Long Island isn’t lacking in its wide array of restaurants of all varieties.

For those who are vegan, vegetarian, or just looking for a quality meat-free meal, it can be a little more difficult to find the right spot. Check out the restaurants below for your next plant-based meal.

1.The Purple Elephant: The Purple Elephant is making waves on Long Island with its vegan cuisine, fresh and organic ingredients, and refreshing cocktails. The cozy and casual atmosphere of the restaurant is only amplified by its waterside location on the Northport Harbor. The view paired with its variety of vegan and vegetarian menu options makes for a great dining experience.

The Purple Elephant prioritizes the freshness of its ingredients over all else. This is reflected in its menus, which “are updated daily to showcase the freshest ingredients, as well as the dynamic flares of globally-inspired cuisine,” The Purple Elephant website states.

Some of its menu highlights include its vegan Crispy "Beef" Empanadas with Avocado Mojo appetizer and Country Fried Seitan. Its menus vary from lunch to dinner, so be sure to check out each menu on its website before visiting. 

You can visit The Purple Elephant at 81B Fort Salonga Road West in Northport from 11:30 a.m. to  9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Online orders open at 11 a.m. The Purple Elephant recommends securing a table by making a reservation by calling them at (631) 651-5002.

Check out our full article on The Purple Elephant here.

2. Tula Kitchen: This Bay Shore vegetarian restaurant got its start in 2006 and has since become a local favorite of vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Its predominantly vegetarian and vegan menu provides plenty of options for those looking for meatless and plant-based options.

The restaurant features eclectic lunch, dinner, dessert and drink menus for diners to enjoy. Some menu items include its Veggie Moussaka, BBQ Seitan, Veggie Bolognese, and a variety of grain bowls and salads.

The eatery also provides a great ambiance for lunch with friends, a family dinner, and more. Its “west” side features a dark, cozy ambiance with a wooden top bar and booth seating, while its “east” side provides a brighter experience with its white walls and chandeliers.

For more information like hours, full menus, and event booking, visit the Tula Kitchen website.

Check out our full article on Tula Kitchen here.

3. Plant Wise Eatery: Plant Wise Vegan Eatery offers its vegan menu at its Dix Hills location at 15 E. Deer Park Rd. It’s been operating for just over five years, and boasts an extensive menu of exclusively vegan options, with items like wraps, grain bowls, salads, and nori rolls. Just as extensive is its drink menu, which features a long list of juices, wellness shots, lemonades, and specialty smoothies.

The cafe offers weekly specials like Mashup Mondays, Nacho Tuesdays, and Mac Wednesdays to get customers excited about enjoying nutritious, plant-based food. Plant Wise Vegan Eatery is open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Saturday and Sunday. To view a full menu and learn more, visit its website.

Check out our full article on Plant Wise here.

4. 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe: 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe got its start when owner and chef Jay Astafa created a vegan menu for his father’s restaurant, 3 Brothers Pizza Cafe. Since then, the vegan menu he created has gained notoriety, and 70% of the restaurant’s full menu is vegan. In 2015, 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe opened separately as an all vegan restaurant.

Vegan Chef Jay Astafa's menu features appetizers, pastas, entrees and wood fired pizzas. Specific menu items include Oyster Mushroom Calamari, Cauliflower Steak, BBQ Jackfruit Panini, Seitan Bacon Ranch Pizza, and Carbonara.

Additionally, 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe uniquely features its own in-house vegan cheese program in which they make all of its vegan cheeses like fresh cashew mozzarella, cashew milk cheddar, cashew parmesan, macadamia feta, cashew tofu ricotta and blue cheese.

For full menus, hours and more information, visit the 3 Brothers Vegan Cafe website.

5. Toast Coffeehouse: Since 2002, Toast Coffeehouse has offered fresh breakfast and lunch and items, coffee, and innovative menu options. All three of its locations in Bay Shore, Patchogue and Port Jefferson have recently implemented an extensive vegan and vegetarian menu on top of its already extensive full menu. 

Vegan menu items include Vegan Scramble, Coconut Multigrain French Toast, an assortment of omelettes, Vienna Chicken, Portobello Panini, and much more

For full menus, hours, locations and more, visit the Toast Coffeehouse website.

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