The Yummiest Vegetarian in Houston

Roostar Vietnamese Grill

★★★★★ 4.5 (1674) • $$

"I think this is the original Roostar formerly known as Vietnam Poblano. It was surprising to walk in on a Tuesday night and note banh mi shop without any Vietnamese workers. The kitchen is a lot larger than you would expect from a banh mi shop, and I didn't see anything specific on the menu that would require that many people so they must do a lot of volume during the day.Their prices are more expensive than the typical Bellaire or Midtown shop, but their sandwiches are larger and they fill them well. They have two kinds of tofu sandwiches, one that is lemon pepper while the other is garlic butter. You can also get both, and you should get both to get the best tofu banh mi in Houston."

Roostar Vietnamese Grill

★★★★★ 4.6 (1132) • $

"Why 5 stars? Because this is definitely one of the best banh mi spots in Houston. --- --- ---And the only thing more prevalent in Houston than banh mi is Tex-Mex, so that's some pretty high praise. Actually, it's unfair to just call this an banh mi shop because they have a ton of great options on the menu. But they have several different types of banh mi, and I really loved the OG. No notes - it was perfect.I also ordered some bulgogi fries and couldn't resist trying the coconut cream corn. Both were home runs. I've never seen coconut cream corn before, but it was everything you'd want it to be and something I think more restaurants should do. The bulgogi fries were really thick and curly, with all of the awesomeness piled on top. The manager hooked me up with a couple samples of the pho and the slaw. The pho was really enjoyable, but the slaw stole the show. I have never had anything quite like it and would never come back to Roostar again without getting this. It's a combination of unique flavors and texture in every bite that must be eaten by every future visitor of Roostar until the end of time. I've had multiple Roostar locations bookmarked for years and was very close to visiting one on several different occasions, but it just was never in the cards. Today, I made sure to finally stop in and am kicking myself for waiting so long!"

Pondicheri

★★★★☆ 3.7 (1336) • $$

"I think it's been 12 years since I visited (I no longer live in Houston), but Pondicheri and Indika have been on my radar since their beginnings since I went to lower and middle school with the owner's daughter.We got both samosas to start. They were smaller than expected, I liked the goat more which also has a kick. Between the 3 of us, we got the Tuesday fried chicken special, green masala shrimp, and lamprais curry. Portion size is good, not huge like you may see at more "standard" Indian restaurants. What I enjoyed about the meal is the variety of flavors and textures. I love parties in my mouth, and Pondicheri delivered. We did make a reservation and "reserved" the special which is good because they did run out otherwise tonight. The fried chicken is an Indian take on chicken and waffles. The dwaffle (dosa waffle) has great chew and some crispiness and a savoriness that goes well with the sweet syrup that's also on it. Lamprais was just a unique mix of flavors not quite like anything I've really had before. I only had a bit of the shrimp since I'm technically allergic and don't really like it, but my sister enjoyed it. The utthapum is similar to a fermented pancake and was another flavor I liked.For dessert we got a chai pie bite and the saffron cheesecake. I only had a small bit of the pie bite but was pleasantly surprised by the custard texture which I was wary about. The saffron cheesecake was delicious, from the aromatic sauce to the creamy (I assume) saffron-ness."

Hobbit Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (1107) • $$

"Restaurant is super cute. You definitely feel like you are eating inside someone's cottage and it is Hobbit themed. This restaurant does not serve alcohol but you can get sake and wine. Staff was super friendly. And the food was pretty good."

Maharaja Bhog

★★★★☆ 4 (853) • $$

"I have been inhaling the delicious vegetarian food every time I drop off stuff at Goodwill behind Mahabharata Bhog during Covid pandemic. They had been operating and never close. Fast forward to 2023! I was grateful that I finally got a chance to eat here. I came here for a friend's birthday. We had lunch $22.99 was well spent. Because of their all you can eat in the format of bringing food to you, instead of get up and walk over to the buffet line. I have consumed enough Indian food, I could literally explain it to my friend as the food placed on our trays. My favorite part of meal was the variety of starches. I can ask as little or much as I want."

Lúa Viet Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.2 (570) • $$

"As versatile and as popular the neighborhood of Montrose is, it has always been limited in the Asian food arena, in particular Vietnamese fare. Enter Lúa Viet, which has quickly become an destination for many folks looking for a modern approach to the cuisine.There's a lot of good things here, so I'll start with some positives::: It's beautiful: The space is probably the most appealing thing, at least to me. It's bright with a lot of contemporary pieces that give off a casual vibe but also a tinge of sophistication. They've done an excellent job with the layout and designed it in a way where it's thoughtful and spacious. Whether it's the outdoor seating, a solo meal, or a group gathering, it's all possible here.:: Vegan / vegetarian options: I may not be vegan, but I appreciate it when there is an extensive list of dishes that are geared to the non-meaty palate. :: The parking lot: parking is a way of life in H-Town and to have a dedicated space with numerous spots is a luxury that is not common in this part of town.And the things I don't love so much::: For the most part, the food was a bust. It didn't speak to me the same way it has for many others and this is after coming here a handful of times and ordering something different each time. There is a certain essence of flavors, from the nuoc mam to the ingredients, and I wasn't getting it the same way that I would in other more traditional places in Bellaire.I was not very excited with their signature Lúa VIet pho ga, or pho bo and was really not feeling their mi xao or hu tieu. I think the bo luc lac was probably the best dish I had in there, but that was just from the tender chunks of meat. The bun vermicelli, cha gio, and many of the plant based versions were bland. I had to go a little harder on the seasoning to get it down.:: The prices. $16 noodle soup bowls? $17 stir fried dishes? I know the rent in the hood is not cheap and the usage of their fresher ingredients might justify the prices but foodflation is not on my side when the food is not my bag.:: Ordering format: I don't mind the somewhat unconventional format of ordering at the front, certainly this format exists in many fast casual places. However, I feel like the staff isn't particularly jazzed to take the order. Two instances felt like my group and I were inconveniencing the staff member for ordering so much. Not a deal breaker but far from a highlight.At the end of the day, I feel they answer a certain demand that exists in this part of town. However, it doesn't really align with my tastebuds or wallet as much as I would like and I hope that changes one day."

Blue Nile

★★★★☆ 4.2 (517) • $$

"When I'm craving something different and Ethiopian in particular, Blue Nile is my go-to! The food is soooo delicious and the service is fast and friendly offering an authentic dining experience. I love it! The Blue Nile special kitfo (medium well) is my go to, and the hubs loves the doro wot. The meat and veggie sambusas are yummy (I'm partial to the meat). You simply cannot go wrong. The spices, the flavors, the injera, the portions-- all perfection. I'm a fan, and I've never been more thrilled to eat with my hands!"

Cascabel

★★★★☆ 4.4 (419) • $$

"Tonight my daughter and I went and got an order of a burrito and a variety of street tacos. The food was fresh, and tasted excellent.I was impressed with the excellent customer service. We went close to closing and was served with no hesitation and the staff was very kind.The best part of the experience was that today is taco Tuesday and the food was reasonably priced. We will be returning. This is one of the best vegan experiences that I had in a long time. The restaurant was playing music and I just enjoyed the atmosphere."

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles

★★★★★ 4.8 (305) • $$

"My friends took me here for lunch when I was exploring Katy Asian Town and this was my first time coming. It was raining and kind of gloomy, so I was wanting something cozy and warm and this place was suggested. The restaurant itself is relatively small, but still comfortable.We all ordered our own "make it your own" ramen/hotpot type deal & so I ordered the tomato broth. They serve it hot right at your table and you can add in whatever you like and always order more at an extra cost. It comes with A LOT of noodles, meats, and veggies. The broth tasted like a thick tomato soup, which isn't entirely what I expected basing it off of the tomato bases from other hot pot places, but it was still really good. After putting in all the fixing's, I just waited a few seconds to ensure it was all getting cooked properly, and it was ready to eat. The meat was tender and the noodles were really nice, thick, and had a good chew. The noodles were probably the best part of the meal since it really had good texture and bite. It was very filling though. I felt that I barely made a dent in my noodles and only placed 1/3 of it into my broth - it was really filling.We also ordered some appetizers, but I forgot to take some pictures. We ordered the takoyaki, popcorn chicken, and the Schezwan spiced beef tripe. I am a sucker for takoyaki and popcorn chicken anywhere, so I was very happy with the appetizer selection. The beef tripe was interesting... not really my cup of tea, but it was good. However, I was eating the takoyaki like crazy and enjoying the popcorn chicken like no one's business.Overall, I had a really good experience here and the food was just as good. Completely came here blind, not knowing what to expect, and left feeling happy and glad I tried something new that I definitely will come back for."

Shri Balaji Bhavan

★★★★☆ 3.9 (394) • $$

Shiv Sagar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (375) • $

Nirmanz Food Boutique

★★★★☆ 3.8 (328) • $$

Flying Idlis

★★★★☆ 4.2 (240) • $

Flower Child

★★★★★ 4.5 (158) • $$

"Delicious! I loved my Brussels Sprouts & Organic Kale Salad (with salmon). Super healthy and tasty. Just what I was looking for.My fiancé also really enjoyed his Mediterranean Chicken Kabob Bowl. I tried some and it was yummy. Also, we both loved their gluten-free mac & cheese. Overall, a great experience. Can't wait to order again!"

Bombay Sweets

★★★★☆ 3.5 (252) • $

"I think this place is so awesome and a 5 star review is well deserved but think the service could be nicer. It isn't a fancy place but every single item is very good! We go to Indian places not knowing what things are so we usually just end up ordering a bunch of random things to try and take home knowing there is no way we would finish things. Pani Puri is the best here in my opinion and prices are very reasonable. Would come here more if I live closer!"

Duy Sandwiches

★★★★★ 4.6 (126) • $

koldprezz

★★★★★ 4.6 (124) • $

"Solid place for açaí bowls, although not the best I've had.PARKING========Strip mall, so plenty of spaces. AMBIANCE==========Bright colors like yellow and lime all over the walls. It's like I stepped into a Skittles factory. There was no background music, except employees loudly chopping up fruits in the background. Clean with natural light.ACAI BOWL==========ACAI MADNESSCame with açaí, banana, kale, mango, and strawberries in a plastic bowl. I prefer a ceramic bowl, because I was spoiled elsewhere. Toppings included granola, chia seeds, coconut flakes, and real honey. I like a creamier smoothie consistency. RATING: 3/5SERVICE=======Staff was friendly and efficient. We were given two bottles of complimentary water, and we appreciated that.OVERALL========Not sure where they sourced their organic ingredients, but would like to know if any of it are homemade (i.e. granola) or from local farmers (i.e. fruits, honey, etc.). Maybe I should try their juices and do a to-go order next time.RECOMMEND if you're craving juices or açaí bowls in Katy. Not my personal favorite, but it's A-OK."

Udipi Cafe - Hillcroft

★★★★☆ 3.6 (197)

"Had stopped by here recently to grab some vegetarian snacks. After being seated, I noticed some photos of Anthony Bourdain with the owner, so I had to ask about the details. He told me that Anthony Bourdain would his restaurant every time he was in Houston. The owner was very friendly and he did stop by every table to say hi and engage in a casual conversation. I ordered Bhel puri, a dahi puri, samosas and masala dosa. The items were good and filling. I was satisfied with the taste. Samosas were in point and served with two different types of chutneys. They have an extensive list of items on the menu, especially dosas. A nice variety of them. The service was up to standards. This is actually a sit down restaurant with table service. I plan to be back b"

IBUN Bakery

★★★★★ 4.7 (95) • $

"I went on a hunt for vegan desserts near me and iBun popped up. I noticed all the 5 star reviews and decided to give it a chance. Generally, I am a fan of Asian bakeries (red bean anything); however, I was concerned that I would not be able to decipher any of the offerings there because it is located in China Town and I noticed in the pictures much of the wording is in Chinese/Mandarin.Good news though, most of the items have been translated into English. If not, the wonderful staff will take their time to explain to you what it is. I was informed that everything with a "V" on it is actually vegan, woo-hoo!I bought the taro mochi, blueberry jam pastry, and vegan strawberry cake. All of which are marked as vegan.Taro mochi - this was made on the spot for me. It was pretty good. I preferred the filling the most. However, I do not think the mochi had enough time to rest and chill since it was made to order. BVegan strawberry cake - it was frozen when I bought it. The staff recommended I let it thaw for an hour, but that some guests like it frozen because it tastes like ice cream. I tried to consume it frozen but it was inedible. The strawberries were just too hard. After thawing an hour, it was still unpleasant to eat. After several hours, it was now edible. I enjoyed the cream filling, but wished the strawberries were cut smaller. They were just halved. The cake itself is like a shortbread. It really needed more filling or some type of sauce. C+Blueberry jam pastry - I was informed that the blueberry jam is made in-house and this is a popular item. I understand why this item is popular. By far the best item I had that day. It was fluffy and just the right amount of sweetness. I would definitely buy this again. AThe sweet staff also explained to me their lunch boxes and that it is best to call in and order in advance because they are made to order and take about 20 minutes to prepare.The parking lot gets full, so plan accordingly but a great place to get vegan desserts and savory bites as well."

Sam’s Cafe

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (284) • $

"As others have said. Horrible food. Currently staring at a dry as hell all white meat sesame chicken. Egg drop soup is saving me from starving tonight."

Pho Zen Texas

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (155) • $

"Went there for lunch on Friday afternoon. The place is small and inviting, very cutely decorated. The aroma of all the goodies being concocted in the kitchen welcomes you as you step through the doors. I'm going to guess the waitress and waiter were also the owners? They were kind and very attentive. The food...ah the food! We had Pho, spring rolls and fresh lemonade. The soup was piping hot how I like it, the spring rolls fresh and the lemonade on point. The freshness of the soybeans was impressive. Crispy and crunchy. Not a bit brownish and soggy like at some places. Def recommend this place, this just became the new place to go for Pho."

Velvet Taco

★★★★☆ 4.2 (99)

"First time coming to this taco place...and they did not disappoint...the concept of this business (to me) gives me somewhat of a Torchy's Taco feel...but on a smaller scale...the guy that took our order was patient and helped a lot...because the print on the paper menus are too small to read...but after getting his help I chose the tofu taco and the rotisserie chicken taco...my son had the chicken and waffle taco and brisket nachos...I must admit...these were the best tasting tofu tacos I've ever had in my life...the only word I can use for them is PERFECT...the rotisserie taco was ok...but I fell in love with the tofu...my son said that his brisket nachos were really good...and his chicken and waffle taco had some really good flavor...all in all...I will be coming back to Velvet Tacos"

Udipi Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 (121) • $$

"Having enough sides is important especially when guests come home unannounced, especially a pure vegetarian restaurant at that since some of us have reservations- Udupi cafe helped us on both these counts.Not having tried before we were apprehensive, but it was on the way and time was limited so got some food for take- away. Rotis, channa masala and plain rice was already at home, to complete the feast we got bhendi masala, malai khofta and zeera rice. Soo glad to say that Udupi cafe saved our day- The bhendi masala( ladies finger curry), was rightly cooked with not too much spice or too less, the malai khofta was creamy and just melt in the mouth, and zeera rice was flavorful. The price was reasonable and service time is good too. Should come back again to dine- in. For now happy with the take away."

Bread Zeppelin

★★★★★ 4.6 (62)

"A clever concept for a nice, filling, yet light meal option. I think of it as a Subway x Salata crossover - build-your-own or go with a pre-selected classic salad to stuff within a hollowed out French baguette. They have a wide variety of fresh salad ingredients, toppings, crunchies, and dressings so you can have it any way you like it. You can order ahead for pickup or use one of their self-service kiosks for an easy ordering experience. Plenty of room to dine in within their clean, spacious restaurant. I ordered their Classic Caesar Salad Sandwich and it was really yummy - would definitely order again!"

Water Drop Teahouse

★★★★★ 4.8 (48)

"The little restaurant is very pretty. The ambiance, the deco is so beautiful, so calming that a cup of their tea in hand, looking out at the beautiful garden at the cute little buddha sculptures in various poses can really change your mood and sooth you from within- it is afterall associated with the adjoining temple. Its just so unbelievable for a place like that to be existing so close to the hustle and bustle of Sugarland. The restaurant itself operates only from 11 to 3 pm everyday and on Sundays there is service in the temple, where, people like me can get headphones for translation. I am given to understand its been around for 20 years. The tea there is not to be missed, typical Chinese pot of tea, but they do have food as well. Since its a temple its ALL vegetarian. We got the kimchi tofu rice and the small appetizer plate. The lady who helped us was all smiles and adorable and explained each item on the menu in detail. There is also a gift shop where some spiritual/ decorative items can be purchased. It is a spiritual place so please be respectful of the place and the people. You will actually run into monks here."

Garden Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (68) • $$

"I was extremely impressed with the food and the service. I will definitely be back. Fresh taste and excellent flavor combinations."

Flying Idlis

★★★★☆ 4.4 (52)

"If you're coming downtown solely to eat here - as I was - parking isn't easy. However, if you're there, you'll find quality Indian breakfast food. An idli is a steamed cake and a dosa is a savory crepe; both are typically made from fermented lentils and rice, but they have more than one variety here.I sampled a "healthy" dosa with oats and buttermilk mixed in. I found this strange in that it implies that the default dosa is not healthy; it seems like they're selling themselves short. Such a dosa is thick and crumbly and pretty much tastes like oats and buttermilk. It was an interesting experiment, but to be honest I prefer the traditional version. No such issues with my idli, which I ordered the "bullet" version of. Both these items came with some really fantastic and unique chutneys for dipping. My idli had an extreme spicy one, but both had one that looked like coconut and tasted like peanut. The mix of flavors provided and exciting experience, and I was out of there for $10 plus tax and tip. This is the sort of breakfast I wish I ate more of."

Raj Bhavan

★★★★★ 4.5 (49) • $$

"Came in to satisfy our South Indian food cravings on Thursday for dinner and weren't disappointed. Place had quite a few customers for a Thursday night. We got the Paneer Dosa & Onion Rava Masala for dine in, and 1 Idli plate togo. I initially wanted to order the Khaman Dhokla but they said that they only give it for bulk orders, which I found very strange & misleading as it was on thier menu. Food came hot & was delicious. They don't give the orange tomato chutney with the dosa, just the coconut chutney and sambar. Nice to have this place that offers South Indian food close to Cypress. We will be back!"

Taste Of Mexico

★★★★☆ 4.4 (35)

"Really good Mexican food. They also do Tex-Mex. The street tacos are only $1.75 but they do use the taco tortillas so order like 4-5. I also ordered a mini torta, street corn, and horchata. They have so many different types of meat and guisados. The mini torta was the perfect size for me because I can't finish a regular size torta. This is my new go to taco spot"

Wings N’ Wine

★★★★★ 4.8 (26)

"Didn't try their wine, but their wings are great! You can choose between battered/breaded and Un-battered. You can choose the flavors you want (lemon pepper was my favorite- it wasn't too lemony; I also got garlic Parmesan but it was a little tangy for my liking)The wings were generously sized. The truffle fries are delicious. I thought the fried catfish was a little over salted but my husband liked it. The mozzarella sticks are pretty standard."

Farro

★★★★☆ 3.6 (17)

"Very filling salad bowls! I've been to Farro several times now, and it always hits the spot. My usual order is the Keto Bowl. What stands out to me the most here is the chicken, which they typically give a generous amount of.My only complaint is the price - while you do get a lot of food, it is more expensive than some of the other lunch spots offering similar items in downtown Houston. For how filling it is and the amount of protein included, however, I will continue to be back every once in a while."

Standard Sweets

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (17) • $$

"I've visited this restaurant several times, and I always get the Chana Batura. The chickpeas and the batura, though usually oily, is always tasty. It comes on one of those cafeteria serving trays with specific sections. For a $5.99 dish, you get two baturas (fried dough which kind of reminds me of the same Chinese fried dough that is served with congee), a good portion of hot seasoned chickpeas (I asked for spicy for mine), yogurt, and some pickles, and onions. On this visit, my coworkers also got the aloo parathas which is one flatbread that has a thin layer of seasoned potatoes filling inside. I also thought it had a good taste. One of my coworkers thought it was a bit salty, but I didn't think it was, though I was already full with my chana batura and was not able to enjoy it fully.Service is fast and nice, but the restaurant itself isn't very appealing to the eyes. In fact, even when I come for lunch several, I rarely see other customers. On this visit, my coworkers and I were the only ones there with a one or two customers coming in for take-out when we were leaving. For those who want to enjoy Chana Batura or Aloo Paratha, this is a good option."