Garden of Delight for Vegetarians and Vegans

Whether you’re a long-time vegetarian/vegan or simply looking for a plant-forward option, there’s more than just a garden variety in the QC. While this is by no means a complete list of veggie-friendly QC restaurants and eateries, here are some of my tried-and-true favorites for any time of the day:

Breakfast and Lunch

Healthy Harvest Urban Farms - All items are 100% vegan (plus 95% organic and 100% non-GMO).

Revive Cafe - Smoothie bowls, acai bowls, fresh juices, plus options to build your own wrap, salad, or quinoa bowl. Make sure to try to chickpea based “un-tuna” that can be added to several options.

Green background with white bowl filed with two light brown scoops of chick-pea based salad, spinach, cucumber, red pepper, and brown grain

Food Affair Bistro - One of my favorite places to meet a friend for lunch, Food Affair Bistro also has a made-to-order breakfast menu with avocado toasts, scrambles, and more. For an upscale dinner, Chef Aman’s other restaurant, Hemisphere’s, also offers a creative and exciting vegetarian fare in every course.

Fresh Blends - Fresh Blends has two locations (Davenport and Bettendorf) for your delicious plant-based smoothies, acai and smoothie bowls, and meal replacement shakes. Nearly every option, vegan protein is available. I also like to pick up some fresh kombucha when I’m stopping in.

Lunch and Dinner

Taste of Ethiopia - My husband and I used to always share the Vegetarian for 2 dinner (your selection of 6 different dishes), but I have my own favorites now - especially the spicy lentils (Ye’Misir Kay Wot) and I don’t always want to share! Don’t forget to ask for the vegetarian Ye’Misir Sambusas to start. I sometimes also add an extra order of Injera (a tangy, spongy bread that is used like a utensil to scoop up your food) so there’s plenty for leftovers the next day. In warmer weather, sitting on the riverfront patio makes for a perfect afternoon or evening.

Jennie’s Boxcar - Located in East Moline’s The Rustbelt, this trendy location (it really looks like a Boxcar inside) has tacos and fresh dishes for a variety of taste buds. Fresh juices are also available and used in the cocktails and margaritas.

Rustic restaurant interior with exposed beams, corrugated metal behind a bar, and a colorful mural

Zeke’s Island Family of Restaurants- Nearly everything that is offered on the Zeke’s menu has a tofu or vegetarian option, which I love. Don’t miss the red cabbage egg rolls - they’re a signature item for good reason. I’m also a big fan of the smothered plantain chips.

Me and Billy - I consider myself a connoisseur of veggie burgers, and Me and Billy’s made-from-scratch veggie burger is my hands-down favorite in the QC. And while I hesitate to recommend a salad in a list of vegetarian options, the charred onion ranch dressing is the best ranch in the Midwest; possibly the best on the planet.

Cavort - The menu offers a Lt. Chicken or Lt. Chk’n Sammy - and honestly, I can’t tell the difference in the photo below - can you? The pescatarian crowd will also love Cavort’s menu for creative fish options. Cavort's downtown Davenport location has a fun interior that also makes for great photos, so take a friend for dinner and a selfie.

Two nearly identical burger-type sandwiche with brown meat and red sauce, nestled with yellow potato chips

The Miss Phay Cafe/Exotic Thai/LemonGrass Cafe - With the vibrant flavors of Vietnam and Thailand combined with beautiful presentation, each of these restaurants boasts a different menu/setting, and it’s hard to decide which one you want to visit tonight (but you should absolutely pick one of them). Plus this family of restaurants takes requests seriously when it comes to allergies and ingredient substitutions - even in online, carry-out orders.

Your Pie - This fast-casual personal-sized pizzeria on Bettendorf’s 53rd street offers vegan and gluten-free options for made-to-order pizzas, calzones, pastas, and salads. Remember to save room for gelato or dairy-free sorbet, too.

Bayside Bistro - Located in the Village of East Davenport and a new location in Rock Island is where you'll find a variety of vegan/vegetarian-friendly flatbreads, bowls, and smoothies (omnivore diners will enjoy the slow-roasted meats). The banana pudding is out of this world, offered as a special - watch Bayside’s Facebook and Instagram for updates of what’s on the weekend menu.

Written by Catherine Petersen

Catherine Petersen grew up in Central Illinois, but the Quad Cities has been home since 2007. She is an assistant professor of English and Literature at Clinton Community College, one of the Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. With her husband, Andrew, and two young daughters, she lives near the Village of East Davenport in a 100+ year-old home. Together, they love exploring the Quad Cities arts, music, culture, history, and food experiences.