Absynnia Restaurant – This Ethiopian restaurant features a number of low-fat vegetarian dishes served with endless spongey injera bread. Don't miss their amazing Saturday buffet where almost every dish offered is vegetarian. 2600 Poplar (321-0082).

Bewala's Vegan Gourmet — The only raw cafe in town. Offers Bewala's signature raw burgers, carrot salad, sprouted quinoa chili, and more. 1651 Union Av 1651 Union Ave. Memphis, TN 38104 901 274-3917

Bhan Thai – Gourmet Thai dishes, any of which can be prepared with fried tofu. Its romantic ambiance makes this a great date restaurant. Be sure to ask thatv items are prepared without fish sauce. 1324 Peabody (272-1538).

Blue Coast Burrito – Make your own veggie burritos! 3546 Walker Ave. (323-3730).

Blue Fin — Hip downtown sushi bar with several veggie rolls, including the best shitake roll in town. 135 S. Main (528-1010).

Boscos Squared – This Midtown microbrewery serves yummy veggie burgers and locally-sourced, locally-brewed Ghost River beer. 2120 Madison (432-2222).  

Brother Juniper’s – Scrambled tofu, veggie sausage, and other vegetarian breakfast items. Located in the University of Memphis area. 3519 Walker Ave. (324-0144).

Cafe Eclectic — Best black bean burger in town, available in wrap with spicy vegan mayo or on a whole wheat bun. Also hummus pita, roasted sweet taters, soy lattes, and fresh-baked loaves of sourdough and ciabatta bread. 603 N. McLean (725-1718).

Café Ole – Mexican fare with plenty of vegetarian options. Try the veggie tacos (served with bean sprouts) and the black bean soup. 959 S. Cooper (274-1504).

Casa Grill – This Cooper-Young eatery offers Middle Eastern fare. Their falafel is to die for (the secret’s in the sauce). Also check out the rice-stuffed grape leaves. 2156 Young Ave. (725-8558).

Central BBQ – Get your BBQ fix sans the pulled pork with their BBQ portabella sandwich. Vegans, ask them to leave off the cheese 2249 Central (272-9377).

Chang’s Bubble Tea – The best homemade Kim chi soup on the planet! And bubble tea!!! 4465 Poplar (682-7229).

Deja Vu Creole Soul Food and Vegetarian Cafe — Large vegan menu featuring Southern comfort foods, like mock chicken salad, BBQ tofu, and much more. All the soul food sides are vegan, like collard greens and candied yams. And they have delicious vegan desserts!! Two Locations Now --
936 Florida St. (942-1400)  and 3557 Ridgeway by corner of Winchester
tel: 901 590 2221  (Same parking lot as New Direction Church)

Huey’s – Famous Memphis burger joint offering veggie and black bean burger patties. The patties are completely vegan! 77 S. Second (525-4839); 1927 Madison (726-4372); 4872 Poplar (682-7729); 7825 Winchester (624-8911); 1771 N. Germantown Pkwy. (754-3885); 2130 W. Poplar, Collierville (854-4455).

India Palace – Lots of veggie options are offered at this Midtown institution. Try the vegetable curry, the dhal soup, or the extensive buffet. 1720 Poplar (278-1199).

Jasmine – There are tons of vegan options at this yummy Thai restaurant. Dishes on about half the menu are served with tofu (and they have a huge menu). Try the Potato Basket (fried tofu and stir-fried veggies served in a basket made from fried hashbrowns). 916 S. Cooper (725-0223).

Java Cabana – This Cooper-Young coffeehouse serves vegan tacos, soy burgers, vegetarian sausage and biscuits, giant vegan cookies, and vegan cappuccinos. 2170 Young Ave. (272-7210).

Kwik Chek – Who says convenience store food has to be unhealthy? At the Kwik Chek on Madison (across from the Blue Monkey), they’re serving up falafel and hummus pitas (vegans: ask them to leave off the cucumber sauce). 2013 Madison (274-9293).

Mellow Mushroom — Vegan-friendly pizza parlor offering BBQ tofu, pesto tofu, and tempeh toppings. Also offering tofu and tempeh hoagies. 9155 Hwy. 72 (907-0243).

Moe’s Southwest Grill – This national chain of burrito restaurants offers marinated tofu in place of chicken or steak on burritos and tacos. And bring your appetite because the burritos are super-fat! 6300 Poplar (881-6012); 465 N. Germantown Pkwy. (737-5058).

Molly’s La Casita – A Memphis staple, this Mexican joint makes a mean vegetarian platter. 2006 Madison (726-1873).

Otherlands – This quaint little Midtown coffeeshop serves vegan frozen coffee drinks, juices, bagels with various spreads, soups, and other yummy quick items. You must try the vegan cheese toast! 641 S. Cooper (278-4994).

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro – Fine dining the vegetarian way. Though only a few menu items list tofu, ANY dish at P.F. Chang’s can be made with tofu instead of meat. Just ask your waiter. 1181 Ridgeway (818-3889). 

Pei Wei Asian Diner – A fast-food version of P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, this Midtown chain serves several tasty tofu dishes. 1680 Union (722-3780); 540 South Mendenhall Rd. (761-9226); 2257 North Germantown Parkway (382-1822).
 

Pho Hoa Binh – During the work week, this little Vietnamese joint has a buffet full of fried tofu stir-fries and soups. And it’s only $4.50 for all-you-can-eat! Other times of the day, order off the extensive menu. 1615 Madison (276-0066).

RP Tracks – This U of M area bar and grill serves YUMMY barbecue tofu nachos, a barbecue tofu burrito, a barbecue tofu sandwich, a veggie burrito, wild rice & veggies, and some damn good hummus. A must for any local or visiting vegetarian! 3547 Walker (327-1471).

Saigon Le — Vietnamese restaurant with tons of tofu dishes and a few wheat gluten-based entrees. Try the Kung Pao Tofu or the Barbecue Wheat Gluten. 51 N. Cleveland (276-5326).  

Safari World Tapas Bar –  Gourmet vegan grub and tapas. The stuffed bell pepper with mushroom sauce is totally vegan and it will blow you away. Great-tasting food from very earth-conscious and friendly folks. 414 S. Main (672-7339). 

Sekisui – Sushi place with numerous different vegetarian options. 25 Belvedere (725-0005). 160 Union (523-0001); 50 Humphreys (747-0001); 4724 Poplar (767-7770).

Tasty Buffet – One of the largest Chinese buffets in the city. Quite a few vegetarian items, including lo main, green beans, fried rice, and occasional veggie sushi. Also some American items, like fried potatoes. 3420 Plaza Ave. (323-3889).

Woodlands Indian Vegetarian Cuisine — South Indian restaurant serving dosas, gobi manchurian, aloo gobi, and much more. Their Saturday buffet will leave any vegetarian overwhelmed with delicious choices. 4205 Hacks Cross Rd. (737-9914).

Whole Foods – Offering several vegan and vegetarian entrees on the hot bar and salad bar, as well as a number of vegetarian take-home deli items. The mock chicken nuggets on the hot bar are a must-try. 5022 Poplar (685-2293).