No meat? No problem! Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just looking for plant-based meals, there is a plethora of delicious restaurants that offer unique local options for meat-free meals. This list offers everything from Vietnamese and Indian fare, to a cafe "learning center" hybrid and even a vegan burger joint. Here's our roundup of our favorite vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Fairfax County. Happy eating!
Flower Child
1656 Boro Pl, McLean
Boasting "healthy food that takes you to a happy place," Flower Child is a cheery and colorful restaurant in The Boro Tysons. With a customizable menu of bowls, wraps, salads and a variety of mix-and-match veggies, grains, fruits and healthy proteins, this eatery is a place where you can come and fill your soul (and belly) with goodness. Try the "Mother Earth" bowl with ancient grains, sweet potato, portobello mushroom, avocado, cucumber, broccoli pesto, red pepper miso vinaigrette, hemp seed, and more.
Sunflower Restaurant
2531 Chain Bridge Rd, Vienna
If you're looking for "delightful dishes for your soul," look no further! Sunflower Restaurant in Vienna is a 100% vegetarian restaurant with a great selection of vegan dishes. The health-based restaurant serves up meatless renditions of Japanese, Chinese, and Continental style dishes, such as "General Tso’s Surprise" and "Sweet and Sour Sensation."
Balaji Cafe
298 Sunset Park Dr, Herndon
Life's too short for boring food! Indulge in the savory and smoky spices of authentic Indian cuisine at Balaji Cafe. The locally-owned spot serves vegetarian food from South and North of India, also specializing in popular and favorite Indian street food.
Hot Tip: If you enjoy craft coffee, be sure to walk around the corner and across the street to Weird Brothers Coffee Roasters!
Thanh Van Restaurant
6795 Wilson Blvd Unit 37, Falls Church
One of the Eden Center's best-kept secrets? Thanh Van Restaurant: one of the only vegan Vietnamese restaurants in the Washington Metropolitan Region! This restaurant packs an interesting and inviting menu which specializes in authentic Vietnamese cuisine such as delicious congees, Vietnamese-style soups and noodles, rice dishes, and fresh-made beverages. A “must try” is the customer favorite, Bun Bo Hue (a spicy soup infused with chili, lemongrass, and topped with vegan beef). Enjoy a little taste of homemade Vietnamese cooking - minus the meat.
Hot Tip: The Eden Center is just one of Falls Church's many interesting places to visit. Here's a guide on how to enjoy a day in "The Little City."
GreenFare Organic Cafe
408 Elden St, Herndon
GreenFare Organic Cafe is a Herndon-based community restaurant where a creative twist meets thoughtfully sourced vegan & organic food. On the menu, you'll find unique favorites like Jackfruit BBQ Sandwiches, Organic Wild Mushroom Enchiladas, Spinach and Sweet Potato Lasagna, and other savory dishes. Aside from its curated menu, the restaurant is also a sustainability-focused learning center that offers meal plan programs in concert with medical professionals, environmentalists, and animal welfare advocates.
Hot Tip: For even more eco-friendly businesses to support, in addition to GreenFare, check out these 10+ sites, restaurants, and businesses that truly put sustainability first.
Amma Vegetarian Kitchen
344 Maple Ave E, Vienna
Hailing from South India, Amma Vegetarian Kitchen's dishes are focused on the aroma and flavor of spices and masala. While there are plenty of things to choose from on the menu, the star of the show here is their selection of dosas - a thin crepe made with fermented rice and lentil batter. From Mysor Masala dosas to Tofu dosas, the pancake-like dish is served with chutneys and a bowl of searing-hot sambar (a kind of lentil and vegetable stew).
PLNT Burger
1635 Boro Pl, McLean
With indulgent, chef-crafted, Kosher, plant-based burgers, PLNT Burger serves up delicious Beyond Meat patties topped with all sorts of deliciousness. From their Mushroom "Bacon" BBQ Burger to the twice-stacked DBL Plant Burger, they're serious about celebrating the beauty of life on our planet in the most delicious and fun way possible!
Naked Lunch
8298 Glass Alley, Fairfax
424 Elden St, Herndon
Located in MOM's Organic Market, Naked Lunch serves made-from-scratch vegetarian food, whipped up in-house with all organic ingredients. Yes, even the dressings and sauces are organic! Their bowls are "Build Your Own" style, where you can choose a base, five toppings, and dressings. If you’re not feeling like a bowl, find traditional favorites like their Black Bean Burger, or Classic Cauliflower Tacos. Feeling adventurous? Try out the Jammed Yam which is a sweet potato stuffed with quinoa, beans, pineapple, and more, topped with avocado and lime jalapeno dressing.
Did your favorite vegan or vegetarian restaurant make the list? Let us know in the comments! Regardless of where you decide to visit, we hope that you enjoy an unforgettable dining experience in Fairfax County. For a full list of what's available to eat in our region, be sure to visit our Restaurants page (you can filter to view vegetarian only, as well!).
