Top 4 Plant-Based Restaurants in Newark, DE

Long gone are the days of salads and smoothies being the only plant-based options in restaurants. Fortunately for vegans, vegetarians, and everyone in between, Newark is filled with all types of delicious green cuisine. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat or high-end fare, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a guide to the best restaurants offering plant-based dishes throughout Newark. Some establishments only focus on vegetarian and vegan dishes, while others have separate plant-based menus.

Home Grown Cafe

Flat-lay Photography of Vegetable Salad on Plate by Ella Olsson is licensed with Pexels License

Located in downtown Newark, Home Grown Cafe has been a staple on Main Street for over two decades. This independently owned establishment has been recognized as one of Delaware’s best restaurants by Delaware Today, and for good reason. Executive chef Andrew Thorne has created an incredible restaurant that caters for all dietary lifestyles with delicious food that’s made daily from scratch. Home Grown Cafe has a welcoming environment made for everyone — vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike.

Home Grown Cafe’s colorful walls and eclectic artwork create a fun and vibrant atmosphere. The cafe prides itself on its hippie vibe and welcoming environment. The bar features a variety of upscale spirits, as well as house-made cocktails and mocktails. The drinks menu also has a large selection of great wines and beers.

Let’s talk about the most important part — the menu. A wide variety of dishes can be prepared as vegan or vegetarian if requested. We highly recommend the Buffalo wings, made with cauliflower, or the loaded fries, which can be made with vegan cheese and meat alternatives. Home Grown Cafe’s expansive menu has something for everyone, regardless of your diet.

• Location: 126 E. Main St., Newark.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday.

Pho Ever

If you’re tired of the same old dishes, try one of the best pho places in Delaware. Pho Ever is one of Newark’s most popular restaurants, offering a variety of healthy and naturally flavored soups. The cafe was established by Dien Thai, who brings a Western perspective mixed with Eastern tradition to the table. They produce high-quality Vietnamese food using only the finest ingredients. Best of all, they have a separate vegan and vegetarian menu, allowing you to easily find plant-based options.

Pho Ever is conveniently located in downtown Newark, right on Main Street. They offer curbside takeout and online ordering. Vegan dining has never been so convenient. Their vegan and vegetarian menu boasts appetizers such as the Very Vegan Rolls, made with avocado, mango, and assorted vegetables wrapped in rice paper. The vegetable dumplings are another must-try item.

From the entree menu, we recommend the vegetarian pho, which comes with fried tofu, vegetable dumplings, fresh veggies, and rice noodles, all in a vegetable-based broth. For something heartier, try the vegan tofu banh mi, complete with fried tofu, cucumber, lettuce, cilantro, and pickled radish, served on a baguette with a side of peanut sauce. Pho Ever is a great option when you’re looking for delicious, delightful plant-based Vietnamese cuisine.

• Location: 230 E. Main St., Suite 618, Newark.
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday.

Viva! Vegan

Viva! Vegan is a smoothie and dessert bar that whips up fresh and exciting vegan recipes weekly. The establishment is slowly shifting over to Evangeline’s Vegan Desserts, whose namesake runs the business. Evangeline has been vegan since 2000 and loves creating cruelty-free sweets for all to enjoy.

Viva! Vegan aims to serve delectable desserts and smoothies that incorporate ethically sourced ingredients. Since every item is 100% vegan, you can order anything off the menu without worrying about its ingredients. The fresh and vitalizing smoothie menu features fan favorites like the Beet It, which contains beetroot powder mixed with bananas, and Green Life, blending fresh greens and fruits to perfection.

For your sweet tooth, we recommend the Cookies & Cream Shake or the chocolate chip cookies. Since Evangeline has new creations weekly, be sure to regularly check her website to see the updated menu. She also makes desserts to order. Spice up your birthday or special event with custom-made vegan cakes or cupcakes. It can take up to a week for fulfillment, so plan accordingly.

• Location: 280 E. Main St., Suite 110, Newark.
• Hours: Closed Sunday and Monday, by appointment only on Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cafe 67

Located inside Newark Natural Foods, Cafe 67 offers the freshest food in Delaware. Their house specialties are made on-site and from scratch using all-natural ingredients. Although the cafe is not strictly vegan, they have a plethora of plant-based options.

You can grab a refreshing drink to go, like the Green Machine Juice, or dine in and order a sit-down breakfast. The CYO breakfast lets you create your own with options such as tofu scramble, vegan bacon, and vegetarian sausage and comes in the form of a sandwich, burrito, or omelet. For lunch, you can choose from vegan wraps, soups, sandwiches, and a full salad bar.

Cafe 67 also offers Vegan Treats of Bethlehem desserts, including cupcakes, cheesecakes, brownies, and cakes. Since the cinnamon bun is a customer favorite that sells out quickly, make sure you snag one first thing. All these items are “Grab-n-Go,” so there’s no wait to enjoy a heavenly dessert. Cafe 67 is the perfect place to pick up a cup of coffee and a savory or sweet dish in the morning.

• Location: 209 Newark Shopping Center, Newark.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Newark has some great vegan and vegetarian options available. We hope our list will help you find your new favorite spot to snack while staying eco-conscious. Go even greener with a new hybrid or electric Nissan. Our team at Hertrich Nissan of Newark is here to help you every step of the way. We have an extensive inventory of new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles to help you save the planet in luxury and style, regardless of your budget. Contact us today to get the process started.