Going plant-based for 2022? Here are 6 meals to try at Charlotte restaurants.
READ MORE
How to eat healthy at Charlotte restaurants in 2022
If you’re trying a new diet and don’t know how to order when you go out to eat, check out our guide:
Expand All
Want to try the Mediterranean diet in 2022? Here are 6 meals to eat at Charlotte restaurants
Going keto for 2022? Here are 6 meals to eat at Charlotte restaurants.
Eating low fat foods in 2022? Here are 6 meals to try at Charlotte restaurants.
6 meals to eat at Charlotte restaurants if you’re a vegetarian
Going plant-based for 2022? Here are 6 meals to try at Charlotte restaurants.
So, your New Year’s resolution is to eat less meat, or maybe go meatless in 2022? You’re not alone. Many people across the world — including those in Charlotte — are choosing to ditch all animal food products and follow a vegan diet. But going vegan doesn’t mean giving up your favorite savory dishes for all-vegetable meals.
Meat alternatives are everywhere — and they go beyond tofu. Seitan, a protein-packed food made from gluten, has been used as a vegan meat alternative for centuries in China and Japan. Plant-based alternatives include jackfruit, a tropical tree fruit grown in Asia, Africa and South America. It has fiber and protein and some say tastes like pulled pork when cooked.
Restaurants in the Charlotte area use these ingredients every day to cater to plant-based diets. Whether you are a lifelong vegan or you are switching to the diet for the new year, here are six dishes to try in Charlotte:
Alchemy
Location: 2517 Distribution St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
Cuisine: Plant-based dining with a neighboring art display space, Gallery C3
Dish to try: Lion’s Mane Pot Pie, made up of vegetables including broccolini, corn, peppers, potatoes and the titular lion’s mane mushroom, which has a meaty taste when cooked, in a house-made pie crust.
.JPG "Lion_s Mane Pot Pie (Vegan).JPG")
Fern, Flavors from the Garden
Location: 1419 East Blvd. Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Cuisine: Plant-based Southern
Dish to try: Buddha Bowl (shown above), made with a daily marinated vegetable, carrots, red cabbage, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, fried oyster mushrooms, togarashi rice, scallions, gojuchang aioli, ponzu dashi and black sesame seeds.
Loving Hut Charlotte
Location: 3024 E Independence Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28205
Neighborhood: Coliseum Drive
Cuisine: Plant-based American
Dish to try: Miss the taste of creamy pasta? Try this vegan version of classic alfredo penne, made with cashew alfredo sauce, capers, garlic, crushed red peppers, spinach, choice of vegan chicken or chicken shrimp and topped with vegan Parmesan cheese and basil.
Read more about the takeout-only spot from CharlotteFive’s Philip Freeman.
Maharani Indian Cuisine
Location: 901 S Kings Dr, Charlotte, NC 28204
Neighborhood: Myers Park
Cuisine: Indian
Dish to try: Chana masala, which is chickpeas cooked in a blend of North Indian spices.
Romeo’s Vegan Burgers
Location: 5518 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: Starmount
Cuisine: Vegan burgers
Dish to try: Veggie burgers provide the perfect opportunity to get your burger fix. Try the Where Art Thou Romeo burger, a vegan take on a classic, served with lettuce, tomatoes, grilled onions, cheese and house pickles. Or, make it a double.
Sanctuary Bistro
Location: 6414 Rea Road Suite C2, Charlotte, NC 28277
Neighborhood: Piper Glen
Cuisine: French
Dish to try: Sweet potato gnocchi, gnocchi and spinach topped with a cashew, mushroom and thyme sauce with crispy tofu and chili oil drizzle.
Want more? Check out our complete guide to Charlotte’s vegan restaurants.
This story was originally published January 25, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
