by Shane Hampton

Created on: February 02, 2009

Dining out can be a challenge for vegetarians and vegans. When going to new restaurants, they have to ask the waiter complicated questions about how the food is prepared and what ingredients are in each menu item just to make sure that the food doesn't violate their lifestyle. Luckily, in Santa Rosa, California, several new restaurants are opening to cater specifically to the vegetarian lifestyle so that herbivores can rest easy about their meals. Here are some of the best and most popular vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Santa Rosa.

SEED

463 Sebastopol Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

(707) 546-7333

In Santa Rosa's trendy Arts District, Seed has opened to serve the vegan community of Sonoma County. The restaurant specializes in vegan foods like macademia cheez, tofu, and raw nut meats. The selection includes organic, raw, and living food that are all friendly to the health and nature-conscious vegetarian lifestyle. The tofu sloppy seed is a highly recommended menu item.

GG'S EARTH AND SURF

630 3rd Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

(707) 528-1445

GG's is a restaurant that will please both vegetarians and seafood lovers, so this is a good place to try if not everyone in the group is a vegetarian. All the food at GG's is locally grown, organic produce and sustainably harvested seafood. For environmentally aware people, most of the furniture in this downtown Santa Rosa restaurant is recycled furniture or made with eco-friendly materials. Everything is green at GG's.

NHABEE CAFE

913 4th St, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

(707) 568-6455

Also found near downtown Santa Rosa, the new Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant is a great experience for vegetarians. Ethiopian food has gained popularity among vegetarians over the last few decades. For first time visitors, try the vegetarian platter. Your table will get an array of vegetable dishes including potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, and salads in various seasonings and sauces. Don't even think about asking for a fork- use the injera flatbread to pinch up a scoop of food from the platter at the center of the table. Eating Ethiopian food often feels like a group activity since everyone eats from the same plate.

GOVINDA'S

1899 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

(707) 544-2491

Govinda's is a unique all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet. Everything is kept very clean and the dining room is nice and spacious, so this is a great family restaurant for vegetarians. Pay one price, about $8 at lunch, and eat as much as you want. Most of the food is based on Indian cooking.

SLICE OF LIFE

6970 McKinley Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472

(707) 829-6627

In nearby Sebastopol, the Slice of Life restaurant is worth the drive from Santa Rosa. They offer a wide range of vegan foods, with clear warnings when eggs or dairy are used in the menu item. Vegan lasagna, raw enchiladas, and pizza are some of the specialties at this unique restaurant found in the same parking lot as Whole Foods.

EAST WEST CAFE

128 N Main St, Sebastopol, CA 95472

(707) 829-2822

This celebrated downtown Sebastopol restaurant has been a favorite in the Santa Rosa area for many years. It is not 100% vegetarian, so you'll have to be careful with what you order but you can bring your non-vegetarian friends to join you. East West serves both wheat-free and dairy-free products and fresh-baked breads.

California is a mecca for vegetarian cuisine, and even smaller cities like Santa Rosa have a wide selection of restaurants that support vegetarian, vegan, and organic food lovers. At these restaurants, you will keep your body healthy and stay true to your dietary values without sacrificing one ounce of delicious flavor.

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