When you think of Portland, Maine, you may immediately conjure images of lobster rolls and clam chowder. And yes, Portland is famous for its seafood, but beyond that, the city boasts a vibrant culinary scene with plenty of diverse options, including some truly exceptional vegan and vegetarian restaurants.
One of my best friends lives in Portland, and I love any excuse to drive the short two hours from Boston to come visit and, of course, eat my way through this awesome city. In this post I’ll take you through some of my favorite vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Portland.
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Why Trust My Recommendations?
This is a great question. I frequently look at blog posts recommending restaurants and think, “Yes, but how do I know this is actually a good recommendation?”
So hello! If we haven’t met, I’m Priyanka, a passionate foodie with super high standards. From hole in the wall restaurants to exquisite fine dining tasting menus – the one thing that always matters to me is just really freaking good food. I’m so unbelievably tired of stumbling upon blog posts that just list any restaurant with a vegetarian option on their menu – tasty or not.
I’ve endured enough bland, uninspired meals to know that my fellow vegetarians deserve better. When I recommend a restaurant, it’s because the vegetarian food is actually delicious
So, let’s get into some of my favorite vegetarian-friendly Portland restaurants! A lot of these restaurants also offer vegan options.
After all one of the best things to do in Portland is to eat your way through the awesome culinary scene!
Sur Lie
I’m going to start off with my favorite place in all of Portland because why save the best for last? If you only have one day in Portland, I highly recommend dinner at this spot.
This woman-owned, tapas-style gem was a James Beard semi-finalist in 2023, and it truly lives up to the hype.
The experience at Sur Lie is immersive, from the warm ambiance and attentive service to the bold, inventive dishes.
Vegetarian or not, you’ll let out a little moan as you try your food, and afterward, you’ll try to resist licking the plate clean to maintain some decorum. I don’t judge. You lick that plate.
A standout dish for us was the parsnip cake paired with carrot curry ice cream—a dessert that boldly marries spice with sweet, something a lot of restaurants aren’t willing to do, especially in desserts.
If something doesn’t appear vegetarian at first glance, just ask if they can make it vegetarian!
Be sure to also ask for a wine pairing recommendation to get something that compliments your meal nicely.
Because the ingredients are local, the menu changes, so if everything I have listed below is unavailable, don’t worry! I’m positive you’ll love your experience regardless.
What we ordered and loved:
- The Chef’s Board: We got a vegetarian version, and oh my god, this was so delicious – especially the truffle honey. Its rich, earthy depth perfectly tempers the honey’s sweetness, enhancing the other flavors on the board.
- Wild Arugula Salad: The vibrant oranges gave this dish a burst of freshness. The addition of crispy za’atar chickpeas and sumac-infused feta provided an excellent textural and flavor contrast.
- Smoked Butternut Squash: This dish is the definition of autumn. Pumpkin oat granola complements it, adding a delightful crunch that contrasts with the soft squash.
- Corn Fritters: Just order this and thank me later. No other words are needed.
- Pasta: Omitting the fennel sausage, we loved this pasta, which featured locally foraged mushrooms, a sublime sage sauce with a hint of caraway, and crispy garlic.
- Cheesecake and Parsnip Cake: Do yourself a favor and order both. You won’t regret it.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
Specializing in Asian-inspired vegetarian cuisine, Green Elephant in downtown Portland commits to local sourcing, ensuring that each dish not only tastes fresh but also supports local growers. There are so many delicious options on their meat-free menu, and I love that the whole restaurant is vegetarian, so you really can’t go wrong ordering!
Flatbread Company
Nothing beats the smell of wood-fired pizza, especially when you’re overlooking the water. Flatbread Company is a great pizza place that offers an array of vegetarian and even vegan pizza (yes, there’s vegan cheese). My go-to is the Southwest flatbread, but if you’re indecisive, the ½ and ½ lets you explore two varieties.
If you want to pretend to also be healthy (like I like to do sometimes when I’m eating pizza), I highly recommend ordering a salad as well. You can customize the toppings; the portion is generous and perfect to share.
Via Vecchia
This small plates, Italian-inspired eatery is located in the heart of Old Port. It would be a perfect spot for a date night, as the ambiance is just as great as the food. Their menu also changes seasonally, so it’s a restaurant worth going back to time and time again. Their cocktails and wines are just as noteworthy. Make sure to book ahead—it’s a popular spot.
Roma Portland
We happened upon this restaurant by accident. We may or may not have waited too long to look for a dinner reservation and the only spot we could find was Roma Portland. It was a happy surprise with some delicious traditional Italian food. I’m super picky about eggplant parmesan and I thoroughly enjoyed the one here!
Honeycomb Cafe
A bit of a drive out to Scarborough, but well worth it as it’s an incredibly vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant with plenty of options, including breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and both dairy and vegan cream cheese. The garden sprout bagel with vegan sausage and local sprouts is my usual pick, complemented perfectly by a honeycomb latte, which features a unique honey orange ginger syrup.
Taco Trio
Over in South Portland, Taco Trio is the spot if you’re just as obsessed with burritos as I am. My go-to is the champiñones burrito, which features mushrooms and jalapeños in addition to the normal toppings on your standard burrito. There’s a salsa bar with plenty of options to choose from as well. The burritos are hefty. Consider yourself warned: a food coma is likely.
The Friendly Toast
A New England favorite, The Friendly Toast is a brunch haven with an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu. As a vegetarian who doesn’t like eggs, brunch can be a hard meal for me. I love how many options there are at Friendly Toast. While it’s not necessarily the best brunch food I’ve ever had – having the various options is a standout for me.
LB Kitchen
Another brunch must-visit, LB Kitchen offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options and delicious coffee. Their vegan brunch sandwich, featuring innovative carrot bacon, is a creative and tasty alternative to traditional meat substitutes.
Union Restaurant
Located in The Press Hotel, Union Restaurant may not have tons of vegetarian options, but what they offer is crafted with care and high-quality ingredients. I wouldn’t have tried this spot because there aren’t many options on the menu, but the first time we were in Portland, there was a massive snowstorm, so it didn’t make sense to venture out of the Press Hotel to look for other restaurants. We were pleasantly surprised by how delicious Union Restaurant was!
Final Thoughts
Portland, Maine, may be a seafood haven, but its vegetarian scene is equally deserving of acclaim. Each restaurant I’ve recommended stands out not just for its vegetarian-friendly menu but for its commitment to quality, flavor, and memorable dining experiences. Whether you’re a local or planning a visit, definitely give these spots a try!
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