VEGETARIAN

Chaco Canyon, Thrive

Chaco Canyon is hands down Seattle’s best vegan, raw-centric restaurant. While Thrive is also popular with raw-food junkies and those with severe food allergies (its pesto-stuffed mushrooms and ocean rolls are to die for), I fell in love with Chaco Canyon’s hot sandwiches and cider. One thing both cafes have in common: great juice bars; get the Gold Rush at Thrive and the Zen Calm at Chaco Canyon. Thrive: 1026 N.E. 65th St., 525-0300,

generationthrive.com. Chaco Canyon: 4757 12th Ave. N.E., 522-6966; 3770 S.W. Alaska St., 937-8732,

chacocanyoncafe.com GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT

Plum Bistro

Any restaurant that can unify omnivores and vegetarians through a dish called “Mac ’n’ Yease” is doing something right. It’s that dish—whose recipe remains highly guarded and was not included in owner Makini Howell’s recent cookbook—and others, like jerk-spiced tofu burgers, handmade pizzas, and smoky, charred vegetable sides, that keeps this bustling bistro packed night after night. From Tobey Maguire to India.Arie, it’s also your best bet for sighting health-conscious visiting celebrities. 1429 12th Ave., 838-5333,

plumbistro.com GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT

Sunlight Cafe

The U District’s Sunlight Cafe feels like your favorite aunt or grandma’s cozy eat-in kitchen, serving simple, hearty, comfort-style dishes. Everything’s vegetarian, so no matter what you order, you know someone’s watching out for your health, too. I like Sunlight’s breakfasts and brunches the best—the perfect times to bask in the sunlight that streams through the wall-sized windows and linger over a ginger-sesame tofu scramble before heading outside to start the day. 6403 Roosevelt Way N.E., 522-9060,

sunlightcafevegetarian.com GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT

Traveler’s Thali House

Vegetarian restaurants are hard to come by on Beacon Hill, so don’t pass by this one. It accommodates vegan and vegetarian preferences graciously, and offers plenty of daily specials along with its extensive general menu. If you’re a first-time diner, don’t worry about being overwhelmed with options; just ask for the server who looks like Neil Young, and he’ll expertly steer you toward a dish you didn’t even know you wanted. Save room for dessert: The fabulous Indian sweets come from Renton’s Pabla Indian Cuisine. 2524 Beacon Ave. S., 329-6260,

travelersthalihouse.com. GWENDOLYN ELLIOTT