Vegan or Vegetarian in Watertown? Fear Not!

Nearby Prana Cafe (Newton Corner) was a pretty well known vegan/vegetarian dining spot for many in the Boston area. Then it closed. Then it opened again. Then it closed. Then it was supposed to open as The Organic Table...which then didn't open.

As a vegetarian who has gone vegan in the past, I never want to be a bother when friends or family are picking a place to eat. Most places have some sort of salad, so no big deal!

However, I understand that it is nice to venture out to restaurants and cafes that offer more than a salad to vegetarians and vegans. When it comes to Watertown, I've been pleasantly surprised!

The obvious choice is Red Lentil for vegan or vegetarian dishes, but there are many more options in the same neighborhood of Coolidge Square. The Deluxe Town Diner has a vegetarian section of the menu, and many other vegan or vegetarian options throughout the menu. Uncommon Grounds, one of my favorite brunch spots, has a slew of choices. Some of my favorites? The Tofu or Vegetarian Breakfast Burrito (you can also order without cheese) and the Broccoli and Cheese Scramble. For lunch, there are a ton of vegetarian and vegan burrito options, and I also highly recommend the Tofu Buffalo Garden Salad Wrap.

Falafel, anyone? Falafel is always a top choice for most vegetarians I know and, luckily, Watertown is brimming with places that offer it! The Deluxe Town Diner has a great falafel, but I was also happy to find that lots of the smaller breakfast and lunch places I like to visit serve it! After stopping at Crown Cafe one morning with my friend, she decided to order the falafel instead of typical brunch food. I've ordered it from there again because, well, it's great.

Speaking of traditional Middle Eastern foods, I knew of Watertown's Persian food offerings before I moved to town because of the Iranian part of my family.

Molana, tucked away on Spring Street on the square, has always been a family go-to. The Mirza Gasemi, a dish made with eggplant, egg, and tomato, is a top choice. Or, if you opt to go vegan, the Vegetable Plate is one of my favorites. In addition, all of the appetizers are vegetarian or vegan.

Around the corner you can also catch Roksana's, a Persian takeout spot on Mt. Auburn Street. The menu is pretty vast. Even so, when I asked the individual at the counter about vegetarian options, he offered to make anything on the menu vegetarian. So good!

Asian food is also usually a vegan/vegetarian favorite, and there's even a new option for Watertown residents right in the square with the new Little Thai Cafe. Both Wonder Cafe and Tiki In offer vegetarian and vegan options, even vegetarian egg rolls, which I have found to be a challenge to come across.

And dessert? Red Lentil has some of the best vegan cake I have ever stuffed my face with. Tabrizi Bakery on the square also has some pretty darn delicious vegan cookies!

What about you, fellow vegan and vegetarian residents? Have any tips? Anything I should check out? I'm all ears and, after writing about all of this food, I'm pretty hungry. Yikes.