LBI’s Vegan-Friendly Restaurants

Jan 30

Living a plant-based lifestyle doesn’t mean you’re stuck with smoothie bowls, green juices and salads while visiting Long Beach Island. There are tons of LBI restaurants that offer vegan-friendly options and even whole vegan menus. Whether you’re dining with an all-vegan crowd or are looking for somewhere to eat that caters to all appetites, these local haunts consider everyone in the group. Read on to discover vegan-friendly restaurants on LBI that offer creative vegan options, from casual spots to upscale eateries.

Living on the Veg

Living on the Veg is an all-vegan restaurant, meaning no matter what you order, it’s certified vegan. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this fast-casual spot is great for quick eats to enjoy at home, at the beach or at the counter. As a vegan restaurant, they have a good variety of meat alternatives including tofu, tempeh and seitan that are turned into inventive dishes like portobello enchiladas, tofu scramble burritos, buffalo tempeh strips, avocado tempeh bacon sandwiches, raw tacos, black bean burgers and more. Living on the Veg also serves the classics, from açaí bowls, smoothies, juices and booster wellness shots that feature every fruit and vegetable under the sun to leafy salads, speciality sandwiches and deli classics like eggless, chickenless and tu-no salad. They also have a special menu with gluten-free options and a kid’s menu for your lil’ sprouts.

The WooHoo

You may know The WooHoo by its reputation for legendary ice cream, but this counter-service spot also serves food, including a 100% vegan menu. Grab a black bean burger and hand-cut french fries or sweet potato fries for an easy lunch and end it with some vegan ice cream for the perfect vegan meal. Ice cream flavors include Frococonut vanilla, chocolate and twist soft-serve, dairy-free vanilla hard-serve, homemade sorbet and Peppy’s pineapple float. The WooHoo is also known for its specials in-season, like the Fat Vegan that appeared over the summer and included their signature black bean burger, vegan fire nugs, fries, avocado, & tomato on a toasted potato bun. Keep an eye on their online ordering platform and social media for updates.

Spice It Up

Spice It Up is more than just an artisan food and goods shop, they have an incredible deli, too. While the menu favors deli classics with meat and cheese, guests can build their own sandwiches using the store’s huge variety of vegetables, spreads and condiments. The Zinnia Vegan sandwich is a particular fan favorite, made with fresh tomato, baby spinach, zucchini, bell pepper and slices red onion with chickpea lemon spread on a multigrain or gluten-free roll. Another vegan-friendly menu option is the Italian garden salad made with fresh greens, artichoke hearts, zucchini, red onion and tomato with a homemade tomato-basil dressing, just ask for it without the fresh mozzarella. Pro tip, this also makes an incredible vegan sandwich if you put it on bread!

Wally’s

Open year-round, Wally’s is a go-to for locals and visitors alike thanks to their very large, very diverse menu. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, this Surf City staple is best described as an upscale diner, offering tons of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options in a family-friendly atmosphere. All vegan dishes are marked with a “circled v” on the menu so you know exactly where to look. For breakfast, you have a choice of avocado toast, fruit bowls, build-your-own oatmeal and tofu scrambles, though the real stars of the show are the all-vegan pancakes and waffles that are topped with vegan butter and powdered sugar. At lunch and dinner, the menu expands with even more vegan options, including a vegan quesadilla, cauliflower soup, wild rice and mushroom soup, caesar or house salad with vegan caesar or vegan ranch dressing, plus a whole suite of vegan burgers like the plant-based quinoa beet, black bean or chickpea burger as well as meat alternatives like Gardein chicken and avocado and the Impossible burger.

Buckalew's Restaurant & Tavern

A classic Beach Haven tavern, Buckalew’s has a cozy, neighborhood feel with a comfort-food menu to match. Local, vegan-friendly favorites include hearty bowls like the Buddha, made with broccoli, roasted chickpeas, braised red cabbage, coconut rice, sweet chili and peanut sauce, the Harvest, featuring coconut rice, brussel sprouts, butternut squash, roasted beets, sweet chili sauce and maple grain mustard, and the Dorito Chili, the ultimate hangover cure with plant-based "meat", pinto beans, sweet chili Doritos and scallions. In addition to the bowls, Buckalew’s serves a black bean burger and a Beyond burger as well as vegan pizza that can be topped with roasted vegetables, vegan cheese and even plant-based meatballs. Pizzas can also be made with a gluten-free crust, giving even more depth to the offerings. Bonus, this is the only restaurant on the list with a full bar!

Ott’s Good Earth Garden

For white-table cloth dining with exceptional service to match, Ott’s Good Earth Garden delivers in a big way. In partnering with local farms, markets and bakeries, Ott’s is able to serve fresh, local fare made with sustainable and responsible ingredients. The menu has some serious vegan-friendly standouts, including the boneless vegetarian wings paired with a homemade barbecue sauce, roasted sweet potato with spinach and root vegetables, zucchini linguine with artichoke hearts, roasted heirloom tomatoes, leeks, spinach and fresh herbs in a lemon, garlic and white wine sauce, mushroom risotto, blackened or macadamia nut-crusted tofu with rice pilaf and garden vegetables. and a fried polenta with sautéed mushrooms and white beans.

Christina Cherry

Christina Cherry is a marketing consultant and writer based in Beach Haven West and Brooklyn. She spends most of her time eating carbs, taking long walks to nowhere and trying to be a good human. You can peep her travel blog at everywherewithcherry.com and her consulting work at cherrycreativestudio.com.