Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Itasca

"A Chicago stalwart that even non-vegetarians know well, Chicago Diner has been “meat free since ’83” as they tout in their slogan and has become a time-tested favorite for delicious vegetarian and vegan cuisine. The expansive menu has something for everyone, from Portobello truffle melts oozing with vegan mozzarella to classic or quinoa chili served with jalapeño corn fritters, diced tomato and onion, sour cream, cheese, and avocado. Meat-free gyros, Cuban sandwiches, and country-fried steaks are also on the menu, as well as the diner's signature sandwich known as the Reuben, which features corned beef seitan, cheese, sauerkraut, peppers, grilled onions, and a vegan thousand island dressing on freshly baked rye bread."

"The Chicago Diner, Logan Square uses local, seasonal ingredients and produce. All cleaning products are environment-friendly and their takeout containers are bio-degradable. They also utilize only FSC and Rainforest Alliance certified office paper."

"Do you fancy inviting your beloved one to have a special dinner in a fancy restaurant?. Haven’t found any vegan-friendly restaurants yet?. Try a vegan restaurant in Chicago, The Chicago Diner out."

"The trendy go-to spot for made-from-scratch vegetarian and vegan comfort food, fair-trade coffee, and freshly baked organic treats, Handlebar is packed on most days with local Wicker Park hipsters enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu features vegetarian delights like pepita scrambled eggs, veggie chili mac and cheese, meat-free buffalo “chicken” wings, and the signature fried avocado tacos stuffed with cabbage slaw, refried beans, queso fresco, fresh tomatoes, and house-made salsa verde. Named for the multiple bike racks out back, the laid-back, friendly restaurant sees eco-minded folks chatting over tasty vegan fare and sampling from the extensive list of different drafts."

"All your favorite bar/comfort foods and snacks with a twist that Mike Ditka didn’t see coming: it’s all vegetarian!. The Fried Pickles and the Handlesmash Burger and Fries (two house-made black bean patties with cheddar or vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, pickles, and special sauce on a brioche bun) are legendary, but don’t sleep on the Wilted Kale Salad with avocado and quinoa, or the “Sloppy Joe” made with carne de soya and tangy BBQ sauce on a pretzel bun. Open Monday – Friday, 10 am – 10 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9 am – 10 pm."

"Most dishes at Handlebar can be vegan upon request|© Handlebar. Veg lovers flock to this Wicker Park hipster haven for comfort food with a vegetarian twist. Most guests come for the fried avocado tacos, jammed with cabbage slaw, tomatoes, refried beans and house-made ranch, but there’s a bevy of other vegetarian dishes, too, such as a pepita scramble flanked by sweet potatoes, veggie chili mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy slathered in seitan sausage gravy."

"Urban Vegan Chicago is a vegetarian and vegan eatery that serves authentic Asian and Thai fare with an international twist. The menu features vegetarian meat alternatives that are healthy and tasty, prepared with the highest quality meat-free and organic ingredients and products, and created from original recipes from every corner of the vegan lifestyle. Signature and favorite dishes on the menu include cashew nut stir-fry, spicy eggplant with sweet basil, Pad Thai rice stick noodles with bean sprouts, red and green Thai curry, lentil loaf packed with a variety of vegetables and spices, and spicy noodles."

"If you’re in the mood for Thai or Asian cuisine in Chicago, then Urban Vegan is a place you must go. I have dined here with both vegetarian and meat-eating friends, and they have all loved this restaurant. Prior to going vegan, I used to love orange chicken."

"They would like to grab this opportunity to greet you to your home for the great combination of Thai dishes. They give only the freshest and finest ingredients. at Urban Vegan, you will experience the liveliness and excitement of their exhibition kitchen."

"Steaming bowls of noodles have been a fixture of chef Bill Kim’s menus ever since he opened his first restaurant, and diners have always been eager to slurp his latest creations. Originally launched as a delivery-only concept, Bill Kim Ramen Bar specializes in broths that draw on Korean, Vietnamese and Mexican flavors, garnished with a creative array of toppings. Whether you’re looking for a conventional bowl or ramen or something a bit more adventurous, Kim has something you can enjoy by the spoonful."

"Our kids weren’t sure about trying the Asian inspired cuisine. They aren’t the most adventurous eaters. But by the time we were done they all LOVED it and wanted to come back the next day."

"Plant Based Junkie takes your favorite burgers and other fast food and adds delicious plants to the mix. The "Chicken" sandwich comes in mild or spicy and their vegan cupcakes are the talk of the town!"

"Spiaggia is an excellent Michelin-rated restaurant located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Spiaggia serves modern Italian cuisine from an exceptionally elegant location. Spiaggia isn’t only regarded for food."

"m.henry is a well-known and trendy neighborhood gathering place on Clark Street for casual breakfast, lunch, and brunch. Hailed as one of the top spots for weekday breakfast and weekend brunch, the cozy café serves mainstay dishes such as “Fannie’s killer fried egg sandwich,” which is served with eggs, bacon, gorgonzola cheese, sliced plum tomatoes, and fresh thyme. Other comfort foods on the menu include homemade black bean cakes served with tortillas stacked with chorizo, eggs or scrambled tofu and adobo sauce, and vegan tofu scrambles with rapini, sweet onions, and tempeh strips."

"m.henry is an anchor for the Edgewater and Andersonville brunch bunch, but visitors to nearby Loyola University also descend on this comfy spot to dig in. There’s plenty of American comfort food to go around: filled-to-bursting omelets (sometimes with a twist: dandelion, shallot, and leek anyone?); heaving stacks of hotcakes; and brioche French toast layered with homemade lemon curd and raspberry coulis. The restaurant is committed to organic when possible, and there are lots of options for those on special diets."

"M. Henry's all-day breakfast menu doesn't break from tradition too often. It's very egg-centric with a few quiches and pastries to round it out. But what this restaurant does, it does well."

"John Hackett and his wife, Arami, met in China, moved to Chicago and Arami experimented to duplicate his favorite Chinese street food, roujiamo. The Han Burger was born. The sandwich consists of marinated meat slow cooked in spices and combined with hot peppers, veggies and garnishes on a toasted bun."

"A warm and comforting bowl of pho can make for the perfect lunch. At restaurant-shop hybrid Phodega, owners Nathan Hoops and Anthony Ngo simmer up two exceptional versions — a beefy pho bo teeming with brisket, meatballs, and rib eye, and a lighter pho ga consisting of chicken broth and poached chicken thighs. They’re joined by other remarkable bites like Hainanese chicken rice, fried chicken skins, fiery crab rangoons, and a Viet dip sandwich."

"With a large menu that includes everything from fried rice and lo mein to beef, chicken, pork, and seafood dishes, Chi Cafe is an approachable spot for Chinese cuisine. The prices are wallet-friendly and the happy hour specials offered in the late afternoon are an even better deal. The vast amount of options can be overwhelming, but the sizzling beef tenderloin is always a good choice."

"Archer Ave., Suite A (between Cermak Road and 21st Street.), the Chinese spot is the most popular cheap Chinese restaurant in Chicago, boasting four stars out of 1,137 reviews on Yelp. The menu features items like egg rolls and noodle soup. The site has lots more information on Chi Cafe."

"Chi Cafe not only has beautiful ambiance, but they have a menu full of fresh soups, fried rice, special snacks, and so much more. Stop in for a light lunch, snack, or super satisfying dinner. I must add that they are open until 4 am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends."

"This museum and memorial tells the story of Khmer Rouge and the Killing Field through multimedia displays, archives, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts. Guided tours are available so you can learn more about what happened during the Cambodian Civil War. Hours are subject to change, so they advise that you call prior to visiting (773-878-7090)."

"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."

"Navy Pier and its surrounding attractions are full of fun activities for kids and adults alike (see above for some more details on all the stuff you can enjoy while there). Take a stroll around the pier, sample some classic boardwalk eats, and take a spin on the iconic Ferris wheel for unbeatable views of the city. Use your Go Chicago Card All-Inclusive Pass to get a 4-Ride pass for Navy Pier attractions, including the ever-popular Centennial Wheel."

"Navy Pier is one of Chicago’s most popular attractions and is certainly not your average pier. Stretching over 3,000-feet into Lake Michigan, Navy Pier is packed full of entertainment, offering 50-acres of shops, restaurants, parks, and attractions. Enjoy a ride on the Centennial Wheel that stands prominently in the middle of Pier Park, and there’s often live music, art exhibitions, and firework displays throughout the summer."

"Take pleasure in the Navy Pier atmosphere without spending money. Pack a lunch for the family to eat on the dock. As you stroll along the pier, people-watch and take pictures of your family in front of a beautiful Lake Michigan landscape."

"Le Macaron found on West Armitage Avenue invites guests to experience the best of French cuisine. The coffee shop’s website describes its macarons as the perfect delicacy, original and elegant, and we think they’re 100% correct. Le Macaron does offer some really fun flavors alongside the more traditional choices, though: including bubblegum, violet cassis, gingerbread, and strawberry key lime."

"Break the cake mold and dream beyond the traditional sheet cake with one-dimension designs. Having served as Executive Pastry Chef at downtown hotels and winning or placing in several design competitions, Chef Peter Rios’ Alliance Bakery is ready to show you that if you can think it, he can bake it. Besides his three-dimensional edible works of art, Chef shows off skills he picked up training in Paris with his European-inspired pastries and desserts."

"Restaurants Bakeries Wicker Park. Alliance is perhaps best known for its elaborate celebration cakes, which are proudly displayed in the windows for passersby to ogle. But this bakery also traffics in coffee drinks and other pastries, like cookies, macarons and tarts, which are available to take away or to bring next door to a seating area."

"Alliance Bakery is a French-inspired bakery served with a modern twist. The chef, Peter Rios, has extensive experience working as a pastry chef at the Fairmont Hotel Chicago and Sofitel Hotel Chicago. He has won numerous awards in cake competitions around the country."

"This sophisticated cake shop in Chicago claims to be the only company in the city using organic butter & eggs. Their cakes are guaranteed to taste as good as they look!. Choose from a variety of flavors, buttercream, and fillings including Belgium Chocolate, White Chocolate Italian Buttercream, or Creme Brulee."