It used to be pretty hard to find a decent vegetarian meal at restaurants, but thanks to its growing popularity, it’s getting easier and easier. Almost all restaurants offer at least one vegetarian entrée nowadays, but some are definitely better than others. With such amazing produce available to us here in San Luis Obispo, us vegetarians have a plethora of delicious options so here are some of the best vegetarian meals you can get right here in SLO.
1. Big Sky Café
Big Sky Café is one of the best vegetarian restaurants on the planet. They have so many options, their menu changes occasionally to match which produce is in season then, and they also buy most of their food locally. The absolute best way to go is to order the Baba Ghanouj to start. It’s an amazing roasted eggplant dip served with pita bread. Then for your main, order the Fresh Market Vegetable Plate; they use seasonal veggies found at local farms and the famous farmer’s market downtown.
2. Taste
You also can’t go wrong eating at Taste. It’s a little off the beaten path for most, but is so worth it. I always go for the Artisan Cheese Plate to start with. It’s the best cheese you could imagine served with fresh fruit spreads and honey. It’s to die for. Then for your main, it’s traditional to get a slider with a gourmet mac and cheese or a salad. The El Porto Slider is delicious; served on a toasted bun, it is a grilled portabella mushroom with roasted peppers and provolone cheese. Honestly, any of the mac and cheeses is a good choice, unless you’re one of those people that would prefer a salad…
3. Margie’s Diner
This is THE breakfast place to go if you are in the mood for some huge portions. My personal favorite order is the Avocado/Mushroom/Cheese omelet. I don’t know what they do to those mushrooms to make them so delicious, but I have a hunch that it involves a lot of butter. Of course, no matter what time of a day it is, a trip to Margie’s isn’t complete without a milkshake.
4. The Neighborhood
Hands down the best acai bowls in the world. Named after places in SLO, their menu consists of acai bowls, smoothies and juices, including their absolute best, the High Street Bowl. It is a blend of acai berries, peanut butter, hemp milk and bananas, topped with hemp granola, honey, almonds, cocoa nibs and bananas. Mind blowingly good!
5. Oasis
This is another lesser known restaurant in SLO, but definitely worth mentioning. Their menu is traditional Moroccan food that will have you salivating just looking at the options. The best is the Couscous Royal, a dish of veggies, garbanzo beans and raisins served over couscous. Finish it all off with a Pear Bourgeois, a dessert made of caramelized pears with a Kahlua sauce and ice cream.
Really, you can’t go wrong ordering anything at these places, but make sure to try these mouthwatering dishes next time you stop by.