Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Cleveland

2011-05-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

(Last updated 05/27/11)

WELCOME!

Are you a vegan in Cleveland? Or are you just visiting but want the latest vegan hook-up?

Well, we've got your back.

This site is a constantly-expanding list of vegan-friendly establishments in the Cleveland area.

RESTAURANTS/ESTABLISHMENTS BY NAME

As you can see in the sidebar, restaurants (and grocers!) can be found according to location, food-type, and name. You will also find a few links to vegan fast-food listings as well as a more thorough listing of vegan-friendly chain-restaurants.

REVIEWS: All are written by your loyal vegan compatriot, Lindy Loo, of Yeah, That "Vegan" Shit, so take them as you will. And if you have your own two-cents to add about a restaurant, pleasepleaseplease leave a comment. The more information folks have to go on, the better.

COMMENTS:
Click on restaurant name and scroll to the bottom to leave a comment.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONS:
Click here to email me

KEY:

All **** ratings:
Out of a possible four-stars.

COST:
(for a meal, not including tip)
$ = $0 to $7 or so
$$ = $7 to $12 or so
$$$ = $12+

Happy eating!

Sincerely,

Lindy Loo

In conjunction with...

-and-

Yeah, That "Vegan" Shit

TRADER JOE'S

2009-03-05T07:09:00.000-08:00

Westlake
175 Market St
Westlake, OH 44145
(440) 250-1592

Woodmere
28809 Chagrin Blvd
Beachwood, OH 44122
Phone: (216) 360-9320

WEBSITE

Vegan Options: Check out their frequently updated list of vegan products HERE

Number of vegan options: Great

Quality of food: Great

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Because it's Trader Joe's, for pete's sake! Or because you want to stock up on some cheap vegan goodies like soyrizo or mayonnaise.

DEAGAN'S KITCHEN & BAR

2009-03-05T07:08:00.001-08:00

14810 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, Ohio 44107
(On the northwest corner of Warren and Detroit)
216.767.5775
deagan@deagans.com

Type of food: Bar food; American

WEBSITE

ON FACEBOOK

MENU

Comments: Wednesdays nights are Vegetarian/Vegan Nights, featuring 6-8 vegetarian or vegan specials. Follow them on Facebook and you can find out their vegan specials for the night before you even leave the house. They are also very receptive and knowledgeable about what's vegan. And during brunch, they have a make-your-own bloody mary bar, and although I don't like blood marys, it's still pretty awesome.

Recommendations: You wouldn't think oatmeal would be something worth recommending, but topped with fresh berries, it's delish.

Number of vegan options: ** (**** on Wednesdays)

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (Cute and quirky but also big and bar-like)

Cost: $$/$$$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want to impress someone with a weird but fantastic brunch or you just want cute bar ambience and damn good food.

ANNEMARIE'S DAIRY AT THE WESTSIDE MARKET

2009-03-05T07:08:00.000-08:00

W. 25th & Lorain
Cleveland, OH
STAND: H-4, H-5
216-344-9333

You may be wondering why a dairy-stand would be on a vegan blog, but Annemarie's offers a plethora of vegan options.

Webpage

Vegan Options: Vegan cheeses, soy milk, vegan margarines, veggie burgers, an assortment of vegan deli-slices, tempeh, seitan options, vegan mayonnaises & whipped "creams," and much much more

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're shuddering at all the meat slabs hanging all over the place and want a reminder that there ARE indeed people with you in this game of life. Either that, or you just need some vegan whipped cream for that pumpkin pie you're making on the weekend.

POISON BERRY BAKERY

2009-03-05T06:58:00.001-08:00

Currently selling products at the Phoenix Coffee on Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights:
2287 Lee Rd.
Cleveland Hts., OH

To place an order:
440-477-2078
jennn@poisonberrybakery.com

Type of food: Sweets

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

Recommendations: Not yet verified

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: N/A

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN

2009-03-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

In Legacy Village
25365 Cedar Rd.
Lyndhurst, OH 44124

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: HERE

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

(Suggested by Tami @ Vegan Appetite)

FAHRENHEIT

2009-03-05T06:54:00.000-08:00

2417 Professor Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
216.781.8858

Type of food: Classy American fare

WEBSITE

ON FACEBOOK

MENU

Comments: Their happy hour, which runs from 5 to 7pm, includes a Vegan Ravioli starter for just $4--it's small but pair it with a salad and you can eat at a pretty upper scale restaurant for under $10, you just need to eat at the bar. They also offer a 3 for 30 Menu during the same time, Mondays through Thursdays, and it always has a vegan option as well.

Vegan Options: Vegan~Slow Roasted Tomato and Wild Mushroom Bolognese, Tossed with Truffle Pappardelle; Vegan Ravioli

Recommendations: Their vegan ravioli is delish.

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (It can be a bit stuffy, but since the happy hour is cheap, it's a little less between 5 and 7 during the week)

Cost: $$$ (but $ during happy hour)

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want to show off your sneaky local vegan food prowess to a date and maybe get him a little drunk for cheap.

BAC ASIAN AMERICAN BISTRO & BAR

2009-03-05T06:46:00.000-08:00

Corner of West 14th & Auburn
2661 West 14th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 938-8960

Type of food: Asian American

WEBSITE

MENU

Comments: Bac is really conscientious about being up on what's vegan, so (particularly with specials) all you need to do is ask, and he's more than happy to help out with suggestions.

Recommendations: Kim chee noodles. Avocado green curry (best curry ever). Red curry noodle stew (you will ALWAYS have leftovers for the next day).

Number of vegan options: ***

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (Good date vibe and cute inside)

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You don't want to be bar-hopping on an empty stomach. OR you have a date you'd like to impress without breaking the bank.

TINK HOLL

2009-03-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

1735 E. 36 St.
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 696-1717

Vegan Options: Ridiculous amounts of tofu & tofu variations, all sorts of faux meats (salmon, lamb, etc.)

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're a big fan of Asian food and want to stock up on hordes and hordes of inexpensive faux-meat ingredients.

CINAGRO'S NATURAL FOODS MARKET

2009-03-05T06:40:00.000-08:00

13387 Smith Rd.
Middleburg Heights, OH
44130-7810
(440) 888-7727

Number of vegan options: Not yet verified

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

(Suggested by Janet)

UDUPI CAFE

2009-03-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

6339 Olde York Rd
Cleveland, OH 44130
440-743-7154

Vegan Options: Unsure--restaurant is 100% vegetarian & supposedly has vegan options (I've had several people tell me this); however, the last time I ate there (after going vegan), they were incredibly unhelpful, said they couldn't cook any of their ghee items without the ghee, and told me that the only vegan option was one soup on their menu... I used to LOVE this place as a vegetarian though, so I will try to look into this when I have some more time.

Number of vegan options: Not yet verified

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

(Suggested by Janet)

CUISINE OF INDIA

2009-03-05T06:33:00.000-08:00

6857 W 130th St
Cleveland, OH 44130
(440) 842-5807

Vegan Options: Vegan options are noted on their menu

Number of vegan options: Not yet verified

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

(Suggested by Janet)

THE HAPPY DOG

2009-03-05T06:25:00.000-08:00

5801 Detroit Avenue
(Corner of Detroit & W. 58)
Cleveland, OH 44102-3001
(216) 651-9474

Type of food: Bar food

On FACEBOOK

MENU

Comments: The menu is essentially $5 hot dogs that you can pile high with as many of the 50+ toppings they offer on their menu. They also have fries, tater tots, and falafel.

Recommendations: Vegan hot dog with garbanzo bean chili, portobello mushrooms, and potato chips. Also, if you hit their pre-7pm happy hour, you can get a giant miller lite for just $2.

Number of vegan options: ****

Straight from the mouth of the Happy Dog: "Good news to report on the vegan front - we fry the tots and fries in vegetable oil, we'll have plenty of falafel, and we will be replacing the vegetarian Morningstar Sausage with a Vegan Italian Sausage produced by Field Roast in time for your event. The Field Roast sausage is approximately a quarter pound (so bigger than the Morningstar dog) and tastes great. Here's a link to Field Roast's facebook page for more info: Field Roast"

NOTE: You may want to verbally point out to the bartenders/servers that you are asking for a veggie hotdog. There IS a checkbox, but two of us ordered them yesterday, and they served us regular hotdogs, despite the fact that we'd checked off the veggie box. IF YOUR HOT DOG IS PINK, IT IS NOT A VEGGIE HOTDOG. The veggie hotdogs are actually veggie sausages and are grayish with bits and pieces of spices in them.

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (Huge bar with a delightful mix of hipsters and non-hipsters, and music and trivia and other fun events)

Cost: $

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You had a shitty day at work and want to drink and eat your sorrows away with some super-cheap beer and gratuitously sloppy hot dogs.

Food Porn:

BD'S MONGOLIAN BARBEQUE

2009-03-05T06:24:00.001-08:00

1854 Coventry Rd.
Cleveland Heights OH 44118
(216) 932-1185

Type of food: Generically "asian"

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: Since it's "create your own stir-fry," you can essentially pick and choose through a plethora of veggies & tofu. The only potentially non-vegan part of making your stir-fry is the sauces, but they list out all the ingredients HERE, so just take a peek before heading out there for dinner. Oh, and when you go up to stir-fry it, tell them it's veg and you can either have them cook it in the back for you or they'll just separate it off from the others so that meat doesn't mix in. (The only bad thing if you cook it on the big grill is that you inevitably pick up a scrap or two of other stirfries in your own. So be forewarned.)

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: **

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're in the mood for stir-fry but are too lazy to go to the grocery store to craft your own.

MUSTARD SEED MARKET AND CAFE

2009-03-05T06:24:00.000-08:00

Uptown Solon Shopping Center
6025 Kruse Drive
Solon, OH 44139
General: 440.519.3663
Cafe: 440.519.3600

GENERAL WEBSITE

CAFE WEBSITE & MENUS

Vegan Options: bulleted (•) on their menu; apparently they have a great vegetarian buffet on Saturday afternoons with lots of vegan options; and the Fairlawn cafe always has a vegan and macrobiotic special on their lunch and dinner menus.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: $$-$$$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

(Suggested by Janet)

MAGGIANO'S

2009-03-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

in Legacy Village
26300 Cedar Rd. #1103
Beachwood, OH 44122-1190
216-755-3000

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: They have been emailed to verify the following, but right now it looks like the Angel Hair with Coach Joey Z's Pomodoro Sauce may be vegan as well as the bruschetta (just make sure they know you're vegan and they won't use butter).

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not been reviewed yet

Maggiano's Email:

March 13, 2009

Dear Ms. Loo [hee],

Thank you for contacting Maggiano's Little Italy for information on our vegetarian menu items. Since there is no single vegetarian eating pattern, our company dietitian has compiled the list below of suggested menu options for the various types of vegetarian diets. We hope that you will find this list to be helpful.

If a desired item does not appear on the list below, our chefs will gladly try to accommodate special dietary needs by custom-preparing a meal using any ingredients that we have available in our kitchen. However, please be aware that none of our food items are certified vegetarian. Additionally, many of our recipes contain meat, fish, egg and dairy products and normal kitchen operations involve the sharing of cooking and preparation areas, including common fryer oil. Therefore, it is possible for any food item, including fried vegetables, to come into contact with animal products during the cooking process.

When visiting a Maggiano's, please make your special dietary needs known to your server. Our chefs are available to visit your table and personally assist you with meal recommendations as well as create a dish specifically suited to your needs. Please do not hesitate to ask as no request is ever too great. Maggiano's takes great pride in meeting guests' special dietary requests.

...

Suggested Menu Options for Vegans (contains no meat, dairy or egg):
Any of our salads can be prepared without meat, eggs or cheese. Any of our pasta dishes can be prepared with only Garlic and Olive Oil. Any of our string pastas only (does not include Ravioli, Gnocchi, Lasagna or any fresh pastas) Salad Dressings: House and Italian

Thanks again for contacting us. Good luck with your website project.

Sincerely,
Lisa Appler
Guest Relations

(Suggested by Tami @ Vegan Appetite)

NO WHEY CANDIES

2009-03-05T06:04:00.000-08:00

Where:

Currently selling online;

Will be at Shaker Square Farmer's Market when it goes outside;

Could deliver to people on the east side of Cleveland suburbs if orders placed by phone: 216-544-3057 or e-mail: veganlcnw(at)gmail.com

WEBSITE

VEGAN ETSY SHOP

Vegan Options: All choices are vegan. Their mission statement: "We proudly state that NO Whey Candies uses only strictly Vegan Products and organicly grown when possible. None of our products will ever contain bone char refined sugars, NO honey, NO Gelatin, NO animal by products or derivatives of any kind. Let us know if you have craved an old stand by candy that is not in our inventory and we will make it a 5 star Vegan candy rave." (Check out ingredients HERE)

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: They were kind enough to send me a sampler, so I can verify that the chocolates are indeed very good. I particularly recommend the cats meow bark.

Ambience: N/A

Cost: $$

Note: They are a cottage industry and at this time can only sell to Ohio residents.

BEACHLAND BALLROOM & TAVERN

2009-03-05T06:02:00.000-08:00

15711 Waterloo Rd.
Cleveland, OH
216-383-1124

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan-Friendly Brunch: 11am to 3pm, Sundays

HOURS:

Only open til 11 on nights of Ballroom/Tavern events

Open Sundays, 11-3pm

Number of vegan options: ***

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You roll out of bed on a lazy Sunday morning, still hung-over, and craving a greasy breakfast to settle things down. OR you just realized there's a band playing there tonight that you've been wanting to see since forever, but you're in a time-crunch and if you want to make the opener, you have to skip dinner.

Cost: $$

P.F. CHANG'S

2009-03-05T05:43:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

Beachwood
26001 Chagrin Boulevard
Beachwood, OH 44122
Phone: (216) 292-1411

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: Everything from the vegetarian menu can be made vegan, from appetizers such as Tofu Lettuce Wraps to entrees like Orange Peel Tofu.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (got a ritzy, date-vibe to it)

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want to impress that vegan boy/girl with a kind of romantic dinner that won't break your wallet.

Cost: $$-$$$

MACARONI GRILLE

2009-03-05T05:40:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

N. Olmsted-RMG
25001 Country Club Blvd.
N. Olmsted, OH 44070
440-734-9980

Strongsville-RMG
17095 Southpark Center
Strongsville, OH 44136-9307
440-878-3000

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: all the pastas with garlic and oil, Capellini Pomodoro. Or--without the cheese: Tomato Bruschetta, Penne Arrabbiata, house or garden salads (with balsamic vinaigrette, Italian, or roasted garlic vinaigrette dressings).

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: **

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You like to draw on tables and you wouldn't mind having some pasta while you do so.

Cost: $$-$$$

RUBY TUESDAY

2009-03-05T05:38:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

GARFIELD HTS.
Phone: 216-581-9656
9601 Vista Way
Garfield Heights, OH 44125

SEVEN HILLS
Phone: 216-447-1662
7331 BROADVIEW ROAD
SEVEN HILLS, OH 44131

BEACHWOOD
Phone: 216-464-2700
24325 CHAGRIN BOULEVARD
BEACHWOOD, OH 44122

NORTH OLMSTED
Phone: 440-716-9499
26774 LORAIN ROAD
NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070

AURORA
Phone: 330-995-0401
7135 N. AURORA RD
AURORA, OH 44202

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: Veggie burger that's vegan if you leave off mayo & cheese (recommend adding on avocado--mmm)

Number of vegan options: *

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: **

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Your co-workers have coerced you into grabbing lunch and they're the sort that are unsettled by anything other than chain restaurants--hey, at least they have a veggie burger. Suck it up.

Cost: $$

TREEHUGGER'S CAFE

2009-03-05T05:11:00.000-08:00

1330 Bagley Road Unit 1
Berea, Ohio 44017
440-342-4901

Type of food: Sandwiches, soups, salads, all-day breakfast (items that are vegan or can be MADE vegan have a little V next to them)

WEBSITE

MENU

Hours (as of 3/4/09):
Monday-Thursday: 7:00a-8:00p
Friday & Saturday: 7:00a-9:00p
Sunday: 10:00a-8:00p

Number of vegan options: ***

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

Cost: $-$$

BREADSMITH

2009-03-05T05:08:00.000-08:00

18101 Detroit Avenue
corner of Detroit and West Clifton
Lakewood, OH 44107
216-529-8443
(For those of you familiar with Nature's Bin, it's about a block or two down.)

Type of food: Breads (duh) and a plethora of vegan sweets

WEBSITE

VEGAN MENU

Hours (as of 3/4/2009):
Monday: Closed
Tuesday ~ Friday: 7am ~ 7pm
Saturday: 7am ~ 5pm
Sunday: 8am ~ 4pm

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

Cost: $

THAI ORCHID

2009-03-05T05:07:00.001-08:00

7329 Mentor Ave.
Mentor, OH
440-942-6752

Type of food: Thai

Recommendations: Tofu royale (ask for no fish sauce)

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: ***

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You are lost and somehow ended up in Mentor (god only knows why) and you're in the mood for Thai.

Cost: $$-$$$

THE VEGITERRANEAN

2009-03-05T05:05:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

Akron
21 Furnace St.
in the Northside Lofts
Just North of Downtown Akron

WEBSITE

LUNCH MENU

DINNER MENU

Vegan Options: Their menus (and reputation) boast: "The VegiTerranean is a Vegan and Kosher Friendly restaurant. Please make us aware of any dietary restrictions you may have." So vegan options are obviously plentiful.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (got a ritzy, date-vibe to it)

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want an excuse to dress up a bit or you're celebrating a special occasion.

Cost: $$$-$$$$

Food Porn:

Potato Gnocchi

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Italian Fritto Gardein Scallopini

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

PACIFIC EAST

2009-03-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

1763 Coventry Rd.
Cleveland Hts., OH
216-320-2302

Type of food: Japanese

Comments: In my group of veggie friends, many of whom are well-versed in sushi restaurants, this is a favorite (in both Cleveland and in general). I've only had sushi at about three different restaurants myself, but Pacific East definitely stands out among those three restaurants. Plus, it's cute and hip inside, like a little taste of NYC in Cleveland.

Recommendations: Side salad with ginger dressing, sweet potato sushi (arghlghlghlhglhglhgl) and avocado sushi.

To steer clear of: Miso soup (apparently has fish in the broth)

Number of vegan options: **** (assuming you're a fan of sushi)

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're feeling a little bit NYC and craving sushi.

Cost: $$-$$$

EL TANGO TAQUERIA

2009-03-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

14224 Madison Ave
Lakewood, OH
216-226-9999

Comments: The owner seems to be clueless and determined to be unhelpful when it comes to vegan items, but if you ask the right employee, some of them know their shit. I was told that the burritos are vegan if ordered without cheese. They also have the standard chips and salsa as well as a soup or two that's vegan if ordered without cheese. The burritos put Chipotle to shame (they're like the size of an upper extremity), so they're definitely worth the money.

Recommendations: Their veggie burritos, no cheese. Tortilla chips and three-salsa combo.

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want a burrito as big as your head but are sick of Chipotle.

Cost: $$

GRUMPY'S CAFE

2009-03-05T04:28:00.000-08:00

2621 West 14th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113
(216) 241-5025

Type of food: American

WEBSITE & MENUS

Number of vegan options: ***

Quality of food: **

Ambience: **

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're in the neighborhood and in the mood for quick grub in a cute location.

Straight from Grumpy's (vegan options)...

Hello, Lindy Loo,

"Our brunch menu (which we serve everyday until noon and until 3pm on sat/sun) has hearty oatmeal, & veggie burrito (w/out cheese). Our lunch/dinner menu has our texas caviar appetizer (which is completely vegan and can be served at any meal), the vegetable salad, the texas caviar salad, grilled vegetable wrap (w/out cheese), vegetable reuben (again w/no cheese), garlic chicken & broccoli pasta (w/out chicken), kathy's spicy vegetable burrito (w/out cheese) and the vegetarian stir fry. Our website is www.grumpys-cafe.com if you would like a little bit more description on each of these entree's. We have specials everyday as well (including 3 homemade soups) and we always have at least one vegetarian option. We are a very customer friendly restaurant so if you would like to substitute anything- do not hesitate to ask. If we can do it- then we will! Let me know if you have anymore questions for me and when you get the info up and running- I'll help spread the word! Thanks so much and hopefully this helps!

-Dani Owad"

LILLY HANDMADE CHOCOLATES

2009-03-05T04:09:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

761 Starkweather Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
216-771-3333

Type of food: Chocolates, truffles, & beer

WEBSITE

Vegan Options: Straight from her website: "The Redhead, After Midnight and In the Pink are all vegan/dairy-free. Also, dark chocolate Bliss Bars, Chomp Monsters & dark chocolate Lilly Barq are also vegan/dairy-free."

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: Soooooooooooo good. I highly recommend the Chomp Monster ("a fan favorite! Dark chocolate with Black Mission Figs, Roasted English Walnuts & just a touch of Sea Salt"). Also vegan are the following nibblings:

After Midnight--"Bitter chocolate stout mixed with intense dark chocolate for a crazy rich fan favorite!"

The Redhead--"She stands out in a crowd and loves the attention! Intense dark chocolate truffle that is filled with a blueberry vintage port ganache."

In the Pink--This one's not listed out on the website, but it was our favorite of the three and I think it was cranberries in a berry drink of some sort.

Ambience: It's not sit-down or eat-in, but it's definitely a cute little hip shop.

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You want to have a romantical night with someone and you figure chocolate and booze is likely the way to go.

Cost: $$$

Food Porn:

The Chomp Monster

From left to right: After Midnight,
The Redhead, and In the Pink

SWEET MELISSA

2009-03-05T04:04:00.000-08:00

19337 Detroit Road
Rocky River, OH 44116
440.333.6357

Type of food: Brunch, lunch, American, etc.

WEBSITE & MENUS

Recommendations: Not yet verified--but soon

Comments: All their vegan options have two asterisks next to them so you don't have to pester the server with questions. They also appear to have at least three vegan desserts, all of which sound awesome, including a chocolate peanut butter torte. Sweet jesus.

Number of vegan options: *** (The nice thing is, they have all vegan options marked so you know)

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: $$/$$$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

MOMOCHO

2009-03-05T03:27:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

1835 Fulton Rd.
(Ohio City)
Cleveland, OH 44113

Type of food: Mexican

WEBSITE

DINNER MENU

Vegan Options: Straight from their chef, Eric:

"we have some vegan options / a lot of vegetarian items / i tend to use dairy + cheese in many options; however, here is a list of vegan items / also if you come into momocho please mention you're vegan / many times the server can make suggestions to the chef on duty so we may be able to make something "special"
[Vegan:] guacamoles + salsas with tortilla chips / sofrito green beans / borracho black beans / steamed white rice / habanero pickled red onions / spinach with raisens + pumpkin seeds" (sent 3/3/10)

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

Cost: $$$

JOHNNY MANGO

2009-03-04T13:32:00.000-08:00

3120 Bridge Ave.
Cleveland, OH
216-575-1919

Type of food: World cuisine

Menu

Comments: They are super-helpful when it comes to veganizing stuff--just ask. Basically, you usually just need to say "veganize it" and they'll hook you up without you even having to say another word. If you get a big-plate, the portions are ridiculously generous.

Vegan Options, Straight from Johnny Mango: "Hi Lindy Loo! Johnny Mango LOVES vegans! Guacamole/chips and salsa, Plantains, Fried Tofu, The Busboy Special (beans/rice/veggie of the day), Veggie Burritos, Calypso Salad, Miso Soup….. isn’t it GREAT to have lots of choices?! The Pad Thai and Fried Rice can be made vegan. Scrambled tofu for brunch! $1 Black Bean Tacos on Tuesdays! Soymilk juice drinks! Margaritas! …… does it ever end?! Love ya, Shelley Mango" (3/11/09)

Recommendations: Pad thai (veganized--just ask); burrito big-plates (my fav is the mushroom, tomato, garlic one and I add on avocado and black beans)--ask to veganize; fried tofu (ask for vegan dipping sauce); caribbean french fries; and the Tingle to drink.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're in the mood to gorge yourself on beans and lentils until you can't feel your feet anymore (go, bigplate!).

Cost: $$

TOMMY'S ON COVENTRY

2009-03-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

1824 Coventry Rd.
Cleveland Hts., OH
216-321-7757

Type of food: Diner-esque.

Menu

Vegan Options: HERE

More info...

Comments: They know their vegan stuff, so inquire when you have questions and you should have no problems getting answers. Some of the vegan stuff is marked as such, some is not. They have vegan mozzarella though which they'll gladly substitute on your salad.Recommendations: French onion soup (sans cheese), veggie burger, BBQ seitan sandwich, taco salad (all of which are vegan or can be made vegan)

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: ***

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're feeling kind of granola, maybe a little bit hippie, and/or you just don't want to have to ask 2000 questions about what's vegan or not.

Cost: $$-$$$

Food Porn:

Veggie Burger

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Chocolate-PB Tofutti Milkshake

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

SZECHWAN GARDEN

2009-03-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

13800 Detroit Ave
Lakewood, OH
216-226-1987

Type of food: Chinese

MENU

Comments: The have a full zen-menu, all of which is vegetarian. Including (as long as I'm understanding them correctly) bizarre things like vegetarian chicken legs, vegetarian squid, and vegetarian ribs, among others. Not sure how much of these are VEGAN as well, but definitely worth checking out to inquire. If you DO find out, holler. Either which way, even if some of their faux-meats/seafoods aren't vegan, they have plenty of tofu and veg dishes that surely are.

Recommendations: Vegan sweet n' sour "chicken," babies!

Number of vegan options: **** (they have a whole vegetarian menu)

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: ***

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You miss the olden days of greasy Chinese food where you didn't have to ask about fish sauce or other suspicious ingredients

Cost: $$-$$$

Food Porn:

Zen Sweet & Sour Chicken

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

MELT BAR & GRILLED

2009-03-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

LAKEWOOD:

14718 Detroit Ave.
Lakewood, OH
216-226-3699

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS:

13463 Cedar Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
(216) 965-0988

Type of food: Sandwiches and bar food

WEBSITE

MENU

Comments: They have two vegan cheezes, so you can order most vegetarian sandwiches with vegan cheez subbed in. They also have a plethora of other vegan options--you can read letters from the owner detailing them below.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: It gets insanely packed on weekend nights (think 2-hour wait), so prepare yourself. Also: the french fries at the Cleveland Heights location are not vegan--they are cooked in oil with the meats.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (Cute and hipsterry)

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're in the mood for an ooey gooey grilled cheez that's SO big you can barely wrap your mouth around it, and you want to eat it while watching some campy classic like old Transformers episodes or Evil Dead.

Straight from the owner...

Hello, Lindy Loo,

We actually have alot of great selections that are vegan. All our vegetable based sandwiches can be made with vegan cheese or without cheese. The mushroom melt, roasted veggie sandwich and peanut butter and banana can all be made vegan.

We have a 3 bean vegetarian chili and roasted garlic tomato soup on our menu everyday which are both vegan. We also make a daily soup which is sometimes vegan. Our fried tofu starter and all our salads can be vegan.

So as you can see, we have many vegan options. Let me know if you need any more info.

Thanks!!

Matt Fish

FOLLOW-UP (REGARDING THE MARGARINE THEY USE):

Hello, Lindy Loo,

The margarine that we use is exclusively vegan all the time. It is a total vegetable based product.

Glad you had a chance to come and check out the restaurant. Also very glad to hear that you enjoyed yourself and your food.

Let me know if I can help in any other way.

Thanks
Matt Fish

Food Porn:

Vegan Gyro (A Special for the Month of August)

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

The Kindergarten

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

NOW THAT'S CLASS

2009-03-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

11213 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH
216-221-8576

WEBSITE

MENU

Type of food: A bar that serves vegan pizza Sundays nights from 6 to 9pm, and vegan specials on Tuesday nights (after 9pm).

Comments: They also frequently feature bands, and they have different drink specials from night to night (for example, one of the nights, your first beer is free if you ride your bike there).

Number of vegan options: **** (during designated times)

Quality of food: **** (Holy crap can they rock out a vegan philly cheezsteak)

Ambience: **** (Noisy bar crowd)

Cost: $

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You just wanna slump down in a stool with a couple good friends, eat greasy, play Centipede, and booze it the hell up against a backdrop of punk music.

Food Porn:

Cleveland Cheese Steak

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Macaroni and Cheese

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

TREMONT SCOOPS

2009-03-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

2362 Professor Ave.
Cleveland OH
216-781-0352

Type of food: Ice cream and desserts

WEBSITE

Comments: Hurray for Marianne and the magic she works on veganizing cold treats! Vegan specials often change: They typically have some sort of vegan pie-slices available, but the flavors vary depending on the week. They also have tried-and-true vegan goodies that stick around regularly in their cases (ice-cream sammiches, choc-covered bananas, fudge-bars) and, for special occasions, you can special-order vegan ice cream cakes and pies. For my 30th b-day, I was the recipient of the 1st ice cream cake they ever sold. Thus, I share the pic, so that you may drool away:

Recommendations: Cookie ice-cream sammiches, vegan oreo pie

Number of vegan options: ****

According to Marianne, when they reopen April 10 they "will have scoopable vanilla "ice cream" that can be made into sundaes, shakes and vegan versions of some of our specialty sundaes (think banana splits, fudge brownie delights, tin roof sundaes, to name a few). [She] will also be doing weekly cupcake and cookie specials and other surprises." So all the more reason to be excited about spring--woot!

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: **** (Think ice cream shop of your childhood)

Cost: $

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: It's 90-degrees out, you've been sitting in front of the fan in daisy dukes and your bikini top for hours, and you're jonesing for something cold like you wouldn't believe.

Food Porn:

Chocolate-Covered Banana
Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Vegan Oreo Pie

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

Mini Vegan Oreo Pie

INDIA GARDEN

2009-03-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

18405 DETROIT ROAD
LAKEWOOD, 44107
PHONE: 216.221.0676

Type of food: Indian

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: They make their food from scratch. And--according to the server I spoke to--they don't use ghee. They also seem to be very helpful if you let them know that you're vegan and/or looking for items with no milk-products, etc. in it.

Number of vegan options: Unsure, but as they make food to order, it seemed fairly limitless. I had the baigan bharta (the server said they'd make it without the cream) and it was delish.

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: *** (looks dumpy from the outside, but very cute inside)

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're getting a warm fuzzy for Indian food and you don't wanna break the bank.

NATURE'S BIN

2009-03-04T07:31:00.000-08:00

18120 Sloane Avenue
Lakewood, OH 44107
Phone (216) 521-4600

Number of vegan options: Very vegan-friendly grocery selection. The deli has a plethora of vegan options (including bakery) and they're all marked as vegan.

Quality of food: **** (The deli food is FANTASTIC.)

Cost: $$$ (The groceries are rather overpriced)

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: When you're looking for some picnic-grub or just feeling lazy in the cooking-department.

Food Porn:

Vegan Red-Velvet Cupcake

Click pic for review on Veggie Thing

MAHA'S CAFE

2009-03-04T06:55:00.000-08:00

Located Next To Metro Hospital
3323 West 25th Street
Cleveland Ohio, 44109

Type of food: Meditteranean

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: Not yet verified (but see John's note below)

Recommendations: Not yet verified

Number of vegan options: Not yet verified

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

Cost: $$-$$$

Suggested by John (thanks so much!) who said:

"Maha's Cafe on W25th by metro hosp is great and very vegan cooperative. They use seperate oil, tongs, etc! 23 yrs@ the west side mkt gained them a rep for best falafil. Baba to die for, good fries, tabouleh, etc. Nice family. Sending vegan love."

PALOOKAVILLE CHILI

2009-03-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

3900 Lorain Avenue
(between W 41st and Fulton)
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216 961 4810
Email: palookavillechili(at)gmail.com

Type of food: American grub

WEBSITE

MENU

Recommendations: Not yet verified.

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: $$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Post-concert hipster hunger.

TYFUN THAI BISTRO

2009-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

815 Jefferson Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113-4638

Type of food: Thai

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Options: I was told one of the last times I was there that all their vegetarian entree options are vegan, as long as you steer clear of the (usually optional) eggs.

Recommendations: #56--TOFU MA KEUR (Sautéed Japanese eggplant, fried tofu and basil leaves in chili garlic sauce)--love it SO MUCH.

Number of vegan options: ****

Quality of food: ****

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: It's your birthday and you want to celebrate with some wine, good food, and friends.

Cost: $$$

ONE-HIT WONDERS

2009-03-04T04:04:00.000-08:00

These are restaurants that have minimal selection but have been kind enough to add ONE vegan option to their menu, so that if you're dragged there by friends and family, at least there'll be SOMETHING you can eat...

FIRE FOOD & DRINK

LOCATION: Shaker Square

TYPE OF FOOD: American

WEBSITE

MENU

Vegan Option: tawny's vegan yellow curry quinoa, smoked eggplant, winter vegetables, sauteed spinach and cilantro puree 15/23

MAMA SANTA'S

12305 Mayfield Road
Cleveland, OH
216-231-9567

TYPE OF FOOD: Italian

Vegan option(s): Cheeseless pizzas with veggie toppings (so good though!!)

TOUCH SUPPER CLUB

2710 Lorain Ave
Cleveland OH, 44113
216.631.5200

TYPE OF FOOD: American & bar

WEBSITE & MENU

Vegan option(s): Roots – $15 (Vegan three ways)

GREAT LAKES BREWING CO.

2516 Market Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113-3434

TYPE OF FOOD: American & bar

MENU

Vegan Option(s): Homemade Vegan Burger--Our seasoned vegan burger served on a whole wheat bun with a side salad of mixed greens; I also think their fries are vegan if you ask them not to put the powdery cheese-stuff on them (or whatever it is)

BAR CENTO

1948 West 25th Street
Cleveland, OH 44113

TYPE OF FOOD: American & bar

MENU

Vegan Option(s): Vegan pizza--marinara, onions, garlic, tomato

WARNING: Their french fries are fried in duck fat. Blorf.

LUXE KITCHEN & LOUNGE

2009-03-04T03:57:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

6605 Detroit Ave
Cleveland, OH 44102

MENU

Vegan Options: I was told that their Vegetarian lasagna is vegan if ordered without the cheese, and that the grilled tofu sub is as well (although I think it comes with a non-vegan sauce, so make sure you ask about that). They also have a vegan cupcake! (Although it better be the best damn cupcake ever, seeing as it's $7!)

Number of vegan options: **

Quality of food: ***

Ambience: ****

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: If you want to show off to your date and/or get them liquored up and shmooz the socks off of them.

Cost: $$$-$$$$

SWEET MANGO THAI

2009-03-04T03:38:00.000-08:00

LOCATIONS:

STRONGSVILLE:
14610 Pearl Rd.
Strongsville, OH 44136
Tel. 440-238-9921 Fax. 440-238-2221

BEREA:
54 Front Street
Berea, OH 44107
Tel. 440-234-4816

Type of food: Thai

WEBSITE& MENU

Vegan Options: They have many vegetarian options (and a specific vegetarian section on their menu)

Number of vegan options: Not yet verified

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: Not yet verified

Cost: $$-$$$

Suggested by Sonia Di Fiore (thanks, Sonia!) who said:

"I would recommend that you check out and add Sweet Mango in Strongsville, as it is my favorite restaurant and they are very accommodating to vegans and have a vegetarian section on their menu, which is mostly vegan by the way anyway. Their food is amazing, fresh made to order, affordable and the restaurant is spotless and service is excellent! It is a smaller place and gets busy on the weekends, but that doesn't usually bother me cause I live in Strongsville and usually pop in for lunch or go during the week or get food to go- they are super quick and the food is delicious! They have a website (sweetmangoohio.com) and I guess they recently opened a Sweet Mango 2 in Berea, but I haven't been there yet.

vegan love..."

THE FLAMING ICE CUBE

2009-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

140 Public square
Cleveland, OH
216-263-1111

WEBSITE

MENU

Type of food: They serve everything from "homemade soups to fresh salads to the most amazing vegan burgers on the planet..."

Number of vegan options: ***** (All-vegan)

To note: Their menu states: "Vegan Exceptions: Chai contains honey. Whole wheat bread products may contain honey. We cannot guarantee source of L-cysteine in bread products. "

Quality of food: Not yet verified

Ambience: Not yet verified

Cost: $-$$

Under what circumstances would I find myself here: You're roaming around downtown and want vegan food NOW and don't want to have to badger your server with a trillion questions about ingredients.