Vegan Delights

vegan restaurants, portland vegan restaurants, oregon restaurants

written by Julie Lee | photo courtesy of Prasad


Vegan has changed. Once a way of eating attributed to tree-hugging, tie-dye-wearing hippies (from our own experience, perhaps?), it’s now a movement—vegan and vegetarian restaurants with staying power are popping up everywhere. Thanks to documentaries like Forks over Knives and Hungry for Change, choosing to bypass animal-centric dishes in favor of brassica-based ones is entirely en vogue. Here’s a handful of our favorite vegan joints in Portland.

 

Blossoming Lotus

Blossoming Lotus in Portland was one in a group of vegan restaurants (let’s not go crazy and call it a chain) founded in 2002 with locations in Hawaii, California and the Pearl District, based on the concept of Vegan World Fusion Cuisine. After years of P-town success tucked in a small corner in the Pearl, Blossoming Lotus expanded to its current location in 2009. Lunch, brunch, dinner, bakery, bar—this is a popular vegan establishment for good reason.

1713 NE 15th Ave. | blpdx.com

 

Prasad

What replaced Blossoming Lotus also lands on our top five. Prasad West doesn’t have the space or the seating to accommodate the growing PDX vegan movement, but it’s a great stop for a quick shot of wheatgrass and a good veggie bowl to go. Two other sister locations, Prasad East inside the Portland Rock Gym and Harlow on SE Hawthorne, offer a bit more elbow room and the same tasty fare.

West: 925 NW Davis St. | East: 21 NE 12th Ave. | prasadcuisine.com
Harlow: 3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd. | harlowpdx.com

 

The Whole Bowl

Portland is blessed with food cart options. One of our favorites, veggie-based or not, is The Whole Bowl. It does happen to be vegetarian, so it fits nicely here, and it happens to be one of a handful of original carts, launched in 2001. The Whole Bowl is simply a big bowl of rice, beans, cilantro, cheese (thus vegetarian, not vegan) and avocado, and a delicious sauce. You can make this a vegan option by skipping the cheese and sour cream.

Six locations, catering and delivery options | thewholebowl.com

 

Sweet Hereafter

Many vegans still like a good drink, contrary to stereotype. Sweet Hereafter offers an ample list of cocktails, served in mason jars and paired with a blackened tempeh sandwich. This is a hipster spot not unlike many other plaid-laden hangs in Portland, only vegan, and with a sweet covered patio.

3326 SE Belmont St.hereafterpdx.com

 

Portobello Vegan Trattoria

Portobello Vegan Trattoria is to vegans what Ringside is to carnivores. It’s where you go when you want to treat yourself to a three-course experience, with ambience and a glass of vino. Start with the beet tartare, get the portobello steak as a main, and finish with the vegan tiramisu. You may never miss meat again.

1125 SE Division St.portobellopdx.com

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