The Best of Ithaca’s Vegan/Vegetarian Restaurants

By Mikayla Stock

Earth Day is upon us, but focusing on the health of our planet is undoubtedly a year-round affair. Food choices are an excellent avenue for change-making on an individual level, and research shows that vegan and vegetarian diets have a smaller carbon footprint than those that are animal-based. In the spirit of preserving our home and its livelihood, here’s a list of six of my favorite Ithaca restaurants serving up vegan and vegetarian options for Earth Day and beyond.

Angelhearts Diner

Located on the outskirts of the Commons, Angelhearts Diner is a 100% vegan restaurant in a retro setting. If you’re in the mood for enjoying diner classics and saving the planet, this is the place to be.

Moosewood

Down in the Commons, Moosewood is a cozy, world-renowned restaurant known for its exclusively vegetarian/vegan dishes and cookbooks. Some may say Moosewood is responsible for making vegetarian cooking cool. Check out Crème’s review here.

Thompson and Bleecker

Thompson and Bleecker is a classic Commons restaurant known for its Neapolitan pizza and homemade pastas. They offer a vegan cheese to substitute on any pizza, and their pomodorino is one of many great vegetarian options.

Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine

Hawi is a popular spot in the Commons serving authentic Ethiopian dishes. They offer an entirely vegan platter with seven different veggies and unlimited injera (a slightly sour Ethiopian pancake-like flatbread) on the side.

Bickering Twins

Located in the Commons, Bickering Twins offers fantastic Mexican and Latin American food and bevs. Their potato poblano tacos are one of many delicious vegetarian options. All of their sides along with some of their tacos are vegan, plus they have a winter squash enchilada that can be made with vegan cheese.

HaKaCha

HaKaCha is a staple Ithaca restaurant serving Japanese-Thai-Italian fusion dishes in a warm atmosphere. They offer an array of vegetarian options ranging from salads to ramen to pasta.