7 plant-based dishes from Wilmington restaurants that even skeptics will love
Local restaurants serving vegan fare say there’s a demand for their businesses, but not everyone is equally welcoming. Robin Hill, an owner at Panacea Brewing Company in Wilmington, said she’s seen potential customers come in and and turn right around when they learn they don't serve meat.
“There’s a scientific study," she said. "People are less likely to buy something if it’s labeled as vegan.”
Other, similar local restaurants agree.
“Sometimes it’s better to say plant-based,” said Kelly Chance, of Sealevel City Vegan Diner. “It doesn’t scare people as much.”
And, let’s face it, we all know that eating more vegetables is good advice. Typically, World Vegan Month is in November and is about promoting the overall vegan lifestyle, Hill said.
“But it doesn’t have to be pushy,” she said. “I think we should promote compassion, for everyone. That might be a way to open people to try something new.”
With that in mind, you might want to check out the meat-free options at restaurants like Savorez and Indochine or try some of these vegan dishes you can try at local restaurants that anyone can love.
Butternut Squash Bisque, The Green House
Chef Mauricio Huarcaya, who is head chef at this plant-based, fine dining restaurant, knows this soup is a winner. It’s on the menu, but he also served it at a recent dinner event at the local Red Beard Farm. The soup is so creamy, you’d never know it doesn’t have dairy. Toasted pepitas, Mala spice and miso garlic add more dimension to the dish. If you like it, you could also try Green House’s signature Lion’s Mane mushroom entrée or the Hoppin’ John at 1427 Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington.
Fall Squash Pizza, Salita Pizza
This pizza restaurant in the Cargo District always has a vegan pizza on the menu, said co-owner Jim Diecchio. However, he doesn’t really believe in commercially available vegan cheese, which does put off some people who follow the diet. Instead, he relies on a creamy vegetable puree as a base. He said it’s one of their most popular selections, and many people enjoy it without realizing it’s meat- and dairy-free. The current version features fall squash, onion and salsa Macha at 615 S. 16th St., Wilmington.
Kimchi Tempeh Reuben, Sealevel City Vegan Diner
Scott Key, one of the Sealevel owners, say they make it easy to try vegan food with classic comfort food. This sandwich, with house-made kimchi and sauerkraut, Russian dressing and grilled rye bread is one marked as a staff and customer favorite. If you like the Reuben, you could also try their burgers (including the popular lentil burger) and the Kale Nachos at 1015 S. Kerr Ave., Wilmington.
Trash Burger, Panacea Brewing Company
The BBQ taco is super approachable, Hill said. And for World Vegan Day, they’re bringing back their plant-based birria. But the best-selling item is absolutely the Trash Burger, she said. It’s a house-made patty with cheese, lettuce and tomato on a pretzel bun with fried onion straws and grilled jalapeno. Plus, it’s smothered in queso. “It’s a delicious distraction that it’s not meat,” she said.
Chana Masala, Nawab Fine Indian Cuisine
The Sunday lunch buffet at this restaurant in Wilmington is an easy way to try some vegan and vegetarian dishes. There are always some available. Then, you could try the once-a-month vegan buffet. The next is scheduled for Nov. 8. If you want to try one of their most popular options, it's this chickpea curry, a staple dish in North Indian cuisine. It's at 6828 Market St., Wilmington.
Mujadara, Tidal Creek Co-op
Nikki Spears, one of the area's most well-known vegan chefs, suggests this Middle Eastern dish as one that even skeptics will love. Now she's on the staff at Tidal Creek and often makes the lentil-and-rice dish that's seasoned with caramelized onions, olive oil, and salt. It also goes well served mezze style, with additions like tzatziki sauce, hummus, tabouleh, olives and chopped salad.
The Music Teacher, Well Fed Ed
For former teacher Lucas McLawhorn, part of owning a food truck is all about educating people about the advantages of a plant-based diet. Each dish is names for a role in the school system. And there's a reason that he served this one as a part of the competition to own his own restaurant in Burgaw. It's one that's easy to love, with chocolate bean molé and rice with tortillas, corn-and-mango salsa and guacamole.
Do you have another favorite vegan dish served in New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender counties? Let us know! Email aballard@gannett.com.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Vegan restaurants in Wilmington, NC, for World Vegan Day
