belief, however, there is a wealth excellent strictly vegetarian or vegan restaurants as well as restaurants that offer both meat and vegetarian options but play the plant-based diet game. From fast casual fare to fine dining experiences, here are some of Washington D.C.’s best non-meat-centric places to eat.
Elizabeth's Gone Raw
Located in a historical townhome in the heart of Washington, Elizabeth's Gone Raw offers an upscale vegan dining experience on Friday evenings only. Owner Elizabeth Petty’s 3-hour meal includes a raw vegan tasting menu of six courses with complimentary kale chips and optional organic wine pairings that will leave even the toughest wine aficionados impressed.
Busboys and Poets
Named for American poet Langston Hughes, Busboys and Poets is an original hipster enclave and a D.C. institution. Part alt-bookstore and part vegetarian-centric restaurant, Busboys and Poets was established by Andy Shallal to create “a space for art, culture, and politics to intentionally collide,” and he has done this with great success.
Chaia
Chaia is a fast-casual, farm-to-taco joint that made the move from being a longtime stalwart at local farmers markets to a beautiful brick-and-mortar space in Georgetown, much to the delight of its fans.
Equinox
Equinox offers a combination of market and plant-based cuisine that includes meat, vegetarian, and vegan options. While the menu isn't entirely vegan, it is easy enough to ignore the meat or fish entirely and choose veggie-only options.
HipCityVeg
Part of a Philadelphia-based chain, HipCityVeg is a fast-casual restaurant that uses 100% organic non-GMO ingredients to produce delicious plant-based cuisine. The popular eatery focuses on healthy comfort food, like burgers, chicken sandwiches, and chicken nuggets, made with farm-fresh ingredients that are delivered every morning. Scraps are composted or recycled at the end of every day, standing by their environmentally-friendly philosophy.
Shouk
Shouk is a Middle Eastern-inspired, vegetable-focused restaurant that serves a variety of plant-based organic fare from fresh salads and homemade soups to vegetable or legume-stuffed pitas.
sweetgreen
Founded in 2007, sweetgreen is a casual restaurant that serves simple, seasonal, healthy food. With a mission to “inspire healthier communities by connecting people to real food,” sweetgreen is committed to supporting small and mid-sized sustainable farmers and producers.
Teaism Penn Quarter
Teaism Penn Quarter is a traditional tea house that serves a variety of coffees and teas, along with sandwiches, snacks, cookies, and bento boxes in a bright and sunny ambiance.
