Restaurant News & Reviews

Cheap Eats: Spots with healthy vegetarian and vegan fare

Despina's Cafe in North Raleigh features recipes from the mind of owner Despo Georgiou, who grew up in Cyprus. The restaurant has several vegetarian options.
Despina's Cafe in North Raleigh features recipes from the mind of owner Despo Georgiou, who grew up in Cyprus. The restaurant has several vegetarian options. mhankerson@newsobserver.com

A monthly roundup of ethnic eats, counter service chow and other tasty bargains. This month, we get the year off to a healthy start at restaurants offering a tempting selection of vegetarian and vegan fare.

B. Good

201-100 Park at North Hills St., Raleigh

919-916-5410

bgood.com

Try: Kale and quinoa bowls (I like the spicy avocado and lime); sweet potato fries; açai berry smoothie.

Black Cat Café

4209-136 Lassiter Mill Road, Raleigh

919-788-8240

blackcatcaferaleigh.com

Try: Portobello burger; baked eggplant sandwich; Thai curry “chicken-less” salad.

Despina’s Cafe

8369 Creedmoor Road, Raleigh

919-848-5007

despinascafe.com

Try: Spanakopita; orzo pasta with feta, Kalamata olives and artichokes; almond cookies.

Falafel 54

2105-AA NC Hwy. 54, Durham

919-237-1635

falafel54.com

Try: Falafel wrap; or spring for the vegetarian buffet for an all-you-can-eat sampling.

Fresh Levant Bistro

8450-106 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh

984-200-3999

freshlevant.com

Try: Shakshuka (eggs braised in a spicy tomato sauce); goat cheese and fig flatbread; grilled halloumi cheese sandwich.

Hungry Leaf

2608-132 Erwin Road, Durham

919-321-8001

hungryleaf.com

Try: Quinoa Mexicana with spicy ancho ranch dressing (available as a salad or wrap).

Peacock

2250 Gathering Park Circle, Cary

919-234-1387

peacockrtp.com

Try: Paneer masala dosa; lemon rice; any of nearly a dozen vegetarian curries, from malai kofta to okra fry.

The Remedy Diner

137 E. Hargett St., Raleigh

919-835-3553

theremedydiner.com

Try: Tempeh Tantrum (marinated tempeh, vegan “bacon,” avocado, lettuce and homemade pesto mayo on sourdough).

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Cheap Eats: Spots with healthy vegetarian and vegan fare."

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