Best Vegetarian Restaurants in River Forest

"Restaurants Vegetarian Boystown. Even carnivores know Chicago Diner. The vibe is normal, everyday diner, albeit with soy milk, tofu and tempeh on the giant menu."

"Belovedby vegetarians and vegans, this eatery should also appeal to anyone simply looking for a satisfying, comforting meal. The Chicago Diner...Read More"

"The trendy go-to spot for made-from-scratch vegetarian and vegan comfort food, fair-trade coffee, and freshly baked organic treats, Handlebar is packed on most days with local Wicker Park hipsters enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu features vegetarian delights like pepita scrambled eggs, veggie chili mac and cheese, meat-free buffalo “chicken” wings, and the signature fried avocado tacos stuffed with cabbage slaw, refried beans, queso fresco, fresh tomatoes, and house-made salsa verde. Named for the multiple bike racks out back, the laid-back, friendly restaurant sees eco-minded folks chatting over tasty vegan fare and sampling from the extensive list of different drafts."

"Although we stopped by for lunch, this seems like a great place to head to for dinner and drinks. This vegetarian restaurant has plenty of vegan options. The lighting is incredibly dark and tables small, so it’s got a very cozy vibe and would be great for a date night."

"This neighborhood staple is known for offering late-night vegetarian fare. Veggie sloppy joes and buffalo chicken seitan wraps aren't something you want to miss."

"If you’re in the mood for Thai or Asian cuisine in Chicago, then Urban Vegan is a place you must go. I have dined here with both vegetarian and meat-eating friends, and they have all loved this restaurant. Prior to going vegan, I used to love orange chicken."

"A post shared by Urban Vegan Thai Cuisine (@urbanvegan_chicago). They had me at Mango Sticky Rice, my favorite Thai dessert. But you’ll find all of your most beloved Thai dishes — even a “Seafood” Tom Yum Soup made with soy fish and soy shrimps — veganified."

"Load up on veggie dumplings and then hit the main course with the soy orange chicken dinner to get your fix."

"Every restaurant in Chicago seems to be doing fried chicken these days but Belly Q serves it up Thai style with sweet chili and lime. Belly Q is known for its Asian bbq but also for its fusion of different flavors to create tastes that are uniquely its own. Chef Billy Kim invites diners into his industrial-chic restaurant, which formerly housed a pickle factory, that easily seats 200."

"Our kids weren’t sure about trying the Asian inspired cuisine. They aren’t the most adventurous eaters. But by the time we were done they all LOVED it and wanted to come back the next day."

"After Art Smith lost the lbs., he turned his attention to a casual chain serving food that fit his new, healthy lifestyle. That meant the fried chicken had to go, and was replaced with an un-fried version served alongside roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and cashew cream sauce that maxes-out at 566 calories."

"While not an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, Lyfe Kitchen's locations promote a healthy lifestyle by placing vegetables above all else in their menu. Try their vegan beet poke or Beyond Burger to see what we mean."

"Raw food, a subset of vegan cuisine, is hard to do well, but Chicago RAW has been diligently working at it for more than 10 years and they have ably filled that niche. Nuts are the main protein source and are used in myriad creative ways. You’ll find healthy raw juices and elixirs, smoothies (the Cinnamon Crunch with banana, granola, hemp seed, cinnamon, and almond milk will make you a believer), creative entrees (like the Fresh Spinach Lasagna with zucchini “noodles,” cashew cheese and marinara sauce), sandwiches, salads, desserts, and more."

"The plant-based dishes here are served completely raw, created with your health and wellness in mind. Order the nutrient-dense Chicago Raw Rolls, Chili Croquettes, an Empanada Platter, breads and spreads, Mock Tuna Pate or any one of the green juices and smoothies. You can also get dehydrated sweets and vegan ice cream here."

"Chicago Raw offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert|© Chicago Raw. Everything is raw at Chicago Raw, so expect a mix of uncooked, plant-based products. The menu is large, divided into many sections: smoothies, elixirs, sandwiches, salads, spreads and dehydrated sweets."

"You won’t find a classier brewery around Chicago than Moody Tongue, now settled into South Loop. For god’s sake, their beers are served in wine glasses, and if that isn’t dedication to the atmosphere, we don’t know what is. Their minimal menu includes fan favorites like the Smoked Applewood Gold and Carmalized Chocolate Churro Porter (WUT), but also a few limited releases, such as the champagne-reminiscent Shaved Black Truffle Pilsner."

"This acclaimed Chicago brewery has a sleek black-and-wood tap room that’s both comforting and refined, with mid-century furniture, a historic library of brewing books, and an eye-catching fireplace. The beers at Moody Tongue evoke the same vibe, with a specialty beer program that includes whiskey and wine barrel-aged brews and their renowned Farmers Market Series and Sour Series offerings."

"A lot of the restaurants on this list tend to lean toward the fancier end of things, as is often the case with restaurants with super views. If you want to find an unbeatable view but with a totally laid-back vibe, check out Caffe Oliva located at Ohio Street Beach. As you eat and drink at Caffe Oliva, toes dug into the sand and staring out at the blue of the lake, you could almost picture yourself transported away to a beach in the Mediterranean."

"Tucked away on the calm shores of Oak Street Beach, Caffe Olivia offers a casual menu and sweeping lake views in a charming atmosphere. Food options include fresh salads topped with grilled calamari, fish tacos, coconut shrimp, burgers named for different Chicago locales, and more. The patio welcomes dogs and even serves a burger patty just for your furry companion."

"Located right on the lakefront, you can stick your toes in the sand as you admire the soaring skyline before you. It’s the perfect place to grab a bite while you’re hanging out at the tiny but less-crowded-than-North-Ave Ohio Street Beach, and there is no shortage of perspective of our vastly diverse Chicago architecture."

"As the name suggests, the roof at The Garage Bar does whip up sandwiches: some teeming with crispy shrimp, others humble burgers elevated with a fried egg and bacon. Upstairs, the roof is decked out with comfy couches and green umbrellas, plus a changing list of 130 different beers, so even regulars can try something new. Plus, guests can play a handful of games like shuffleboard and darts."

"One of Chicago’s best craft beer stores moved into a larger space in Roscoe Village and recently began food service. While Bitter Pops’ ownership stressed that it will be a taproom first, its chef wants to push the boundaries of pub food. They’ve brought over spice bags from the U.K., stuffing them with seasoned fries and peppers."