St. Louis Vegan Food + Restaurants: What's Best?

• VegaDeli Cafe` in Chesterfield, MO  100% Vegan and Healthy Foods

• I Think these are both great! Kathie Belfield. A St. Louis VEGAN

• I visited my girlfriend in St. Louis over Valentine's Day weekend. She wanted to surprise me with a Vegan restaurant but couldn't find any. She saw some blogs about Boogaloo being able to cater to Vegan customers and called the chef to confirm. We informed our waiter, Josh (also the manager) that we spoke with Mike (the chef) about a Vegan meal. He walked back to talk with the chef and informed us that he would "scrape something together". As a Vegan, sometimes you have to settle for "scrape something together"; at least that was what I was expecting. When Josh presented the Vegan Ratatouille made with sweet potatoes and coconut milk, I instantly knew this was going to be delicious... but I'm afraid "delicious" just doesn't do it justice! It was one of the best meals I have ever tasted, so good in fact, that it boggles my mind why anyone would choose to eat animals when such a mouth-watering alternative exists. Mike (the chef) also prepared for me a Vegan Eggplant dish which also exceeded expectations. The Ratatouille was so amazing, I asked for another helping to take home with me. Vegans of St. Louis, give Boogaloo a try. You may want to call ahead of time to let them know you are coming because these dishes aren't on the menu, but they went out of their way to accommodate me. Five out of Five stars!

• The Vegadeli in Chesterfield has a menu that changes each week so you get lots of variety and they are all vegan and Kosher. I go there at least twice per week and have attended their cooking classes. I've seen all ages of children and adults. They've customized shakes for me after a work-out at the gym -- the service is great.

• I've enjoyed every meal at Vegadeli. I enjoy have an entire Vegan menu to choose from. I especially like their mango vegan burger, the raw mixed berry pie, and this mushroom pasta dish, but I can't remember the name. To me, there's just something weird about other places that serve slaughtered meat and at the same time also offer a "vegan option". But to each his own; so whatever. I don't know of any other All-Vegan places in the area besides Vegadeli. I've eaten there 3 or 4 times and it has been very crowded. So I'm not alone. I think that pretty much speaks for itself. Kyle Ladue, MO

• Everest Cafe also has several vegan options. And I just found out about this VegGuide; here's the link to the St. Louis section: http://www.vegguide.org/region/134

• after living in chicago for a decade i got used to much available vegan food, and by far the best meal i've had here in STL was at Niche. told them when we reserved that we wanted a vegan tasting menu, and gerard called that day to confirm our tastes and made an amazing meal. smokabe's and shangri-la are hit and miss for me, gokul was good but is a hike. haven't tried terrene yet - frankly i get annoyed that the standard vegan dish on their menu is curried tofu, not particularly inspired in my book. i would go for niche if you want to spend the money, otherwise rely on south grand, or rasoi, or royale or other excellent suggestions in these her comments - places where they at least have a few really good dishes that are also vegan.

• BEWARE OF MOKABEES. If you order a "vegan" burger from Mokabees please know that the buns have whey in them, on the actual patty is vegan. However, if you switch it out for sour dough it will make the burger vegan. Most of their employees will not tell you this. ALSO: Mokabees "vegan" biscuits and gravy work the same way. The sausage in the gravy is Vegan but the rest of the dish is not. Tricky Bastards!!

• Sweet Arts (http://sweetartstl.com/) in Tower Grove neighborhood is pretty amazing. I belive they have about 8 different dishes and at least half of them are vegan. They also have Vegan treats on the weekends.

• Another vote for Gokul for Indian vegan. Absolutely yummy, and always a fun experience.

• I like the place in Chesterfield, but it's very macrobiotic-inspired, so be warned. OR is the same way. However, I like that type of stuff. Shangri La is such a travesty. You may as well just make morningstar bacon at home. I also don't trust that they actually ensure that anything they label vegan is actually vegan. Definitely Local Harvest! They always have vegan entrees, and they're consistently good eating. And as someone said above, if you choose Niche, definitely call ahead. Bleeding Deacon also has vegan options, including dessert.

• What everyone said above, but also Sunday brunch at Mokabe's is not to be missed. The thai places on Grand all vegan it up (lemongrass). Boogaloo in Maplewood has vegan options (sloppy joe) Gokul & Raj's all veg indian are both supreme! You can get vegan at most mexican places, Nacho Mamma's is a fav. Terrene will always rock the house for you. Vin de Sept has a killer Vegan Quinoa. Crazy Bowls and Wraps is vegan survival food. I did the best I could while living in STL and always contacted chefs and let them know I was coming and would appreciate anything they cared to whip up for me and that always opened doors in STL. STL might not be a very vegan friendly city, but it is a very friendly city that'll do vegan for you if you ask nicely.

• the place in chesterfield is gross!!! Terrene used to do a vegan stew. Cardwells has a very good vegan veggie burger. also, if your friend ever goes to la, check out vegan-la.com!

• Ooh! Gokul. Fabulous Indian, totally vegetarian, mostly vegan. Despite my love of lamb rogan josh (and my marriage to a certain bacon-loving food critic), I rate it as one of my favorites. Also second the Royale -- Steve's been making tons of stuff with Match meats (a local STL company)! I used to love the deli in Golden Grocers, but that's been gone for a while. Local Harvest has some nice vegan specialties, including a totally ace vegan chili.

• I love the burgers at Shangri-La. OR cafe has recently opened in the CWE and I enjoyed their vegan burger. Thai Cafe in the loop has many vegan options, I think (don't know about the fish sauce sneaking in there though). A local vegan blogger always has incredible suggestions for STL restaurants: http://showmevegan.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20Louis

• I heart Patrice of the Shangri La. Cook, counselor, confidante.

• The chef at Cardwells in Frontenac Mall prepares some amazing vegan entrees. The Vegadeli in Chesterfield is worth the trip and it's right off the highway.

• Bobo Noodle House for lunch and Niche for dinner. The pad Thai at Bobo is vegan (tofu instead of egg), as are several salads and sides. And call ahead and Niche will do your friend so right.

• The Royale has a ridiculously delicious new bbq "pork" sandwich that's totally vegan. Just had it the other night. May have to start eating at least one a week. Also OR Smoothie on Clayton Rd. next to the Richmond Heights Schnucks is awesome and very vegan friendly- I've heard rumors that a CWE location is coming, but not sure if it's open yet.

• Duff's has yummy vegan options, that is where I always take my vegans :)

• California pizza kitchen has a buncha stuff us vegans can eat! And mokabees coffee house at grand and arsenal is totally vegan friendly. PLUS they have an amazing Sunday brunch till 1 that's only 12$!

• Terrene should be able to accommodate your needs. They get it (as far as cooking vegan food) and their non-vegan selections are awesome.

TotalComments: 22