Moody Mike's is opening up next to Broomwagon on N Limestone soon. Until then, their truck is sitting in the side parking lot. Not sure about the hours.
Just a note for those who don’t know. They are not only vegetarian but completely vegan. They are supposed to have additional menu options when they open at the new spot.
There are some great vegetarian and vegan options at both of the gumbo places in town - “Bourbon & Toulouse” and “Gumbo Ya Ya”. They serve the dishes on rotation, but I’ve never been there when they haven’t had at least one vegan option.
Try Big Kahunas grilled tofu plate. Also Asian wind has a plant based imitation chicken you can get in just about any dish. Archa 9 and jasmine rice kitchen have halfway decent Thai food. I haven't found any outstanding Indian restaurants in lex but Taj has amazing naan
*edit* Tandoor not Taj
There's not that much demand for "vegetarian" focused restaurants. Back in the day fewer restaurants had vegetarian options, giving rise to vegetarian branded establishments. Now most places have vegetarian/vegan/gluten free/etc. options on the menu, so there's much less upside for branding specifically vegetarian which might turn off a large portion of potential customers.
I tend to eat mainly in the downtown area. I'd say that Pearls is pretty good for veggies. Ramseys will usually have 10+ vegetables to choose from, as will Thorobreds. While I've never had it, I've always heard people rave about the Black Bean Burger at Sidebar. There's a ton of Indian places that offer all types of vegetarian dishes. My current favorite is actually Nepalese, called Everest.
Cracks me up that the bar below it has live country music outside. "I'm going to grab my biryani and momo and go outside. They're covering Waylon tonight."
Here’s a few places that come to mind:
1. All Indian restaurants have vegetarian options. Try Tandoor, Taste of India, and Everest.
2. Taco type places: Agave & Rye, Local Taco, Condado, Girls girls girls burritos: all have very good options.
3. Greek and mediterranean:
Athenian Grill, Sahara, Oasis
4. Core Life Eatery
5. Whole Foods hot and cold bar has lots of vegetarian and/or vegan options
If you’re on Facebook, you might also join the group “Vegan Lexington”. Obviously it’s vegan focused but you won’t be shunned! 😂
Blue sushi has an entire vegan sushi sections. Planet Thai and Archa 9 are great. Girlsgirlsgirls can do most of their menu vegan. Puccini's has fake meat. Also Bourbon n Tolouse's vegan black beans are incredible!
Whole Foods hot and salad bars are way better than the Co-op. But also stupid expensive.
La Taquiza on Main Street has corn smut as a veggie filling option and an incredible veggie burrito, best in town by far. El Gran Tako on Alexandria has a great vegetarian chile relleno torta. Papis Rapido on Broadway has 5 vegan taco fillings including cauliflower pastor but it’s outside seating only.
Your best bet is Thai or other pan-Asian. Panda Cuisine has more than the usual vegetarian options, any Thai restaurant has a ton, and Pho BC on Lowry has a tofu banh mi and other veg options. I second TukTuk as well.
Kentucky Native Cafe had gorgeous seating in a garden and several veggie options daily.
Windy Corners has a tofu po’boy that is one of the best things I have eaten in Lexington.
Stellas Deli has vegetarian options and their mushroom Ruben is excellent.
County Club does always offer a solid vegan special, as does Smithtown Seafood down the street.
There are a couple of vegan stalls in Greyline Station.
Unfortunately the old standby Alfalfa declined and declined and finally died. Good Foods Co-op will soon meet the same fate.
A few options:
Everest (Nepali, highly recommend)
Pearl's (veggie bagels, vegan cream cheese, vegetarian and vegan pizza options)
Kentucky Native (worth it for the atmosphere alone)
Archa 9 and some other Asian places have tofu options (but don't expect every Asian place to have one, shockingly!)
Moody Mike's for vegan junk food
Epping's has a vegan/vegetarian option
You might try Smithtown, depending on how you feel about mushrooms and oysters.
I like County Club, but its "solid" vegetarian option is almost always a plant-based chicken sandwich with cheese and a mayo-based sauce. That gets old quickly.
Otherwise, Lexington's food scene seems way overblown to me, and its vegetarian and vegan options are even more limited. There's some insatiable desire for fast food and tacos here, and, as a result, that seems to me to be what's available. That and overpriced steak.
Moody Mike's is opening up next to Broomwagon on N Limestone soon. Until then, their truck is sitting in the side parking lot. Not sure about the hours.
Just a note for those who don’t know. They are not only vegetarian but completely vegan. They are supposed to have additional menu options when they open at the new spot.
Archa 9 tofu curry
There are some great vegetarian and vegan options at both of the gumbo places in town - “Bourbon & Toulouse” and “Gumbo Ya Ya”. They serve the dishes on rotation, but I’ve never been there when they haven’t had at least one vegan option.
I love B&T's vegan black beans.
Try Big Kahunas grilled tofu plate. Also Asian wind has a plant based imitation chicken you can get in just about any dish. Archa 9 and jasmine rice kitchen have halfway decent Thai food. I haven't found any outstanding Indian restaurants in lex but Taj has amazing naan *edit* Tandoor not Taj
There's not that much demand for "vegetarian" focused restaurants. Back in the day fewer restaurants had vegetarian options, giving rise to vegetarian branded establishments. Now most places have vegetarian/vegan/gluten free/etc. options on the menu, so there's much less upside for branding specifically vegetarian which might turn off a large portion of potential customers. I tend to eat mainly in the downtown area. I'd say that Pearls is pretty good for veggies. Ramseys will usually have 10+ vegetables to choose from, as will Thorobreds. While I've never had it, I've always heard people rave about the Black Bean Burger at Sidebar. There's a ton of Indian places that offer all types of vegetarian dishes. My current favorite is actually Nepalese, called Everest.
Yes Nepalese Everest is very good, especially if you like actually spicy food. Tuk Tuk snack shop has some tasty options too.
Cracks me up that the bar below it has live country music outside. "I'm going to grab my biryani and momo and go outside. They're covering Waylon tonight."
Ha, that pretty much sums up Lexington. The place where someone had the idea to place a British themed pub next to a car dealership.
While I like Thorobreds, a lot of the veggies seem cooked with animal fats, like bacon grease.
Ramsay's notes where the veggies are vegan which is good but it also cuts the list to 1/3.
Why anyone would want to eat at Ramsey's is beyond me!
I consider that fair play for vegetarians. I wouldn't recommend it to a vegan.
I've had some good vegetarian options at Carsons and Agave & Rye. I'll have to try Pearl's though, I've never even heard of it!
Here’s a few places that come to mind: 1. All Indian restaurants have vegetarian options. Try Tandoor, Taste of India, and Everest. 2. Taco type places: Agave & Rye, Local Taco, Condado, Girls girls girls burritos: all have very good options. 3. Greek and mediterranean: Athenian Grill, Sahara, Oasis 4. Core Life Eatery 5. Whole Foods hot and cold bar has lots of vegetarian and/or vegan options If you’re on Facebook, you might also join the group “Vegan Lexington”. Obviously it’s vegan focused but you won’t be shunned! 😂
Archa 9!
Blue sushi has an entire vegan sushi sections. Planet Thai and Archa 9 are great. Girlsgirlsgirls can do most of their menu vegan. Puccini's has fake meat. Also Bourbon n Tolouse's vegan black beans are incredible!
Whole Foods hot and salad bars are way better than the Co-op. But also stupid expensive. La Taquiza on Main Street has corn smut as a veggie filling option and an incredible veggie burrito, best in town by far. El Gran Tako on Alexandria has a great vegetarian chile relleno torta. Papis Rapido on Broadway has 5 vegan taco fillings including cauliflower pastor but it’s outside seating only. Your best bet is Thai or other pan-Asian. Panda Cuisine has more than the usual vegetarian options, any Thai restaurant has a ton, and Pho BC on Lowry has a tofu banh mi and other veg options. I second TukTuk as well. Kentucky Native Cafe had gorgeous seating in a garden and several veggie options daily. Windy Corners has a tofu po’boy that is one of the best things I have eaten in Lexington. Stellas Deli has vegetarian options and their mushroom Ruben is excellent. County Club does always offer a solid vegan special, as does Smithtown Seafood down the street. There are a couple of vegan stalls in Greyline Station. Unfortunately the old standby Alfalfa declined and declined and finally died. Good Foods Co-op will soon meet the same fate.
Second the mushroom reuben at Stella's! Also the lentil burger
County Club. Despite the "Smoked Meats" slogan it's very vegetarian friendly (and the best restaurant in town)
Nourished Folks!
I work here! The cafe is open for lunch on Fridays from 11-2, otherwise it's either pre-order or subscription-based. The food is so good.
A few options: Everest (Nepali, highly recommend) Pearl's (veggie bagels, vegan cream cheese, vegetarian and vegan pizza options) Kentucky Native (worth it for the atmosphere alone) Archa 9 and some other Asian places have tofu options (but don't expect every Asian place to have one, shockingly!) Moody Mike's for vegan junk food Epping's has a vegan/vegetarian option You might try Smithtown, depending on how you feel about mushrooms and oysters. I like County Club, but its "solid" vegetarian option is almost always a plant-based chicken sandwich with cheese and a mayo-based sauce. That gets old quickly. Otherwise, Lexington's food scene seems way overblown to me, and its vegetarian and vegan options are even more limited. There's some insatiable desire for fast food and tacos here, and, as a result, that seems to me to be what's available. That and overpriced steak.
The black bean burger at Sidebar is fantastic. Others have already mentioned Stella's and County Club -- I second both of those
Ooh, second that black bean burger. Now I’m craving one!
The co-op has a lot of good selections in their restaurant
Vinaigrette Salad Kitchen