Whether you’re on a new diet kick, a lifelong vegan or just looking to cut some unwanted fats and sugars from your diet, you don’t have to rely solely on the options in Shark Dining for your healthy meals. The number of vegetarian, vegan and organic food joints in South Florida is greater than the number of blueberries in a smoothie from JuiceBlendz.
Sublime
Vegan food doesn’t have to look or taste like rabbit food. Sublime has turning simple vegetables into rich dishes down to an art. Sublime’s menu is full of purely vegan dishes, many of which are organic, and includes contemporary versions of classic dishes like quiche, ravioli and enchiladas, as well as unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else. Their most famous appetizer is the cauliflower “frito misto,” which is savory bits of cauliflower lightly fried and drizzled with sweet and spicy chili sauce. You can even satisfy your meat cravings with their “soybean meat” substitutes, such as the “Sublime Picatta” entrée, a seitan cutlet in a rich lemon caper sauce with braised spinach and mashed potatoes. Their dishes are hearty, artful and classy, just like the atmosphere of the restaurant itself.
Pizza Fusion
Eating healthy can be good for the Earth and not just your body. This pizza joint has an environmental focus, from its organic ingredients to its earth-friendly packaging and utensils. Their fresh pies feature vegetables and cheese in hearty and delicious combinations. Their menu includes everything from a “Very Vegan” pizza, which has 100 percent non-dairy mozzarella cheese, to a “The Founders Pie,” topped with free-range chicken, onion and four types of cheese. Substitute vegan soy cheese can be ordered on any pizza, and all of their sauces and pizza crusts are vegan. Their pizzas are great in the restaurant or to-go, and they even make deliveries via hybrid cars.
Myapapaya Juicery + Kitchen
If you’re looking for something refreshing to quench your thirst, look no further than Myapapaya. Their house-pressed juices are made in their counter-service café, and their countless flavors satisfy everyone from simple juice-lovers and those on steadfast juice cleanses. They also make fresh salads, soups of the day and sandwiches like falafel pitas, portobello wraps and avocado toast. Myapapaya is located conveniently across from the Galleria Mall, so it’s the perfect place to rejuvenate after a day of shopping.
Woodlands
If eating the same simple flavors of raw fruits and vegetables gets tiresome, then try something new and exotic at Woodlands Indian Cuisine. Their traditional South Indian food features plenty of spices and ingredients in rich and delicious combinations―all without a single piece of meat. Every dish can be ordered at the level of spice that your tongue can handle, and some of them are even vegan. They have popular dishes such as chana masala or aloo gobi and some unique items like dosas, which are Indian crepes stuffed with vegetables. Woodlands also has a daily lunch buffet to help you get more flavor out of your dollar.
Green Wave Cafe
Organic, raw and vegan are the buzz words of the health-conscious culinary world, and Green Wave café has the right to use them all. Their raw ingredients are pure and hardly altered by cooking processes, and they still somehow create unique flavor combinations, like a burrito wrap, pizza and even a Pad Thai. The Vegan Cheese Burger is their most popular item, and every entrée comes with a soup or salad. It’s a refreshing way to enjoy something nutritious, earthy and delicious.
Vegetables may be humble ingredients, but they don’t have to taste that way. There are so many local restaurants serving up vegetarian, vegan and organic options that will get you off campus and digging into something equally delicious and healthy.
Sublime
1431 N Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale 33304
Hours of operation: Monday through Sunday from 5:30-10 p.m.
Price range: $20 and under
Pizza Fusion
1013 N Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale 33304
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Price range: About $10 per pizza
Myapapaya Juicery + Kitchen
1040 Bayview Drive, Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale 33304
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Price range: $15-30
Woodlands
4816 N University Drive
Lauderhill 33351
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Price range: $15-30
Green Wave Cafe
5221 W Broward Blvd.
Plantation 33317
Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price range: $15-30
