Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center – Vegetarian Guide

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center’s location on the Potomac River makes it the perfect place for seafood restaurants to thrive. After all, Maryland is well-known for its crabs, so it’s no surprise that seafood dishes are incredibly popular. This includes surf and turf, which is a favorite of steakhouses and seafood restaurants throughout the National Harbor.

But what about those that don’t eat either? It’s a bit of a challenge for vegetarians to find something to eat near Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Luckily, we’ve narrowed down a few restaurants to choose from that feature meat-free options. You won’t be stuck eating pasta with butter from the kids menu after all!

 

Public House

Right across the street from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is the casual and comfortable Public House. This down-to-earth restaurant is the perfect place to have a casual night out after an event at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. In the summertime, the outdoor seating area is perfect for sipping on one of Public House’s cocktails. During their fantastic happy hour, hang out at the large, spacious bar area. You’ll enjoy the open atmosphere that’s perfect for a group of any size.

This high-energy eatery has many drink options as well as vegetarian dishes. As an appetizer, you can order the mezze plate or house nachos to share. For dinner, vegetarians can enjoy the pesto Alfredo pasta or black bean burger with a side of panko onion rings. Don’t forget dessert, because the eye-catching chocolate chip banana cake may be the perfect end to your visit. A visit to Public House will satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

 

Thai Pavilion

Fans of Thai food will love Thai Pavilion, a thematically decorated restaurant with its own vegetarian menu. Guests will immediately notice their entrance, consisting of an ornate silver door with intricate gold accents. The inside of Thai Pavilion creates a comfortable atmosphere with decorations throughout their spacious dining room. Customers have commented on their large portions, flavorful food, and kind staff.

Vegetarians have a designated menu with six meat-free Thai dishes. To start off, try the vegetarian spring rolls or fresh garden rolls. Main courses include the classic pad Thai with tofu or Kee Mao Tofu, which is a dish consisting of tofu sauteed with wide rice noodles, tomatoes, basil leaves, sweet peppers, onions, and chili sauce. Along with your meal you can enjoy a drink from their full-service bar and afterwards a crispy banana with ice cream for dessert.

Thai Pavilion is conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

 

McLoone’s Pier House

With a name like McLoone’s Pier House, you can be assured that this riverfront restaurant has great views of the Potomac. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas give customers beautiful views of the water, Alexandria skyline, and Ferris wheel. Their nautical decor pays homage to the area and their love for the water.

Vegetarian lunch options include fettuccine Alfredo and a Santa Fe black bean burger. For dinner, the options expand to include pasta bucatini with sun dried tomato pesto and the Pier House Salad with apples, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and feta.

Take a quick, seven-minute walk from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center to enjoy a delicious menu, large bar, and unbeatable views of the city skyline.

 

Rosa Mexicano

You may recognize Rosa Mexicano from their 11 locations across the country. This popular chain has a location four minutes from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, providing guests with delicious, upscale Mexican food.

The name “Rosa Mexicano” comes from a bright shade of pink, referred to in English as “Mexican pink.” This shade is similar to fuchsia and can be seen in native Mexican flowers and traditional clothing. In honor of its name, Rosa Mexicano’s decor includes accents of pink throughout the restaurant, such as colorful lights to illuminate the Mexican artwork in the dining room.

Many Mexican restaurants are vegetarian-friendly, and Rosa Mexicano is no different. As an appetizer, try queso fundido or guacamole made right at your table. As an entree, hongos tacos filled with mushrooms, black beans, and roasted peppers are a great choice. Or you could go with the chile poblano relleno, a poblano pepper filled with vegetarian chile, goat cheese, rice, and grilled chayote with green salsa. All of Rosa Mexicano’s sides are meat-free, so add a side of platanos or elotes, Mexican corn on the cob, while you’re at it!

 

Mezeh

Mezeh, a five-minute walk from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, offers vegetarian options as well. Visit this quick, casual lunch spot located right near the Potomac, close to the infamous sculpture The Awakening, which can be seen emerging from the sand nearby.

At Mezeh, your food is completely customizable. First, choose your base: a bowl, flat bread wrap, or pita pocket. Next, choose from an almost endless combination of proteins, sauces, and toppings. Vegetarians can either choose falafel or forego the protein option altogether. Sauce options include tzatziki sauce, Greek feta dressing, tahini sauce, and balsamic vinaigrette.

Lastly, there is an incredible amount of toppings, such as roasted vegetables, couscous, spicy hummus, tabbouleh, diced cucumbers, and roasted corn. Anything is possible when you can pick as many toppings as you’d like. It may be easy to get overwhelmed by all these options, but not to worry! Mezeh has predetermined suggestions too.

Customers have commented on how easy it is for anyone from carnivores to vegans to find something delicious to eat. Mezeh is even sensitive to allergies, and has a clearly marked allergen menu. If your demanding schedule at Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center prevents you from having a sit-down meal, Mezeh is the place to go.

 

To further expand your vegetarian dining options, take a quick trip across the Potomac River to Alexandria, Virginia. This quaint city has many additional restaurants to check out.

 

Virtue Feed & Grain

Just a 13-minute drive from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is the wonderfully rustic Virtue Feed & Grain. This homey restaurant occupies a former feed house from the 1800s. The building’s history inspired Virtue Feed & Grain’s name, as well as their repurposed decor. The creators of the restaurant worked with specialty architects, builders, and designers to create a charming, shabby-chic aura.

No part of the building went to waste during the revamp. For example, after removing bricks to create large, welcoming windows, the construction crew used them to create pillars and half-walls throughout the restaurant. In addition, much of the wood used in the restaurant is reclaimed and antique. The decor is simple, with canvas throughout, and string lights to create a cozy experience.

Once you settle into this warm, inviting dining room, you’ll have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to choose from. For an appetizer, try the blistered shishito peppers. You can then dive into a quinoa salad, pasta puttanesca, or sweet potato tacos. This modern, American tavern also has outdoor seating and live music regularly for you to enjoy with your meal.

 

Chadwick’s Restaurant

Right across the river from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is Chadwick’s Restaurant. This eatery has been a resident of the Old Town neighborhood for decades, successful because of its hospitable atmosphere and comforting food. Their nautical-themed interior contains patriotic banners, exposed brick, a grand staircase, and rowboats hung from the ceiling. Chadwick’s is right next to the water, a huge appeal for restaurant-goers. And luckily, Chadwick’s has plenty of meat-free options.

For starters, you can get the nachos or garlic hummus. Then move on to the winter vegetable pizza, or build your own veggie burger with toppings of your choice. The menu also includes a butternut squash and black bean wrap, and a hearty Greek salad. In addition, Chadwick’s popular brunch serves up cinnamon brioche French toast and brunch tacos with eggs, salsa, cheese, and guacamole.

Enjoy a drink from their vast beer menu while sitting by the water, just a 13-minute drive from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center.

 

Caphe Bahn Mi

Classic Vietnamese food is just a 12-minute drive from Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. Caphe Bahn Mi is a cozy local favorite that is regularly filled with pho lovers from all over. It’s located in the popular Old Town neighborhood, yet its prices are still affordable compared to many eateries in the area.

Caphe Bahn Mi’s menu contains many meat-free options. Appetizers include tamarind rolls with fried tofu, shiitake mushrooms, vegetables, and crispy imperial rolls. As their name suggests, they specialize in bahn mi sandwiches, served on nine-inch baguettes with house garlic mayo spread, pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapenos upon request.

Try the vegan sandwich, filled will vegetarian soy chicken and lemongrass in caramel soy sauce. Entrees include chay vegetarian soy chicken and tofu in lemongrass with soy dressing served over vermicelli pasta, or lemongrass tofu with grilled mushroom over rice.