by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: February 11, 2010

It can be stressful to find a great restaurant when you are going out to eat with vegetarians and meat-eaters. Though there are not a huge number of vegetarian restaurants in Santa Rosa and the nearby cities, California cuisine is vegetarian-friendly and most restaurants have great options for both vegetarians and meat-eaters. If you are dining out with a mixed party, these restaurants are sure to please everyone's palates, at a variety of prices.

Annapurna Restaurant

Ever had Nepalese food? This unique cuisine is similar to Indian food, but a little lighter. It is spicy and Annapurna Restaurant offers many vegetarian options to diners. You can order a la carte or choose the vegetarian combination which offers small portions of many of the selections. Prices are reasonable and many of the vegetarian options are dairy-free. They also have an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet available during the day.

Zazu Restaurant & Farm

The small plates at Zazu are a vegetarian's paradise, although there are always options available for big plates as well. Go with a group and order a selection of small plates to share. The restaurant combines American classics with rustic Italian cuisine and the best fresh, seasonal produce that the area has to offer. Much of the produce is grown right on the grounds, and may even be picked in the middle of service if they are running out of an ingredient. Don't forget to save room for the desserts, which are innovative and fun. Menus change nightly.

Cafe Zazzle

In nearby Petaluma, Cafe Zazzle provides many vegetarian and vegan options for casual diners. The pastas, wraps, and salads have plenty of local produce and flavors. From Thai peanut sauces to curries to fajita flavors, the cuisine is global and simple. There are plenty of great desserts as well, if you need to add something sweet to your meal. Even the children's menu features great ingredients (such as the three-cheese cream sauce on their macaroni).

Cyrus Restaurant

Finally, if you are looking for a high-end restaurant for a special occasion, Cyrus Restaurant provides great options for vegetarians in Healdsburg. They offer an eight-course menu and a five-course menu, both of which are available with or without meat. The menu changes on a regular basis, but the current dinner menu includes options such as truffled red wine risotto and cauliflower soup with caper and raisins. The vegetarian options are every bit as decadent as their meat counterparts. Cyrus offers a large wine menu as well as a caviar and champagne cart and a cheese cart. It is elegant and sophisticated, no matter what kind of foods you prefer.

Choosing a restaurant should be a fun experience. Most restaurants have at least one option available to vegetarians, but what really makes a place vegetarian-friendly is a selection. Like anyone, the vegetarian diners in your party just want a selection to choose from when they reach a restaurant. Santa Rosa and the neighboring cities are full of vineyards and farms which provide fresh ingredients to these vegetarian-friendly restaurants.

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