Living a vegan lifestyle is not just a fad flying through American culture like the yo-yo diet or, on the other end of the spectrum, the cronut craze. Contrary to the stigma, the menus at Miami's vegan restaurants are not limited; they're bursting with possibilities to find and savor uplifting flavors. Here, our favorites in honor of World Vegan Month.
Supercharged Quinoa Burger at Mi Vida Cafe
No cell phones are allowed at Mi Vida Cafe, where the staff purposefully runs out of ingredients to maintain freshness and minimize waste. The peaceful atmosphere is enhanced by the energizing (and filling) Supercharged Quinoa Burger. It's a house-made patty of the popular superfood, which is loaded with protein, fiber, and minerals, and it sits atop a bed of local greens with cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh hummus, sprouts, slices of avocado, and an arugula salad mix. 7244 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; 305-759-6020
Curry Favor at Temple Whole Food Plant Based Kitchen
At Temple Kitchen, healthy living devotees clamor for the unprocessed whole food served in an approachable way. Reach for the hearty Curry Favor, a hot dish with house-made green curry, red chili, fresh mushrooms, eggplant, edamame, and coconut milk served over organic wild rice. 5831 Sunset Dr., South Miami, 305-397-8732
Mental Lentil at Choices Organic Cafe
In 2011, Choices Cafe started pushing Miami veganism into the spotlight with an array of plant-based options that don't compromise taste. The Mental Lentil wrap is a showstopper at either location. Choose your wrap—organic whole grain, organic brown rice, or organic collard leaf—and dive into the mash-up of lentil patty, black beans, quinoa, pico de gallo, plantains, sautéed onions, cheese, avocado, and the creamiest tahini sauce. (Tip: You can make your own pancakes at the UES location every weekend from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) 711 N.W. 27th Ave., Miami, 786-953-6053; 646 N.E. 79th St., Miami; 786-803-8352
Raw Lasagna at Basil Park
The maxim at Basil Park in Sunny Isles is "Eat to Live," but many guests find themselves living for the vegan lasagna. It's a cold yet comforting combo of zucchini, summer squash, and portobello mushrooms layered with pine nut "ricotta" and sun-dried tomatoes. Aged balsamic vinegar is drizzled on top with local micro basil from Harpke Family Farm. 17608 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles, 305-705-0004
Sweet Surrender at JugoFresh
As a bonus for Thanksgiving, JugoFresh created four signature vegan pies available for pre-order through Monday, November 24. Each raw, gluten-free pie will be ready for pickup on November 26 at the South Pointe and Coral Gables locations. Choose from the key lime pie with coconut flakes and chlorella (green algae) dusting, the chickpea cookie dough pie with raspberry coulis and sliced fruit, the coconut carrot pie with pineapple and coconut icing, and, naturally, the pumpkin pie with superberry pumpkin seed crunch. 40 S. Pointe Dr., Miami Beach, 786-472-2552; 1430 S. Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MI VIDA; CHOICES; GESI SCHILLING (JUGOFRESH)