The vegetarian diet is becoming more and more popular today, mainly because of the health and environmental benefit that come with it. However, there are some Tampa restaurants that haven’t gotten the memo yet, and the number of vegetarian options available at these establishments are not exactly vegetarian friendly.
If you’re looking to eat out, and your dining companions opted for a non-vegetarian restaurant, don’t despair! Here is a list of different kinds of restaurants that have vegetarian options that you can eat that aren’t the house salad.
Chinese
One of the great things about Asian cuisine, other than the fact that it’s delicious, is that there is a wide variety of vegetarian options available.
If you find yourself dining at a Chinese restaurant, there are a number of options available to you. Vegetable filled spring rolls, dumplings, tofu dishes, and vegetarian noodle dishes are all great vegetarian options at Chinese restaurants.
Japanese
Japanese restaurants’ dishes are fairly close in food options in terms of vegetarian dishes. However, you have to be careful to ask them to omit some of the toppings and sides that come with the dishes.
If you’re not following a pescatarian diet, you’ll have to request that they remove things like fish sauce and bonito flakes from your dish. But you’re still free to order vegetarian sushi rolls, edamame side dishes, tofu based dishes, and even a vegetarian okonomiyaki.
Italian
Surprisingly enough, there are plenty of vegetarian options available at Italian Tampa restaurants. From starters like breadsticks and bruschetta, to starters like vegetable topped pizzas and pasta with no meat, there are plenty of vegetarian-friendly options. However, if you’re on a vegan diet, you’re going to have to look for dishes that are tomato based, as opposed to egg and cheese based.
French
French cuisine has plenty of vegetarian options like a vegetable terrine, or ratatouille. However, as a vegan, you may find it a bit difficult as French cuisine tends to call for plenty of butter and cream in their dishes. Like Italian cuisine, it would be advisable to go with tomato based dishes.
Indian
Like Chinese and Japanese Tampa restaurants, Indian restaurants are not lacking when it comes to vegetarian dishes. Dal, samosas, vegetable biryanis, and paneers, Indian cuisine is one of those cuisines that ah be mastered the art of delicious vegetarian food, and you won’t be pressed for options.
Mexican
You may be thinking of tacos and burritos, but Mexican dishes have a surprising number of vegetarian dishes. Chips with salsa and guacamole, meatless burritos, and fajitas, there are plenty of ways that you can substitute meat for beans in Mexican Tampa restaurants.