Vegetarians, vegans, and plant-based peeps, you’ve all been there. You go to a restaurant with your crew, excited to try it out, only to find out the few things you can eat are salad…salad…and another salad.
Though going meatless can be hard, there has never been a better time to dive in. With options popping up left and right that aren’t strictly vegetarian, and more restaurants adapting to all kinds of dietary needs, here is a list of restaurants and cafes that will not only accommodate you but leave you feeling oh-so-satisfied.
These are specifically non-vegetarian and vegan restaurants – just spots with great options for those specific needs!
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
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1. Amy’s Place
3234 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 / More Info
Amy’s Place is one of the go-to vegan restaurants in the city. Located in University Heights, Amy’s offers a menu full of healthy breakfast options, sandwiches, soups and salads. Amy’s is a Lebanese and American restaurant so they have classic options as well as unique dishes such made with falafel and tofu.
2. The Healthy Scratch
- 75 Main St #4, Buffalo, NY 14203 / More Info
- Buffalo General: 100 High Street Buffalo, NY 14203 / More Info
- Roswell Park: Carlton Street at Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14263 / More Info
This centrally located cafe is the perfect spot for healthy grab-and-go, but if you’re specifically looking for vegan or vegetarian eats, their menus is stocked with options. Pretty much the entire menu is either already vegetarian or can easily be made vegetarian including several toast options, bowls, smoothies, sandwiches, etc. When it comes to vegan choices, Healthy Scratch has a variety of fresh juices, smoothies, and make-your-own bowl options that fit the bill. Plus you can make any of their salads vegan. Did we mention they have a food truck too?
3. Betty’s
370 Virginia St, Buffalo, NY 14201 / More Info
Betty’s is another go-to dinner spot for vegetarians, but they also offer dishes with meat too, which makes this the perfect restaurant to bring your meat eating friend or family member to, if they can’t sacrifice meat for a meal.
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4. Taste of Siam
810 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 / More Info
The Taste of Siam is as beautiful as it is delicious. Located on Elmwood, this authentic Thai restaurant has floor to ceiling windows with an adorable view of the heart of the Elmwood Village. Oh yeah, and the food, the Pad Thai is incredible. You can choose your meat, and vegetarians can opt for tofu or veggies in their noodles, along with other Thai dishes.
Vegetarian pro tip: order a Thai iced tea or iced coffee, you won’t regret it.
5. Dosa Place
745 E Market St Buffalo, NY 14301 / More Info
Dosa Place serves up authentic Indian cuisine prepared fresh daily. Their menu is mostly vegetarian and vegan with dishes that are bursting with flavor. They serve brunch, lunch and dinner and are open every day.
6. Ashker’s Juice Bar and Cafe
414 Amherst St. Buffalo, NY, 14207 / More Info
Ashker’s is a go-to spot for vegetarians. While they don’t offer quite as many vegan options, Ashker’s is perfect for vegetarians since their menu is full of delicious veggie options. Plus they have a full smoothie and juice bar!
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7. India Gate
India Gate describes themselves as “exotic healthy Indian cuisine” and while they have meat options, they offer many vegan/vegetarian alternatives and dishes that wouldn’t have meat in them anyway. (The mango chutney and veggie curry sound amazing).
8. CoreLife Eatery
- 5175 Transit Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221 / More Info
- 3670, McKinley Pkwy, Hamburg, NY 14219 / More Info
- 1595 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14226
CoreLife recently opened on Transit Road in Clarence, and since opening has gained quite a bit of popularity with healthy eaters on the go. They’re a great lunch option, with reasonable prices, a large dining area, and an assembly line full of workers who make your salad or grain bowl in record speed. Though not entirely vegetarian, they offer lots of options and have a lot of protein-packed healthy food.
9. Squeeze Juicery
Squeeze Juicery, home of the smoothie bowl. With two locations, one on Elmwood and one in Williamsville, Squeeze is a great choice for anyone looking for something super healthy on the go. They have an extensive menu of juices, smoothies, and salads but their bowls steal the show (try the pink cadillac).
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10. Rachel’s Mediterranean
Multiple Locations / More Info
Rachel’s offers a great alternative to fast food, they have fast, healthy and vegetarian bowls and wraps. They’re a little Chipotle-like in style, but they’re local and have many locations around WNY.
11. Green Eats Kitchen and Juice Bar
6445 W Quaker St, Orchard Park, NY 14127 / More Info
Not only does Green Eats have many tasty smoothies on their menu, but they offer meal plan packages, something that has been catching on lately. If you have a busy life, trying to make your own healthy food from scratch can be hard, so pick up one of their meal plan packages and have food for up to three days. They also have juice cleanses, for when you need to get back on track.
12. Elm Street Bakery
72 Elm St, East Aurora, NY 14052 / More Info
Elm Street’s menu will make your mouth water instantly, everything sounds so good. From interesting variations of toast to wood-fired pizzas, Elm Street offers more upscale fare for decent prices and have many meatless choices.
13. Poppyseed
3670 McKinley Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14219 / More Info
Poppyseed serves up healthy but innovative entrees that you’ll love. This restaurant has interesting flavor combinations, some with meat, but quite a few vegetarian options and they have vegetarian/vegan specials. Pictured above: the One Eyed Jack, handmade jalapeno lentil burgers paired with a sweet pineapple pico, guacamole and quinoa salad.
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14. Tavern at Windsor Park
8444 Transit Rd Williamsville, NY 14221 / More Info
Tavern at Windsor Park has a wide selection of English fare but, they have some Vegetarian options too! They have a veggie burger, a vegetarian taco salad, house-made humus wrap, and more.
15. The Grapevine Restaurant
2545 Niagara Falls Blvd Amherst, NY 14228 / More Info
The Grapevine is catering to all different dietary needs with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Some of their options include eggplant parmesan, fig & pear flatbread, and bbq beyond burger.
16. Wurlitzer Pizza
1401 Nash Rd North Tonawanda, NY 14120 / More Info
Wurlitzer Pizza offers a variety of vegan pizzas as well as vegan appetizers, sandwiches, subs, and even vegan wings!
Did we miss one? Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated.
