Georgia World Congress Center – Vegetarian Guide

Sure the South is known for their barbecue, but there’s certainly no shortage of vegetarian-friendly restaurants down there either. Atlanta, Georgia, is home to plenty of them, for instance. That’s good news if you’re a vegetarian, or just someone who enjoys vegetarian food, who’s planning to attend an upcoming event at the Georgia World Congress Center.

No matter what kind of vegetarian eats you’re into, there’s bound to be a restaurant in Atlanta that will please your palate. If you’re a fan of veggie-fied takes on fast-food classics like burgers and hot dogs, Viva La Vegan and Slutty Vegan have got you covered. Want something on the healthier side? Look no further than Herban Fix.

Read on to learn more about these restaurants, along with a couple other vegetarian hotspots located near the Georgia World Congress Center.

Herban Fix

As we mentioned before, Herban Fix is all about healthy eating. That doesn’t menu their menu is full of dull, boring dishes and the repeated mention of kale however. No, Herban Fix believes that “healthy delicious is not an oxymoron,” and the food they serve is a testament to that belief.

Herban Fix’s head chef, Wendy Chang, emigrated from Taiwan to the U.S. in her late teens and has been in the restaurant business ever since. Her specialty is pan-Asian fusion cuisine, which is evident when you take a look at Herban Fix’s menu. Familiar Asian favorites such as pad Thai and steamed buns get the vegetarian treatment with the incorporation of proteins like tofu and soy duck.

In addition to their regular lunch and dinner service, Herban Fix also hosts a brunch buffet every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s a popular event among all types of eaters, so make a reservation if you plan to go while you’re in town visiting the Georgia World Congress Center.

Local Green Atlanta

With “Green” right in the name, it’s obvious the food they serve at Local Green Atlanta must be fresh, healthy, and full of veggies. But is it delicious? Absolutely! In fact, the whole idea behind Local Green Atlanta is that the taste of their food “is not compromised for health.”

They also say that the food at Local Green Atlanta “caters to an urban palate,” which is why their menu features lighter versions of dishes like tacos, burgers, and pizzas. Believe it or not, they’ve even got a pulled pork sandwich where the “pork” is actually jackfruit. To make it extra delicious, they top it with their homemade slaw and serve it on a perfectly toasted bun.

Alongside these main dishes you’ll find sides, salads, and drinks like cucumber- and cilantro-infused lemonade. They’ve also got smoothies, which you can get as either a drink or frozen bowl. Check out their combos if you’re looking to try a couple different items while saving a few bucks.

Viva La Vegan

Like Local Green Atlanta, Viva La Vegan takes comfort food classics and puts a healthy spin on them. So if you want to get your junk food fix during your visit to Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center while still staying health-conscious, look no further than Viva La Vegan.

Viva La Vegan’s menu is full of fun, inventive dishes, but their Buffalo cauliflower sub is perhaps the most unique. This sandwich features fried cauliflower florets drenched in a spicy Buffalo sauce offset by cool, crisp kale and tomato. Another one of their creative sandwich creations is a po’ boy that substitutes fried shrimp for konjac root.

Obviously sandwiches aren’t all they’ve got to offer at Viva La Vegan, though. Some other menu items worth mentioning include chili fries, chicken and waffles, and a pizza burrito. And yes, they’re all vegan too.

Slutty Vegan

Don’t let the name “Slutty Vegan” fool you; this food truck-turned-restaurant really does take their food seriously. Their often hour-plus wait times should be all the proof you need.

Now, waiting an hour or more to get your hungry hands on a veganized burger might sound excessive, but if you’ve got the time, they really are worth sticking around for. Why? Well, just listen to what comes on one of their most popular burgers, the Super Slut: an Impossible Burger patty, guacamole, jalapenos, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and their signature Slutty Sauce. I’d spend an hour or so waiting for that, and I’m not even a vegan!

Bole Ethiopian Restaurant

At a little over 10 miles away, Bole Ethiopian Restaurant is farther from the Georgia World Congress Center than any of the other restaurants on this list. Don’t let that stop you from going there though, especially if you’ve never had Ethiopian food before. This is definitely a great place to start.

A meal at Bole Ethiopian Restaurant isn’t just a meal; it’s a “vibrant cultural experience.” That means most of their menu items will probably seem pretty foreign to you because, well… they are. After all, it’s not every day you come across dishes like shiro, kitfo, and wot.

If you’re not sure what to get, the Vegetarian Combo is a safe bet. It comes with a variety of vegan-friendly dishes served on a bed of fresh injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread made from teff flour. These dishes include lentil and chickpea stew; a cabbage, potato, and carrot medley; Ethiopian-style collard greens; and a green bean and carrot stir-fry.

Those in the mood for something more familiar can opt for one of the dishes in the “Fusion” section of Bole Ethiopian Restaurant’s menu. Most of these dishes have meat in them, but their Ethiopian take on spaghetti can be made vegan. This dish consists of spaghetti sautéed in a flavorful Ethiopian-style tomato sauce served with a side salad and bread for dipping.