Innovative cuisine can be found in Portland's vegetarian restaurants.
Lobster may be the main food item most people associate with the state of Maine, but in the waterfront city of Portland, seafood is not the only thing on the menu. Farmers make good use of the northern state's growing season, and vegetarian restaurants take advantage of the available produce. Portland is an old but progressive city, with a variety of arts and cultural offerings, and the vegetarian restaurants in the city reflect that, with fresh, multi-cultural and modern cuisines.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
Located in the arts district of downtown Portland, just a block from the Portland Museum of Art, the Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro serves an Asian fusion menu. Influences from all over Asia can be found in items such as hot and sour noodle soup, tofu tikka masala, crispy wontons, tofu teriyaki, oyster mushroom tempura, curries and Thai basil fried rice. Most of the menu items are available in a vegan version. Beer and wine are available. The restaurant is closed on Monday, serves lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and is closed for a couple of hours between the two meals, and only dinner is available on Sunday. Reservations are not accepted.
Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro
608 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
207-347-3111
greenelephantmaine.com
GRO Cafe
Just down the street from the Portland City Hall is GRO Cafe, the only completely organic and raw vegetarian establishment in the city. The cafe serves a varied menu for lunch and dinner that includes appetizers, salads and entrees, and is also home to a juice bar. GRO is also well-known for creating handmade raw chocolates and desserts. The menu includes innovative items like spiraled zucchini noodles and raw zucchini pasta and nut balls, and variations of sushi rolls such as a chipotle hand roll that fuses Japanese and Mexican cuisine. A menu for kids is available, and fresh-squeezed juices and fruit smoothies are prominently featured. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Saturday and for dinner on Thursday through Saturday, and closes briefly between lunch and dinner. The cafe is closed on Sundays.
GRO Cafe
437 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
207-541-9119
grofoods.com
Little Lad's Bakery & Cafe
At the east end of the arts district is the entirely vegan establishment of Little Lad's Bakery & Cafe. The restaurant also follows kosher and halal practices. The menu offers a variety of vegetables and grains in many forms, such as lentil pilaf and squash soups, and offers a vegan take on comfort food with items like shepherd's pie, burrito pie, pizza and lasagna. Breads and pastries are made on the premises. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch on Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends.
Little Lad's Bakery & Cafe
482 Congress St.
Portland, ME 04101
206-871-1636
littlelads.net
Tags: Bakery Cafe, Congress Portland, Congress Portland 04101, Elephant Vegetarian, Elephant Vegetarian Bistro