Hard Rock Stadium – Vegetarian Guide

It’s not easy being green! Vegetarian visitors to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, may have a hard time finding something to eat. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, since the most common stadium snacks are typically hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders.

So if you’re a fan of the Miami Dolphins, but not a fan of meat, check out these vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the greater Miami Gardens area.

Awash Ethiopian Restaurant

People have been enjoying Ethiopian cuisine for thousands of years, since the earliest humans occupied the fertile African country. Fouad and Eka Wessel decided to celebrate this ancient fare by opening Awash Ethiopian Restaurant in 2017.

The restaurant is decorated with traditional African art and baskets, and features a decorative column in the center of the dining room that is part of traditional country homes in Ethiopia. Dining at Awash feels more like visiting a home than being at a restaurant.

Awash’s menu has a designated vegetarian section with over half a dozen options. Start with the lentil sambusa appetizer, which consists of three pastry crusts filled with lentils, green pepper, and onion. The Awash vegetarian combo contains a little bit of everything, including split peas, lentils, cabbage, and collard greens. The enguday tibs dish features cremini mushrooms sautéed with onions, garlic, and chilli, and served with a side salad. Along with your meal, enjoy imported Ethiopian beer and wine. Awash even makes its own honey wine, which is a must-try.

Bask in the welcoming ambiance of this authentic African restaurant, located an eight-minute drive from Hard Rock Stadium.

Just 20 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium is the city of Hollywood. This Floridian destination has been popular for decades, and has many vegetarian dining options to choose from. Below are five restaurants with great meat-free options.

 

GoBistro

GoBistro is a popular restaurant serving inventive takes on Asian cuisine. It combines a Thai, Chinese, and Brazilian approach to Japanese food. Their small menu offers sushi, ramen, yakitori, and more. GoBistro’s ramen is by far their most popular dish, which is why a local news site referred to the restaurant as “noodle nirvana.” GoBistro’s dining room may be small, but their popularity has made them a huge Hollywood attraction.

Vegetarians have plenty to choose from. GoBistro’s most popular appetizer is the Avocado Fries, which are slices of avocado coated in panko crumbs and fried until crispy. Next, order a delicious fried tofu bun filled with cucumbers, pickled onions, and scallions. Try a vegetable yakitori skewer before diving into shoyu vegetable soup, or the vegan miso ramen. If you’re a fan of sushi, enjoy a cucumber, asparagus, or avocado roll.

Take a 20-minute ride down to GoBistro, and you won’t leave hungry!

 

 

Alaturca

In Hollywood’s famous historic neighborhood, approximately 20 minutes away from Hard Rock Stadium, is the Turkish restaurant Alaturca. This eatery has been recommended by countless visitors for its satisfying food, attentive service, and comfortable atmosphere. Dinner at Alaturca is refined and perfect for special occasions, and yet still welcoming and down-to-earth.

Vegetarians can choose from various meat-free wraps, salads, flatbreads, and other traditional dishes. For an appetizer, try the Mezze Mix, a variety of small dishes for all to enjoy. Another hearty meal is the Falafel Medley, a traditional Middle Eastern dish perfect for meat-free eaters. The falafel is fried to a beautiful golden brown and served with grape leaves, baba ganoush, and hummus. Fans of this delicious falafel can add it as a side to any dish they order.

 

J28 Sandwich Bar

A 20-minute drive from Hard Rock Stadium is J28 Sandwich Bar. Locals rave about this highly rated restaurant. J28 is just far enough from the beach that it separates itself from the more overpriced, touristy restaurants. Yelp recognized J28 Sandwich Bar as a top place to eat in Broward, and one of the “Top 100 Places to Eat for 2019.”

Don’t let the name fool you; there is way more than just sandwiches to enjoy. Meatless options include the Spinach and Kale Empanadas as an appetizer, the Mushroom Saltado Wok Stir Fry as a sandwich or over rice, and the Quinoa Mushroom Saltado Wok Stir Fry. Customers can add corn, beans, rice, fried yucca, or avocado to any meal. J28 Sandwich Bar uses all-natural ingredients, which translates into the quality of their dishes.

 

Red Thai & Sushi

Visiting Red Thai & Sushi is an immersive experience. When you step into the restaurant, warm red walls, golden accents, and shining sculptures surround you. Glowing lights of red, purple, and yellow illuminate the dimly lit restaurant and create a cozy ambiance. Strings of beads hang from the ceiling and bamboo plants reach all around the dining room, providing a feeling of privacy without being too closed off.

Once you’ve settled into the eccentric dining area, your delicious options unfold in front of you. Red Thai & Sushi features a designated vegetarian menu with an impressive 24 options. For a meat-free appetizer, order the spring rolls or yasai tempura. Noodle lovers can dive into drunken noodles with tofu, or vegetable pad Thai, and many have recommended the stir-fried ginger tofu.

This meat-free paradise is 25 minutes from Hard Rock Stadium.

 

Istanbul on the Beach

While Istanbul on the Beach is a 30-minute drive from Hard Rock Stadium, it’s worth it for the beautiful beach views alone. This oceanside boardwalk restaurant keeps its decor low-key and lets its unobstructed views of the bright blue waves steal the show.

This small eatery’s Turkish cuisine will hit the spot after a long day on the beach. While this is a touristy area, Istanbul Restaurant keeps its prices fair for quality food. This is part of the reason why the restaurant has been a Hollywood favorite since 1991.

Vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will find Turkish meals to enjoy. The baba ganoush and tabouli are perfect to start with. You can also share the feta cheese platter or spinach pie if you’re dining with a group. As a main dish, get a classic falafel sandwich in pita. Lastly, you can’t leave without ordering baklava for dessert.

Even the mayor of the city has enjoyed Istanbul on the Beach’s food, so come try it for yourself!