All-Vegetarian Chicago Restaurants

Alice and Friends - Tons of tasty mock-meat dishes, including almond un-chicken and Korean-style barbecued soy beef. Also offers a number of coffee and tea drinks, vegan ice cream and cakes. Eclectic atmosphere with an Asian influence. 5812 N Broadway St (Bryn Mawr stop of the Red Line)

Amitabul - This Korean restaurant is completely vegan, and pretty healthy, too - they use very little added oil in their cooking. The menu offers a number of very spicy dishes, which they offer to tone down for you, including vegan “egg rolls”, kim chee, and dishes containing mushrooms and tempeh. 6207 N Milwaukee Ave (Jefferson Park stop of the Blue Line)

Chicago Diner - This is the place where rock stars eat when they come to Chicago. Conveniently located in the heart of Belmont/North Halsted, the Chicago Diner has vegan versions of all of your diner favorites, including shepards pie, macaroni and cheese, meatloaf and milkshakes. 3411 N Halsted St (Belmont stop of the Red Line)

Karyn’s - Everything in this restaurant is uncooked. As a part of the raw foods movement, Karyn’s artfully slices and dehydrates fresh fruits and vegetables in order to create culinary masterpieces. Inventive cuisine in a new-age atmoshere. 1901 N Halsted St (Red Line to Belmont)

Soul Vegetarian - The food is superb, the atmosphere is familial AND it’s affordable on a student budget. Where else can you sink your teeth into delicious, greasy vegan soul food? Some of the specialties include protein tidbits (their version of chicken nuggets), veggie gyros, and vegan cakes. 203 E. 75th St. (#55 bus transfer to #3 bus)

Chicago Groceries

Whole Foods - A natural foods grocery store with lots of organic products, including tons of vegetarian food. Whole Foods has very reasonable prices on soymilk, mock meats and bulk items. Visit http://www.wholefoods.com for locations.

Veggie-Friendly Chicago Restaurants

Earwax- Right in the heart of Wicker Park (an area that is definitely worth exploring), Earwax offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan sandwiches and has three kinds of vegan cake for dessert. 1561 N Milwaukee Ave (Damen stop of the Blue Line)

Green Zebra - An upscale mostly vegetarian restaurant with a few meat options. Tapas-style dining with a Zen-like atmosphere. The ginger cake with banana soy ice cream is superb. 1460 W Chicago Ave (Ashland stop of the Green Line)

The Handlebar - A bicycle-themed bar that serves a variety of vegan sandwiches, soups and raspberry chocolate torte for dessert. 2311 W North Ave (Damen stop of the Blue Line)

Pick Me Up Cafe - This trendy Belmont restaurant has many vegetarian options on its menu and a few completely vegan items, including french toast, tofu-cheese pizza, milkshakes and cake. It is also open 24 hours on weekends. 3408 N Clark St (Belmont stop of the Red Line)

Ethnic Restaurants with Vegetarian Options

Ethiopian - Ethiopian restaurants serve a variety of vegetable dishes on top of a large vegan “pancake,” which is eaten family style. No utensils! Places that are worth checking out: Mama Desda’s, Ethio Cafe, Ethiopian Diamond.

Indian - Indian restaurants, as a whole, are incredibly vegetarian friendly. Vegetable samosas, chana masala, nan are just a few of the veg-friendly items on their menus. Places that are worth checking out: Arya Bhavan and Mysore Woodlands are both completely vegetarian.