Rarely will a vegan or vegetarian opt to go to a steakhouse, for obvious reasons. But if you’re a non-meat eater, chances are you’ve had occasions where you have to venture into restaurants that are less than ideal for your dietary restrictions, on account of a friend’s birthday or a partner’s craving.
The word “steakhouse” may not be very comforting to those who abstain from meat and other animal products, but luckily, there are a handful of those that offer veg-eaters more than a sad side salad. We scoped out some steakhouses that have one or more hearty meat-free options on their menus that are far from afterthoughts.
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Charlie Palmer Steak in Washington, D.C. takes pride in serving even the meat-averse.
If you’re in the D.C. area and looking for a steakhouse where you (or your vegetarian/vegan friends) won’t starve, Charlie Palmer has you covered.
“While we are a steakhouse, I refuse to let any guest have to cobble together their meal from odds and ends,” Executive Chef Michael Ellis told INSIDER. Seasonal vegetables are an important part of the kitchen’s rotation, and Ellis always keeps a vegetarian stuffed pasta on the menu – currently, a sweet corn agnolotti.
Although there isn’t currently a vegan entree on the menu, the risotto can be made vegan upon request. Guests are welcomed to request substitutions to fit their dietary needs.
Chandler’s in Boise, Idaho might be the holy grail of vegan-friendly steakhouses.
Boise may not be known as a vegan paradise, but should you end up visiting steakhouses in the Midwest, Chandler’s is an oasis. Forget scraping together raw veggie sides — the restaurant offers a three-course prix fixe meal centered on a vegan “steak” made of mushroom, grains, and root vegetables, served with a red wine and beet jus. Pair it with salad and sorbet, and you’ve got one happy vegan.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Austin offers a contemporary take on classic Italian.
The dinner menu at the Austin location of Perry’s features a fully vegan dish, the spaghetti squash primavera. The squash is topped with zucchini, cauliflower, and asparagus, as well as the Perry family’s classic San Marzano tomato sauce.
The dish is said to be a local favorite, worth consideration from even omnivores who might be interested in lighter fare. No vegan consolation prizes here.
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