Atlantic City – Vegetarian Guide
Atlantic City is located right beside the ocean, making it a great destination for seafood lovers. Visitors can also enjoy upscale eateries, casino buffets, and celebrity chef restaurants.
Among all these options, you may be looking for some meat-free fare. Luckily, there are plenty of places to try, and we’ve created a guide to some of the best.
Los Amigos
Meat-free eaters and fans of Mexican cuisine alike will enjoy a meal at Los Amigos. This restaurant, which opened in 1976, is the perfect fusion between Mexican and vegan dishes.
At Los Amigos, they specifically craft meat- and dairy-free dishes with vegans in mind. They have an entire menu section dedicated to vegan specials. There are classic vegetarian dishes like vegetable fajitas, as well as unique creations like a roasted sweet potato burrito, soy chorizo flautas, and stuffed poblano chiles.
One of the best parts of Los Amigos, in addition to their fantastic food, is their happy hour. Customers love their affordable drinks and award-winning margaritas made with 100% blue agave tequila. Los Amigos has been serving the Atlantic City area for decades, making it a local establishment worth visiting.
Buddakan
Buddakan is a high-end restaurant that’s perfect for a special dinner out on the town. The dining area is dimly lit with red, Asian-influenced decor and a glowing golden Buddha statue that serves as a centerpiece.
In addition to a romantic setting, there’s a delicious menu filled with vegetarian options. Start off with edamame ravioli or mushroom potstickers, then move on to spiced tofu and cashews or vegetable fried rice. Other options include Chinese eggplant in garlic sauce, curried cauliflower, and honey-soy Brussels sprouts.
Enjoying a wide range of Asian cuisine in an upscale restaurant is a great way to treat yourself in Atlantic City. Any diner is sure to have a memorable meal at Buddakan.
Greens and Grains
Probably the most popular vegetarian restaurant in Atlantic City, Greens and Grains is a successful chain with locations throughout the greater South Jersey area. They’re a casual establishment that’s perfect for a quick lunch before heading out to the beach or boardwalk. Greens and Grains’ menu is able to satisfy customers of varying dietary restrictions and provide healthy options to all.
Vegetarians dining at Greens and Grains have the entire menu to choose from. To start the day, try the breakfast tofu scramble bowl with romaine, veggie chili, and avocado. For lunch, grab a Buffalo-ranch pita sandwich along with a cold-pressed juice.
Enlightened Café
Enlightened Café goes above and beyond what you’d expect from a typical cafe. For example, they have a garden out back where they grow their ingredients.
The garden serves as the foundation for their fantastic menu filled with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. These options include apple pancakes, a quinoa-mushroom burger with kale and avocado, and a Buddha bowl with vermicelli noodles and vegetables. Wash your meal down with a cold-pressed juice or smoothie, and you have yourself a wholesome meal.
But that’s just the start of what makes Enlightened Café so memorable! This spot is more than just an eatery; it’s a healing place where individuals come together to support one another.
Enlightened Café is owned by the Hansen Foundation, which is a recovery center for individuals and families impacted by substance abuse. So in addition to serving healthy food, this cafe holds family support groups, meditation classes, and community yoga. As you can see, Enlightened Café’s approach to health covers more than just food.
Athenian Garden
Authentic Greek cuisine awaits you at Athenian Garden. This family-owned restaurant prepares traditional Greek food that tastes homemade. It’s also a BYOB; an added bonus!
Some of their vegetarian dishes include the baked Kasseri cheese flambéed with cognac as an appetizer. Try the delicious spanakotiropita, which consists of spinach, feta cheese, leeks, and dill wrapped and baked in filo dough.
It wouldn’t be a Greek restaurant without a Greek salad, so try Athenian Garden’s Salad Supreme. This dish is filled with romaine, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, green peppers, feta, olives, grilled eggplant, beets, and grape leaf. This hearty salad would even satisfy a meat-eater!
Vegan 15
After deciding to go vegan himself, Vegan 15’s chef Ben wanted to bring healthy cuisine to a wider community. Vegan 15 educates customers about the health benefits of a diet free from animal products, such as a healthier digestive system and clearer skin.
Vegan 15 also makes it easy to try out this lifestyle. Sometimes, vegan food is quite expensive. Vegan 15 addresses this issue by making their entire menu less than $15 per dish. Their plant-based food highlights culinary styles from around the world, providing plenty of exciting options.
These options include the Buffalo chicken bites appetizer and entrees like sesame chicken, Thai green curry, tofu saag with basmati rice, and a Tuscan pesto pizza. As you can see, there are options that represent classic dishes from all over. This eatery is one of the main options for vegan fare in Atlantic City, so if you’re looking for a quality meal that’s animal-free, head down to Vegan 15.
The Continental
The Continental is a restaurant that anyone will enjoy, vegetarians and traditional diners alike. This eatery is on the top floor of Caesars and features a playful atmosphere and a fantastic view of the beach.
The Continental’s vibe harkens back to the Golden Age of Las Vegas, when celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin were in their partying prime. They accomplish this with retro decorations and accents that transport you to a trendy 1960s restaurant.
But unlike the 1960s, there are vegetarians out there who want to enjoy a meat-free meal. Luckily, The Continental has options for these diners, unlike menus of the past. Dishes include poblano enchiladas, crispy Brussels sprouts, wasabi mashed potatoes with scallions, and a black quinoa tabbouleh salad with spinach, feta, onions, and olives.
Enjoy a fantastic cocktail alongside your meal, such as the Champagne-O-Rama with raspberry vodka and sparkling wine, and you have yourself a fantastic dining experience to remember.