Vegan in Washington D.C.

As printed in Herbivore magazine September 2007. Subscribe here.

By Erica Meier

To the average visitor, Washington D.C. may have a reputation of being a city filled with political figureheads, federal monuments, and way too many tourists milling about and snapping family photos in front of the White House. But once you get past the politics and historical landmarks, all you need is Compassion Over Killing’s handy Vegetarian Guide to Washington DC and Surrounding Areas to realize that the nation’s capital is a fully-loaded vegan haven pleasing the palates of compassionate diners from both inside and outside the beltway.

If you’re new to the District of Columbia, we suggest putting down your camera and picking up your fork (or spoon or chopsticks) to sink your teeth into some—or all—of these amazingly memorable vegan eats.

In the District

Asylum

2471 18th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-319-9353
www.asylumdc.com

Attention vegan barflies! You’d never guess it after eyeing the gargoyles, fake-bloodied hatchets, and smoke-breathing dragon on the walls, but Asylum dishes out some of the best veganized pub grub around. Belly up to the bar or grab a booth—you won’t want to miss out on their addictive waffle fries swimming in melted soy cheese. Every bite is finger-licking good—vegan-style.

Not a night owl? Don’t worry, they serve vegan brunch on weekends, too. And there’s lots more on the menu to boast about, but the local lure of Asylum extends beyond its animal-friendly fare. It’s also perhaps the only spot in town that hosts vegan jello wrestling matches. Yes, that’s right: vegan jello wrestling! What are you waiting for?

Ben’s Chili Bowl

1213 U St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-667-0909
www.benschilibowl.com

Born in 1958 in D.C.’s U Street corridor, then known as “Black Broadway,” Ben’s Chili Bowl is rich with a nostalgic history, as told through the autographed photos dotting the walls. Inexpensive and diner-esque, “The Bowl” remains a boisterously popular spot for a wide range of locals. You can’t go without chowing down on their famous veggie chili—get it straight up (by the bowl or the gallon!), slathered on some fries, or topped on a veggie burger. No matter how you eat it, you’ll enjoy it even more knowing that this legendary joint is still a hidden vegan treasure.

Ella’s Wood Fired Pizza

901 F St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-638-3434
www.ellaspizza.com

This upscale pizza parlor, conveniently located in the chic Penn Quarter neighborhood near Chinatown, is a must for soy-cheese pizza fans. Each pizza is hand crafted, layered with delectable toppings, and served straight from a wood-burning oven, which not only makes for a light and crispy crust with a slight smoky flavor, but it also happens to be the key to melting soy cheese just right.

Try the Melanzane pizza topped with eggplant, tomato, red onion, yellow peppers, black olives, and, at your request, vegan soy cheese. A single pizza is big enough for two modest diners, but we don’t suggest being modest at a time like this. Need another reason to go? You can further enhance your delightful dining experience by dabbling in some wine.

Java Green

1020 19th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-775-8899
www.javagreen.net

Winner of VegDC.com’s 2007 “'Best Vegetarian Restaurant” contest, Java Green is a mandatory destination for out-of-town guests—and for many Washingtonians, this bustling café is almost like a second home. The Saturday-only vegan brunch menu is an added attraction, especially on the third Saturday of each month when Java Green generously donates a portion of all sales to Compassion Over Killing.

The extensive, nearly all-vegan menu includes a variety of Korean-inspired dishes as well as paninis, wraps, soups, and more. Though you may be tempted to order one of everything, the “Chicken” Rice Bowl and the Veg Max panini (formerly known as the VegDC panini) are two dishes that you’ll hear being ordered over and over again. So why not get both and split them with a friend? Wash it all down with one of their specialty drinks like a Soy XO Green Tea Frappe or soy milk shake!

Soul Vegetarian

2606 Georgia Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-328-7685

If you’re looking to satisfy your cravings for a home-style macaroni and cheese that melts in your mouth, just like mom used to make (but without any animal products), then Soul Vegetarian is the place for you.

Touted at the oldest vegan establishment in the nation’s capital, this popular cafeteria-style eatery is located in a quaint two-story row house near Howard University. Each day of the week is marked by different menu options, but don’t fret—the irresistible macaroni and cheese is a daily staple. Even if you fill up there, you’ll probably want to take some home with you, too—for a midnight snack or breakfast or whatever.

Sticky Fingers

Sticky Fingers Bakery
1904 18th St., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-299-9700
www.stickyfingersbakery.com

This award-winning, all-vegan bakery and café needs no introduction—but since it’s the pride and joy of Washington, D.C.’s ultimate vegan destinations, we’ll give you one anyway. Located in the newly-renovated Tivoli Square area of Columbia Heights, the stylish Sticky Fingers Bakery is to vegans what a candy store is to kids. Sure, it looks innocent enough from the outside—but once inside, you may never end up leaving, at least not empty handed.

Your taste buds are immediately tempted by the muffins, cupcakes, scones, cookies and donuts galore calling your name from the front counter. Wait, what’s that behind you? Ah, of course, it’s a veggie hot dog machine happily nestled next to large vats of chili and cheese sauce. First famed for its “deliriously delicious” Sticky Bun, you should be warned that this multi-layered cinnamon roll dripping with icing is not just addictive, but it may actually cause your heart to skip a beat after your first bite. A newer item on the menu that has everyone in a tizzy is the “sausage and egg” breakfast sandwich (a.k.a. the vegan mcmuffin). Be sure to bring your appetite—and a friend to help you carry some treats home.

Worth the trip just outside of D.C.’s borders:

Vegetable Garden

11618 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Md.
301-468-9301
www.thevegetablegarden.com

Vegetable Garden is an award-winning all-vegan Asian restaurant that has been dishing out some of the best heart-healthy and animal-friendly fare in the D.C.-Metro area for more than a decade. It’s hard to highlight just one menu item, though the Beef with Pecan and Yams is local favorite for its delicate balance between sweetness and heartiness.

Loyal patrons are comprised of both die-hard carnivores and vegetarians, and on the first Thursday of every month, dozens of animal advocates gather here to support Compassion Over Killing—for over two years the Vegetable Garden has been hosting these monthly funding events, during which ten percent of all sales are automatically donated to COK.

Great Sage

5809 Clarksville Square Dr.
Clarksville, Md.
443-535-9400
www.great-sage.com

Located on Clarksville’s “Conscious Corner,” Great Sage’s all-vegetarian mouth-watering gourmet menu combined with its warm, earthy environment attracts diners from all over the region. Nearly everything, from the appetizers and entrees to the wine and beer, is made from organic ingredients.

Each dish offers its own experience, and the artful presentation is quickly eclipsed by the tantalizing taste in every bite. The aptly-named Americana is a savory mock meatloaf dish complimented with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy that represents cruelty-free comfort food at its best. While the portions are generous, if you’re like me, you’ll have a hard time parting with more than one forkful of food—just enough to convince your dining companion to order his or her own.

As amazingly delicious as this all sounds, there’s so much more where all of this came from—for the most comprehensive collection of veg-friendly eateries in and around the nation’s capital, be sure to check out VegDC.com.