Positioned along the picturesque Gulf Coast of Florida lies more than just breathtaking beaches and crystalline waters. This region boasts a dynamic and varied culinary landscape, offering an extensive range of vegan and vegetarian alternatives. Whether you’re a committed plant-eater or merely keen on experimenting with new flavors, numerous eateries will accommodate your dietary needs.
From Fort Walton Beach through Seagrove to Seaside, Florida, and beyond, let’s set off on a culinary expedition as we discover some of the finest vegan and vegetarian dining establishments situated along this verdant coastal stretch known as the Emerald Coast.
From fruit bowls to omelets to veggie skillets, this hole-in-the-wall option on Okaloosa Island is close enough to condo row to pop over for a bite and be back on the beach in no time.
Build your own omelet, try a salad or snack on some avocado toast at this breakfast/brunch spot in the heart of Destin. Their espresso menu features a full coffee bar. This one is conveniently located near the Winn-Dixie and Target shopping complexes.
Indulge in hummus, feta cheese rolls and homemade falafel, or head next door to Burrito del Sol for fresh Florida-Mex including tempeh tacos done Baja, southwest, BBQ or chipotle style.
Formerly known as Breakfast Table Café, this breakfast and lunch restaurant offers everything from vegetarian-style breakfast burritos to yogurt with fruit and granola. Their hospitable team and warm ambiance render it an ideal location for the day’s most important meal.
Formula Fresh’s goal is to deliver superfood formulas aimed at making you feel fit, healthy and energized. Their menu features cold-pressed juices, made-to-order juices, smoothies and bowls ranging from “Be Yummy” with acai, banana and hemp granola to the “Berry Blast” with acai, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and agave.
Start with the agedashi tofu and stay for the secret garden roll, stuffed with mango and red bell pepper with sliced avocado on top. This one feels extra-special given it’s slightly out-of-the-way location, but it’s worth seeking out.
Situated inside City Food Hall at Destin Commons, this husband-and-wife-owned eatery changes its menu often and it’s hard to choose when we like it best. From tomato bisque to the “Greek Island Vacay” pita sandwich, this company shares the local love by serving Amavida Coffee and Fat & Weird Cookie based in Panama City Beach.
One of the newer entries on this list, Vibe Vegan Bistro came out of the gate strong. Their menu features poké bowls, crispy black bean tacos, whipped feta dip and more. This establishment lives by this Hippocrates motto: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
Go vegan with ambiance at Vin’Tij where dishes with roasted grapes, brie and pickled red onions are plentiful on the menu. The “Vegan Lucky Bowl” is packed with fingerling potatoes, shishito peppers and more. Pair it all with one of the wines from the restaurant’s extensive offerings.
Everkrisp is where “farm meets fast food.” Except here, fast food means bowls made to order, breakfast boxes with tempeh and quinoa or wraps with hummus and mixed greens. Order online for easy pick-up or relax in their patio space at Grand Boulevard.
Cashew sauces and Indian spices are on the menu at this Indian restaurant loved by the locals. Try the “Naughty Naan” pizza or chickpea curry at their Miramar Beach location or wherever their food truck might be hanging out for the day.
Located in Sandestin’s Market Shops, Clean Juice is a USDA-certified organic juice and food bar. They serve sandwiches on toasted sprouted bread, bowls with apples and date paste, and juices with taste profiles ranging from cacao milk to spirulina.
Fuel your soul in this locally-owned coffee shop and cafe with a variety of fancy toasts, a handheld mushroom melt pan-fried banana bread. Try a kombucha mimosa or sake-based bloody Mary.
Basmati’s Asian Cuisine offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes in a charming setting at Blue Mountain Beach. Try their vegetable korma or Thai green curry for a taste of flavorful plant-based cuisine.
A beloved bakery in Grayton Beach, Black Bear Bread Co. features an array of freshly baked goods. Their avocado toast with a soft-boiled egg is a vegetarian favorite, while their sourdough bread is a must-try.
If you can avoid the homemade cinnamon rolls (and good luck to you), plenty of other great things are on the menu at this bakery. Try the beans, greens and brown rice bowl, the summer berry salad or the frittata of the day. Other baked goods are always up for offer, and they do a slew of gluten-free foods as well.
Cowgirl Kitchen is a casual eatery with locations in Blue Mountain Beach and Rosemary Beach, offering a delightful assortment of vegetarian options like salads, wraps, and fresh vegetable sides. Their outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying the coastal breeze. Try the vegetarian green chile tacos and thank us later.
Not a traditional eatery like others we’ve featured, For The Health Of It is worth a stop if you’re after organic, grass-fed beef or specialty grocery items. This space also has a juice bar including the “V30A,” wellness shots and smoothies as well as onsite massage therapy.
We’ve featured Fonville Press before, but they bear another mention when it comes to their menus and grocery offerings. Grab a grain bowl for breakfast, “Frosecco” (yes, it’s exactly how it sounds – a frozen blend of prosecco, vodka and citrus) for the beach and a cheese board for everyone at the condo.
Great Southern Café in Seaside, Florida, offers an array of vegetarian dishes, including their famous grits a Ya Ya, a creamy blend of smoked gouda cheese grits topped with sautéed spinach, portobello mushrooms, and a tomato-bacon gravy. The collard and artichoke dip is the appetizer you never knew you needed.
This delightful bed and breakfast in Grayton Beach shouldn’t be overlooked as a great spot for vegetarian fare; their sign out front proclaims themselves a “vegetarian breakfast cafe.” They re-open to the public in February 2024 so until then, think hard about Nutella and pecans waffles, Hibiscus wonder cookies and their breakfast sliders.
This self-proclaimed “cozy little cafe” offers fruit smoothies and crepes as well as a full coffee and espresso bar to jumpstart your morning. After dinner, take the kids to this locale on 30A in Seagrove Beach for ice cream including flavors like Reese’s, banana pudding and non-dairy peach.
Meltdown on 30A is in the food truck lineup in Seaside, Florida, and serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. While they do offer meat options, their menu includes fantastic vegetarian options, such as the “Truffle Shuffle” with truffle oil and portobello mushrooms. The Caprese is sure to be a favorite.
An eclectic mix of cuisine, libations and culinary essentials, Modica Market has been run by three generations of the Modica family, providing a quaint grocery store experience for tourists and locals. Try one of their lunch specials (from August to March) while stocking up on everything from cookies to coffee mugs.
“Japanese cuisine with a southern flair” doesn’t sound like the makings of a vegan hotbed, but Nanbu has a ton of vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options ranging from the togarashi popcorn appetizer to the veggie rice bowl to tofu yaki. It’s conveniently located near 30A in the Shops of Grayton center.
With four locations from Miramar Beach to WaterColor, you’ll never have to travel far to get your mitts on twisted breadsticks, the white veggie pizza or their spinach salad. Try gluten-free or cauliflower crust for a change of pace.
Oh, Prema, you had us as hearts of palm ceviche. Everything at this fun stop is organic, gluten-free, soy-free and canola oil-free. Whether you grab the “Vitality” juice or pad Thai kelp noodles, this is one place you’ll return to again and again.
For health-conscious diners in Rosemary Beach, Raw and Juicy offers a menu filled with raw, organic and vegan options including acai bowls, salads and cold-pressed juices. It’s an ideal spot for a fresh and rejuvenating meal.
Their website proudly proclaims, “Welcome to the raw life,” and they stand behind it with their “Raw Boss Tonic” and “Raw Mermaid Lemonade.” Your kids might just need one of those “Raw Chill Pills,” too.
Red Fish Taco is known for its diverse seafood menu. However, they also offer vegetarian options like the “Not-So-Fish Taco” with grilled vegetables and black beans, making it a great choice for mixed dietary groups.
A favorite at the corner of 30A and County Highway 395, Surfing Deer made sure to include options for all types of diners on its menu. Try the crispy vegan wings when you arrive and end the evening with vegan apple pie.
CAVA recently acquired Zoe’s Kitchen, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, and since the changeover, it has become even more vegan- and vegetarian-friendly. The menu includes everything from falafel to saffron basmati rice. The pita chips will have you raving.
Finn’s goal is to keep it small, fresh and simple, and they do it with things like the “Early Bird Quesadilla” and bowls or wraps you can customize any way you like. On tap, they specialize in local craft beer and Noli South Kombucha.
We “sea” what you did with your business name and we’re big fans. We’re also fans of the foods, which include both sweet and savory crepes. You won’t go wrong with the “Eddie Veggie” or one stuffed with seasonal fruit.
Liza’s is a tiny, gourmet sandwich shop across from the beach in PCB, priding itself on using only the freshest ingredients for its menu. Choose from pimento cheese dip, “Warm Salad Napoleon” or a hummus panini, among other options.
The Lotus Cafe offers a health-conscious menu using all-natural, organic ingredients whenever possible. Try the “Zen Platter” and its seed cheese, the portabello veggie quesadilla or the power wrap with guac and salsa. Plus, you’ll be dining in the Zen Garden and if that doesn’t sound like a great way to kick off a vacation, we don’t know what does.
Think you can’t enjoy Vietnamese food at the beach? Pho-get about it! There’s tofu, rice and (best of all) Vietnamese coffee options all over the menu of this eatery located within sight of the sugar-white sand.
From breakfast spots to food trucks and fine dining establishments, this area is replete with vegan- and vegetarian-friendly options. Whether you’re exploring the laidback charm of Okaloosa Island or the picturesque streets of Rosemary Beach, you’re sure to find a restaurant that caters to your plant-based preferences. Embracing plant-based dining not only opens the door to a world of vibrant flavors and creative culinary adventures but also marks a step toward a healthier, more sustainable future for both ourselves and the planet.
