Vegetarian restaurants in the Triangle 

In searching the Internet and polling friends, colleagues and sources for this week's Dish feature on eating meat-free in the Triangle, we compiled a list of six local establishments that are strictly vegetarian. We aren't promising we caught them all, but we can tell you this: Lots of experienced local vegetarians were surprised there were "that many" around here. Three are in Cary, one in Morrisville, one in Chapel Hill and one in Smithfield (well, OK, maybe that's not technically the Triangle, but it's within a reasonable drive). If you know of others, post a comment on this story and we'll add them to our online restaurant listings, which, by the way, are also fully searchable and include a list of "vegetarian-friendly" establishments. —Jennifer Strom

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• Photo by Derek Anderson
• Triangle vegetarians have a variety of options for Indian food. Here, Cool Breeze in Cary offers dahi batata puri, crisps of wheat flour filled with chutney, potato shavings, onion and yogurt.

Cool Breeze

An eclectic mix of traditional and unconventional. In the midst of Cary's "Little India," Cool Breeze provides diners with such veggie-friendly choices as dahi batata puri and paav bhaji. Other specialties include a range of desserts such as lychee ice cream and patiala lassi. (Read our Feb. 21, 2007, "Food Chain" profile of Cool Breeze.)

Eden's Vegetarian Dining & Catering Services

Specializing in vegetarian and vegan options. Caters to the dietary needs of customers. Selections include mesquite veg chicken, Cuban black bean spread and savory tofu steak.

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery and Café

A variety of vegetarian lunches such as the Asian moon wrap, veggie BLT and grilled portobella sandwich. Also a full-service bakery.

Sage Café

Featuring Persian cuisine and other vegetarian options, the menu offers vegetable lasagna, eggplant paradise and pomegranate stew, along with a variety of soups, salads and entrées such as soy chicken cutlets, pasta primavera and vegetable kabobs. (Read our Jan. 31, 2007, "$20 Dinners" profile of Sage.)

Shree Udupi Café

Traditional South Indian cuisine combined with a vegetarian sensibility. More than 75 vegetarian dining options including vegetable spring rolls, mattar paneer, ve korma and chana masala. Dine-in, takeout and catering.

Tower Indian Restaurant

Offering traditional vegetarian treats such as dosai (crepes made of rice and lentils) and uthappams (rice and lentil pancakes), gobi manchurian, mango lassis and chili paneer.