1. The Cider Press Café
601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
ciderpresscafe.com
photo above courtesy of The Cider Press Café
Whether you are a strict vegan or just trying to eat more plant-based meals, The Cider Press Café has something for everyone. Even bacon lovers will appreciate the smoky flavor and crisp texture of the eggplant “bacon” in their BLT sandwich. One of the most popular items on the menu is the Pad Thai. Made with zucchini and kelp noodles, this dish is certain to keep you coming back again and again.
2. Rawk Star Café
4011 Tampa Rd #11 Oldsmar, FL 34677
rawkstarcafe.com
Co-owners Adam P. Kantrovitz and Karen A. Di Gloria set out to help people by providing plant-based dishes and drinks for those looking for a more sustainable way of living and eating. They did just that when they opened Rawk Star Café—a vegan raw foods café and marketplace. Adam and Karen invite you to taste the benefits of non-processed, non-manipulated, all organic, pure and natural foods and herbs and “engage your curiosity and enthusiasm by trying something ‘natu-RAW-lly’ delicious.”
3. Meze 119
119 2nd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
meze119.com
Here’s proof that good things come in small packages. From a cozy storefront in downtown St. Petersburg, Meze 119 serves up some of the area’s best vegan and vegetarian dishes with an authentic Middle Eastern flare. Their falafel with tahini sauce is bursting with flavor, and as it states on the menu, it’s what they’re famous for. We love that you’re given the option of trying all three tasty salads—curried “chikk’n,” house, and falafel—in their Salad Sampler as well as multiple menu items in their choose one, two or three types of “Hoom-Uhs and Shmeer.”
