4 delicious vegetarian & plant-based restaurants in Wauwatosa

Plant-based diets have become all the rage these days, but people have been eschewing meat, dairy, eggs, and other animal-derived products from their diets for decades in the U.S. and centuries in other countries. The benefits of eating less meat and dairy, even just one or two days per week, are apparent: plant-based meals tend to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, higher in fiber and nutrients, and good for everything from your heart to your gut microbiome.

At Kennedy Chiropractic, I love helping people of all ages live healthy lives. I’m Dr. Corinne Kennedy, and I provide chiropractic care and holistic health consulting to patients in Wauwatosa and surrounding communities. I love exploring restaurants in Wauwatosa with my family, whether in-person or, more commonly these days, by ordering takeout.  Here are some of our favorite spots in Wauwatosa to grab a plant-based meal.

Urban Beets Cafe & Juicery

3077 N. Mayfair Rd.

Urban Beets is a fabulous place to go for a plant-based breakfast. Grab a delicious smoothie or cup of coffee and delicious bite to eat like a granola bowl or the unique and delicious carrot lox bagel (you read that right – the “lox” is actually pickled carrot!). Later in the day you can stop by for a tasty BLT burger, cauliflower po boy, or plate of nachos. The best part? Their entire menu is vegetarian/vegan. This is a great spot to try new things like tempeh or bacon alternatives before purchasing them yourself to create meals at home.

Thai-Namite

8725 W North Ave.

Thai restaurants offer lots of great options for people who are trying to eat a more plant-based diet, particularly if you’re avoiding dairy. Thai-namite is especially great for vegetarians and vegans as they offer tofu as a protein option for many of their traditionally meat-based dishes and a “make it vegan” option that doesn’t come with an extra charge. For lunch or dinner, start with the tasty warm and salted edamame or Golden Square (fried tofu with plum sauce) before trying the Garlic Pepper entree with tofu and brown rice or the Pad See Ew (wide rice noodles stir fried with egg and broccoli in a delicious sauce) with tofu. You can even request they leave the egg out to “make it vegan!”

The Fork Cafe at Outpost Natural Foods

7000 W. State St.

Eating at The Fork Cafe at Outpost comes with an additional benefit – you can get your grocery shopping done and pick up something tasty for lunch all in one stop! Be aware that, during COVID-19, the cafe is only open for to-go and grab-and-go orders. The cafe focuses on creating dishes made with organic, locally-sourced foods with lots of plant-based options. Try a super fresh peach ginger smoothie or kale kiwi apple juice for a dose of vitamins and grab a Falafel or Garden Delight sandwich and a side of their vegetarian soup-of-the-day.

Cafe Manna

3815 N. Brookfield Road in Brookfield

Located just a short drive from Wauwatosa in Brookfield, Cafe Manna is Wisconsin’s first Certified Green restaurant! Focusing on delicious dishes made with fresh produce delivered daily to their restaurant, Cafe Manna’s menu is 100% vegetarian with plenty of gluten-free and raw options. The barbacoa burrito bowl (made with jackfruit “barbacoa” that tastes just as delicious as the real thing), a tasty tempeh reuben, or the irresistible guacamole potato skins and “crab” cake entrees to share with friends. Cafe Manna also has some of the best plant-based desserts, like carrot cake, raw “cheesecake,” and chocolate chip cookie torte.

A nutritious diet is an important part of a long and healthy life, and supporting local businesses is an easy and delicious way to incorporate more plant-based meals into your routine. At Kennedy Chiropractic, we love helping people feel their best through expert chiropractic care. We specialize in back and neck pain, whiplash treatment, red light therapy, and much more. Give us a call today to talk through your questions and schedule your first appointment.