Nut Butter squash ravioli - Beverly Organic Garden Cafe - Beverly, MA

Boston’s metro area is home to a number of great vegan restaurants. Although the city is more known for its’ abundance of fantastic seafood and Italian restaurants, you can still find a few pockets of excellent vegan options within the city and surrounding area. This list will look at the expanded metro area, which includes both the Providence and Worcester areas. Take a look at a few of my favorite vegan restaurants near Boston. These specialty restaurants vary in terms of cuisine, from an all raw menu to a specialty dairy-free ice cream shop! Be sure to share your favorite spots around the city.

Beverly Organic Garden Cafe

Beverly Organic Garden Cafe - Beverly, MA

This interesting cafe on Boston’s North Shore was my first experience dining at an all raw vegan restaurant. Here, you will find plenty of unique dishes, including a spectacular Butternut Squash Beet Ravioli with a creamy cashew based cheese sauce. The taste and texture were incredibly close to a creamy dairy based pasta sauce. Pricey, but definitely worth it! I was definitely impressed.

Nut Butter squash ravioli - Beverly Organic Garden Cafe - Beverly, MA

Other specialties on the menu include: raw deep dish pizza, flax n’ corn tortillas, and a raw portobello mushroom based burger. You will also find a variety of veggie based wraps, salads, live bagels, and rice bowls on the Garden Cafe’s menu.

Raw pizza at Beverly Organic Garden Cafe in Beverly, MA

Appetizers include: kale chips, chips and guacamole, crackers with live almond cheese, and avocado/pico de gallo quesadillas. The crackers/veggies with live almond cheese sounded a bit strange to me, but surprisingly taste pretty good.

Live almond cheese with flax crackers - Beverly Organic Garden Cafe - Beverly, MA

No dairy, eggs, or gluten are used in any of the menu items, so rest assured that even those with multiple allergies/food intolerances can safety choose what they like from the menu. Most ingredients are also organic, a big bonus for any restaurant.

I had a great experience dining t Beverly’s Organic Garden Cafe; I would definitely return for a second visit.

Beverly is located about 30 minutes north of Boston. Organic Garden Cafe is located at 294 Cabot Rd in Beverly, Massachusetts.

More info on Organic Garden Cafe

FoMu

FoMu non-dairy ice cream in Allston, MA

FoMu, a specialty coconut based dairy shop, has 4 locations in the Boston area. I can only vouch for the Allston location, but I was impressed with the ice cream, layout, and service. I never knew dairy-free ice cream could be so delicious! The texture and taste, so close to traditional ice cream! I honestly could not tell the difference!

Delicious dairy free ice cream at FoMu - Allston, MA

I have tried rice based alternatives in the past and the flavor just did not work. Coconut, on the other hand, provides an excellent base.

FoMu offers a selection of 15 or so fantastic flavors, many of which are also gluten-free. Eating dairy-free doesn’t mean sacrificing your favorite flavors like cookie dough, mint, or even Girl Scout cookies!

FoMu is a unique treat for everyone, not just those following a dairy-free diet. Both traditional ice cream fanatics and those eating dairy-free alike will appreciate the flavor and texture of FoMu’s delicious coconut based treats.

Allston is located about 10 minutes from Boston. FoMu is located at 481 Cambridge Street in Allston, Massachusetts.

Update: The Allston location has closed. Jamaica Plains, the South End, Fenway, and various pop ups can be enjoyed.

Visit the FoMu website for available flavors.

Root

Root in Allston, Massachusetts

Update: Root unfortunately closed.

Root, a casual cafe located in Boston’s Allston neighborhood, is the perfect stop for a healthy, light lunch. Here you will find a variety of healthy sandwiches, wraps, salads, appetizers, and juiced drinks. Everything on the menu is conveniently marked according to allergens contained in the dish. This makes it easy to plan your meal without constantly asking the staff questions.

The sweet potato quesadilla looks like a tempting appetizer; I will have to test it out on my next visit. The Macrobowl was delicious – the perfect, filling lunch. The combination of veggies, quinoa, and chick peas worked really well together. Also, make sure to order a side of the herb flavored fries!

Macrobiotic bowl at Root Allston, Massachusetts

The interior of Root is a bit bland, however, the many different fresh, nutritious options on the menu, make Root worthy of a visit.

I definitely recommend Root to any vegans, vegetarians, or anyone else looking for a healthy meal in the Boston area.

Allston is located about 10 minutes from Boston. Root is located just 2 buildings down from FoMU at 47 Cambridge Street in Allston, Massachusetts.

Wildflour Vegan Bakery

Wildflour Vegan Bakery - Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Wow! What a great find! Wildflour Vegan Bakery, located just a short drive from Providence, serves delicious dairy and egg-free desserts, pastries, and light snacks. Some of the treats are gluten-free as well. The rotating daily selection includes an assortment of breads, muffins, and pastries in the morning hours, and cookies, cakes, and other various treats in the evening hours.

The peanut butter brownies and raw cheesecake are the highlights of this Rhode Island specialty bakery. I especially recommend the cheesecake as it would be pretty rough to duplicate at home. It’s also one of the few items that is both gluten and soy-free on the menu (most gluten-free items use a soy flour base).

Peanut butter brownie - Wildflour Vegan Bakery - Pawtucket, RI
Raw cheesecake at Wildflour Vegan Bakery - Pawtucket, RI

Wildflour offers a full coffee bar, fresh squeezed juice drinks, and smoothies to compliment your snacks. In addition, a selection of pre-made lunch items, such as raw lasagna are available.

Wildflour is a great choice, not only for those following a vegan diet, but anyone else looking for delicious homemade treats!

Pawtucket is located about 10 minutes from Providence. Wildflour is located at 727 East Avenue in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Check out the current Wildflour menu offerings

 V Organic Cafe

V Organic Cafe - Upton, Massachusetts

Update: V Organic is unfortunately closed.

V Organic Cafe, located in Worcester county, offers great tasting vegetarian and vegan fare in a cozy, comfortable setting. What sets V Organic Cafe apart from other vegan restaurants I have tried, is the friendly service, tranquil rural location, and the tea-room style design.

Many vegetarian and vegan restaurants suffer tremendously in the design department. V Organic Cafe allows you to enjoy the same delicious meals, only in a more attractive setting.

Dining room of V Organic Cafe in Upton, MA

V Organic Cafe offers a variety of breakfast and lunch options, including: eggs, quiche, salads, soups, wraps, and quesadillas. Many gluten and dairy free substitutions are available, including Daiya cheese and gluten-free wraps.

Coffee and Upton Teas (a local loose leaf tea company) are also served. In addition, you can order a smoothie and specialty dessert. Smoothies use a non-dairy base and all sweets are vegan (although only some are gluten-free). On our visit, cupcakes and coconut and lemon macaroons were offered.

I recommend the Judy Chicago for lunch. This delicious sweet potato/black bean quesadilla is worth the visit alone. Soups vary on a daily basis. The lentil soup offered on my visit was excellent.

Judy Chicago at V Organic Cafe in Upton, MA

I would definitely return for another visit. The fantastic service combined with great affordable food and a lovely setting is hard to come by in the vegetarian/vegan world.

V Organic Cafe is located at 62 Main Street in Upton, Massachusetts.

 NU Cafe

NU Cafe in Worcester, Massachusetts

Although technically not a vegetarian restaurant, NU Cafe in Worcester, offers many choices for vegans, vegetarians, and those following a gluten free diet. Many of the ingredients are organic and all the coffee is fair trade and organic.

I tend to prefer to make my coffee at home because it is both cheaper and organic, however, every once in a while it is nice to enjoy a cup out, and NU Cafe enables me to enjoy a cup without worrying about drinking non-organic coffee.

Coffee at NU Cafe in Worcester, Massachusetts

Vegan lunch options include: Quinoa bowls, salads, sandwiches, smoothies, and fresh squeezed juiced drinks. Most items are easily customizable to be vegan by omitting the cheese. In addition, vegetarian options, both for breakfast and lunch are plentiful. Breakfast includes various pastries and egg dishes, including burrito bowls. My veggie wrap, served with a side of tortilla chips and a pickle, was great!

Veggie wrap at NU Cafe in Worcester, Massachusetts

The setting is comfortable with options for dining at a table or relaxing on one of the cozy couches. It’s a great place to get some work done without the hurried atmosphere of a typical coffee chain.

NU Cafe is located at 355 Chandler Street in Worcester,  Massachusetts.

Check out the full NU Cafe menu

Life Alive

Life Alive in Salem, Massachusetts

Life Alive, an organic cafe with 8 Massachusetts locations, offers fresh, organic plant-based dishes that everyone will enjoy, even non-vegetarians. The Salem location is the perfect choice after a day walking around town exploring and shopping. The convenient location on Essex Street makes it easily accessible.

On the menu, you will find a variety of tempting options including: veggie bowls, wraps, salads, and soups. In addition, you will have your choice amongst 20 different flavors of loose leaf tea, coffee, and dozens of smoothie and juice drinks. Life Alive also serves the fantastic FoMu ice cream mentioned above.

On my visit, I ordered the fantastic “The Seductress” wrap. This tortilla featured a combination of veggies like broccoli, beets, and shredded carrots with Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acids, Flax Oil, and nutritional yeast. The serving looks small, however, the veggies really fill you up. A great tasting wrap. I can’t wait to try out more!

Veggie wrap at Life Alive in Salem, Massachusetts

Life Alive is located at 281 Essex Street in Salem, Massachusetts.

Check out the full Life Alive menu