35 Best Vegan Restaurants near Essex

“Belgian and Swiss Chocolates, coffee, ice cream and gifts. Really, you had me at “chocolate” 😋.“

“The lobster rolls here are the best! The staff is excellent and the ferry boat ride is fun!“

“We visited last night for the first time since it was Oliver‘s Tavern years ago. We were so impressed from the moment we walked in the door. We opted to go upstairs to the beautiful bar area for appetizers and happy hour drink specials. The food was phenomenal (we had incredible nachos, which were loaded with beef and the fantastic, huge warm pretzel with cheese sauce) and the service was phenomenal as well! Every server and staff member was so attentive and super friendly ! Can’t wait to go back for another great experience and maybe take advantage of some nice weather and sitting out by the fire tables outside.“

“We have been to Shayna B's at least 10 times. The food is always amazing! Yesterday, 8 of us celebrated my wife's birthday. Everyone, including the non-gf folks, loved the food! The staff was great. I can't say enough nice things!!!“

“Came here for the first time today. I've been wanting to try for awhile. Amazing place. Love the menu! So many different things to choose from. Tons of veggie options. I had a veggie melt with broccoli, eggplant, onions, sundried tomatoes and cheese. It was amazing! If you haven't been, great eats for breakfast and lunch!“

“I’ve always had a great experience at Himalaya Cafe. You can tell that all the staff takes a lot of pride in their craft. The food is by far the best around and is reasonably priced. The ambiance is clean, warm and relaxing and the service is always very friendly. One of my favorite restaurants around!“

“Such great service but even more so, the chefs are incredible with their creativity and delivery of unique and delicious food. Liv's is an oasis away from home....they do so much to make dinner special every time. Thank you all.“

“Just tried the vegan chocolate and vegan lemon blueberry. May I just say they were both outstanding...creamy, rich and delicious. Well done Honeycone Cream Co. 🥰 I will definitely be a repeat customer. Husband had a vanilla milkshake and he said it was really good.“

“Best penne alla vodka I’ve ever had. Gluten free option too! Great service as well. ❤️“

“absolutely the Best in this area“

“We came as a party of three on a Thursday night. We were sat at a comfortable booth. I appreciate the detailed descriptions for each dish. All the food was delicious, I especially enjoyed the lamb Rogan Josh. I asked for spicy, and was not disappointed. The garlic naan and ghee paratha went great with the curry. The owner was very nice and came out to check on us.“

“Very good dining experience. food, service and atmosphere get a big thumbs up 👍“

“The only issue with this restaurant is the availability of parking. Yep, I had to walk 1/2 a mile. But that is a small price for this outstanding dining experience. From creative cocktails to wonderful warm house made bread and an entree menu that is ever evolving. Don't miss dessert because you are in for a real treat. This may be Connecticut's best restaurant. Enjoy walking the village of Chester. It is a classic New England storybook village.“

“From the very first bite, I knew this place was something special. The food wasn’t just delicious—it was extraordinary. Every dish burst with rich, authentic flavors that transported me straight back to home-cooked meals made with love. The depth of seasoning, the perfect balance of spices—it was clear that each recipe was crafted with passion and expertise.

The ambiance only added to the magic. Cozy, inviting, and effortlessly comfortable, the restaurant made me feel right at home. Whether you're looking for an intimate dinner or a relaxed meal, this is the spot.

And the best part? Everything is impeccably fresh, with thoughtful touches like gluten-free options. I can’t recommend this place enough—it’s not just a meal, it’s an experience. Do not miss out!“

“Amazing food every single time!! Beautiful hidden jewel in Westbrook CT!!!“

“We pulled in here on a whim earlier today and were lucky enough to guy something right before they closed for the day. Carrot cake was amazing. Hard to believe it’s soy free, dairy free, and gluten free. Really made my wife’s birthday special. Highly recommend this place, whether you have relevant food allergies or not.“

“Wonderful customer service, loved the sundae and small ice cream even bought a shirt and the lady at the register took the time to find my size in the back.“

“Excellent food. Owner on site regularly. Buttermilk fried chicken is excellent. Great specials. A local favorite.“

“Honestly originally came here thinking it was a typical tavern. Left having one of the best food experiences I have ever had! The food was amazing and so perfectly prepared I have been back countless times since and am always recommending them to friends and family. Definitely need to fit in a date night here really soon!!!“

“Food is good and at very reasonable prices. They are very friendly people. I come here all the time!“

“Been goin here since they opened. Always hires polite staff, usually local students from town. I remember the mascot dog (Luna) . This is the best place around to get a family treat. Thank you for the consistent love and care of what you do.“

“great beer selection and bar food is unique and creative“

“real fresh d fashioned food. good quality and great price. service was great as well“

“We frequent this spot during the summer months and the ice cream is good. Was disappointed last evening though as staff seemed in a hurry and a bit rude. One thing that should be address is the massive spider and bugs above where you stand to wait for your order . A good power wash would be good!! Love the ice cream though“

“Delicious beautiful place“

“Very Friendly Place. It has a small little local artist shop!“

“Always loved this place. Food and service amazing! Always stop here on my way through town.“

“The staff were very sweet and attentive! There were many small details which made it special- a little flower rose on the straw, beautiful decorative edges to the vegetables, soooo yummy (M- curry) and simple decor with rich accents. Loved the sitting area!“

“The best place in Coastal Connecticut“

“My husband and I went to Aspen the other night for our wedding anniversary. We had our rehearsal dinner there 4 years ago and were blown away by the food.. well, once again, they nailed it! It was delicious!! Not only was the food good, but our waiter, Joe M (funny, same name as my husband 😅), was wonderful! We will definitely be back again!!“

“great beer selection and bar food is unique and creative“

“Great fresh food with a lot of options. Plan ahead on weekends, you should expect hour plus wait times once you are seated for your food. We come here frequently for breakfast - it’s faster to order takeout for sure.“

“We thoroughly enjoyed our Sunday brunch at Fresh Salt! The lobster extravaganza had several unique and delicious selections and abundant lobster. We had a nice table overlooking the water. Our waitress, Kristen, was excellent! All the servers and cooks were extremely helpful and friendly. My wife has a gluten allergy and she had several delicious choices and the staff also made another special dish to accommodate her allergy. We felt very welcomed and will definitely be back in the future!“

“Great fresh food with a lot of options. Plan ahead on weekends, you should expect hour plus wait times once you are seated for your food. We come here frequently for breakfast - it’s faster to order takeout for sure.“

“Love this place. Authentic spicy flavorful food. Quick polite service.“