Vegan Dining in Philly

By Tom Boutell

But where can a starving vegan or vegetarian get a decent meal amid all this plenty? Well, quite a few places, as it turns out.

Not every vegetarian or vegan restaurant in Philly is mentioned on this page; only places I have actually eaten in myself.

Other restaurants not reviewed here but deserving of mention: Cuba Libre and Cafe Spice, across from one another in the Second Street Old City dining district just south of Market Street, have solid vegan options on their regular menus. Both of these restaurants are especially good choices when with friends who want to dine in Old City. In general, acommodating vegans is something that gourmet chefs have begun to enjoy as a change of pace, rather than fearing it as a mystery! Be sure to let your server know you are vegan and ask whether the dish you are interested in could be made vegan.

Restaurant	Gianna's Grille
Location	507 S. 6th Street, between Lombard and South
Phone	(215) 829-GG4U
Website	www.giannasgrille.com
Price	$ ($$ with dessert)
Specialties	Cheese steaks (real AND vegan), pizza, vegan desserts
Ambiance	Punk rock
Description
Gianna's Grille is famous for four things: real and vegan cheese steaks, vegan desserts, punk musicians, and genuine Philly cheese steak shop attitude. The beauty of Gianna's is best summed up by the design of their menu: a full list of traditional, meat-based cheese steak sandwiches on one side, and a complementary list of amazingly good vegan and vegetarian versions on the other. Be sure to order the vegan sandwiches by name, and specify vegan cheese or no cheese if you are vegan. Sandwiches are in the $6-$7 range, but big enough to feed an army. Gianna's also offers plenty of vegan pizza varieties by the slice. Carnivorous friends of mine can vouch for the quality of the meat offerings, so this is a great destination for a mixed group! For the vegan guest, the Gianna's dessert on the premises is one hundred percent vegan, except for the non-dairy soft serve, which does contain small amounts of casein (milk protein, not irritating to the lactose intolerant). The "cheesecakes" are to die for, and I have. Repeatedly. The walls are decorated with the tour posters of punk rock acts, and they all say the same thing: "to Gianna's, with love. Thanks for the extra pounds!" Closed Mondays. Open noon till 9pm Friday and Saturday nights, and from noon till 8pm other days.
Restaurant	1010 Cherry
Location	1010 Cherry St. (Chinatown)
Phone	(215) 923-3663
Price	$
Specialties	Chinese
Ambiance	Casual Chinese Restaurant
Description
1010 Cherry is the best of Philadelphia's several vegan and vegan-friendly Chinese resturants. Like other Chinese restaurants that offer strictly vegan meals, the offerings at 1010 Cherry are descended from traditional recipes originally developed for Buddhist festivals during which meat was not consumed by the Chinese Emperor. "Meat" products on the menu are entirely made from seitan (wheat gluten) and other vegan sources. I am particularly fond of the "dynasty mock chicken," simmered in a rich, tangy sauce, and "mushroom mushroom," a particularly creative offering. 1010 Cherry is a 100% vegan establishment and is also certified kosher. Prices are very reasonable. The front of 1010 Cherry has recently been renovated, and the dining area is more inviting now as well. The cooks are also experimenting with Thai-inspired sauces. Open seven days and, so far, all the holidays I've tried it!
Restaurant	Govinda's
Location	1505 South Street
Phone	(215) 985-9303
Price	$$
Specialties	Veggie "cheese steaks," weekend Indian buffet, subtle desserts
Ambiance	Conflicted
Description
Just a few steps from South and Broad, Govinda's offers two main things: vegetarian and vegan versions of classic Philly cheese steaks and hoagies... and an Indian buffet, upstairs on weekends. The sandwiches are generally excellent. The buffet is perhaps a little uninspired, but certainly satisfying. The dessert case offers treats of surprising subtlety and interest, like the vegan lime cheesecake. My main complaint: the ambiance or total lack thereof. I still can't figure Govinda's out, and I've been there several times now. From the outside, it looks like an Indian restaurant... but when you go in, it looks like a cheese steak shop. I didn't know the upstairs Indian buffet existed until months after my first visit. Govinda's would benefit from a little more signage. Still, the sandwiches are great once you know they're there, and their vegan desserts appeal to the inner adult as much as the inner child.
Restaurant	Basic Four
Location	Reading Terminal Market, 11th & Arch
Phone	(215) 440-0991
Price	$
Specialties	"Cheese Steak"
Ambiance	See Location!
Description
The Reading Terminal Market is a great place to grab lunch, people-watch, and camp out on the wireless Internet for a couple of hours... or as long as your battery lasts anyway. And vegans get to play too, thanks to the Basic Four Vegetarian Snack Bar. Located near the center of the indoor Market, the Basic Four offers its own vegan and vegetarian "cheese steaks" and hoagies. The quality of these is a bit uneven. I recommend skipping the cold cuts; they are nothing you can't make at home, if you shop at the Whole Foods Market. The chopped chicken salad hoagie is excellent, spicy and tangy and filling. Desserts include sweet potato pie (tasty), sweet potato "cheesecake" (I found this underwhelming), and tasty chocolate chip cookies at a refreshingly reasonable price. Open Mon-Sat 8am-6pm.
Restaurant	Horizons
Location	611 S. 7th St, just south of South
Phone	(215) 923-6117
Price	$$$
Specialties	Ancho Chocolate Tart
Ambiance	Classy (but not too formal)
Description
Horizons is something Philadelphia has never had before: a true gourmet vegan restaurant. In quality and atmosphere Horizons is at least as good as Cafe Flora in Seattle, or The Greens in San Francisco. Soups, starters, entrees and desserts are all stunning, particularly the ancho chocolate torte. The ancho pepper imparts a spice that's a novelty to most American palates. These are dishes to linger over! The downstairs is a bar and lounge, featuring a tasting menu. The upstairs is a full restaurant, also with a small bar. Reservations recommended! However, lone-wolf diners can often steal a seat at the upstairs bar for a full dinner without a reservation. You won't be lonely with food like this. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner. 6pm-10pm Tuesday & Thursday, 6pm-11pm Friday & Saturday. The lounge stays open later. Expect to pay $30+ per person, especially if you order drinks. It's absolutely worth it. No dress code per se, but clean up nice.

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