50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Essex

“This is definitely the place for a special dining experience. The menu, quality of food, service — all top notch. Thanks to The Essex team for making our anniversary amazing!“

“SO SO SO SO GOOD. We couldn’t decide so we got 3- a margherita, a classic and a mashed potato. The sauce is incredibly, and every pie was perfectly balanced with ingredients and an insane crust that was both chewy and crunchy. 🤌🏻 perfecto!“

“I celebrated my birthday at the Seal tonight. We haven't been in a while. I had the Short Rib Ravioli, Mom had the Serloin Steak, my wife had Tuna and our son a grilled cheese. Everything was delicious! Our server said she was new, but did a great job. We finished with warm Carmel apple pie! It was the perfect ending to a great night!“

“Absolutely delicious food, ready in much less time than I expected, and had food that I could safely eat with a cow milk allergy, and didn't blink for a sec at us masking. If timing on our trip had worked out we would've absolutely come back and gotten more of the delicious dumplings.
Highly recommending this tasty spot!

N/a rating for atmosphere as we were getting takeout.

Vegetarian options: There are a few veggie options. Veggie lo mein was hot, greasy, and delicious.

Dietary restrictions: No ingredients listed on this place's menu, but I selected nothing that typically contains what I'm allergic to.

Wheelchair accessibility: Not a wheelchair user myself, but the shop doesn't have a step up. Counter is high though.“

“Everything was great about our dinner and experience!! The atmosphere sitting outside and having dinner was fantastic! Our server was great!! Personable, friendly, knowledgeable and not intrusive, just the way it should be! Had a nice chat with her! Our drinks were delicious and the dessert was a perfect treat. Would really love to return here again soon!!“

“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!“

“Always amazing food! We love the owners!“

“Good beer great atmosphere“

“Chamard never dissapoints. Excellent service, great food and beautiful landscape to look out over. The wine is on par with some of the best ones we've ve had and leaving with several bottles is how we impress our friends. Thank you for a wonderful Sunday brunch.“

“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.“

“Always fast service & a great breakfast!“

“Love it so very much. Food is excellent“

“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!“

“07.26.25 *WRITTEN REVIEW Big Al’s Reel Reviews – EP.143 Sapore Pizzeria Town of Old Lyme, CT This morning, I dropped a post asking if any restaurants wanted to invite Big Al’s Reel Reviews to their spot—and guess who hit me up? Sapore Pizzeria in Old Lyme. So I pulled up—and let me tell you right now… this one felt special the minute I walked through that door. The welcome? Warm. The vibe? Bustling. The atmosphere? Absolutely amazing—families dining, good conversation, and a team that made me feel like I’d been coming there for years. My server, Sarah, was top notch—attentive, kind, and on point from the jump. The owners were there as well, and you could feel the pride in the place. Turns out, the owner is originally from Naples, Italy and used to work for Illiano’s before opening this place six years ago. That Naples-to-Old-Lyme pizza lineage is real. And then something beautiful happened… A true B.A.R.R.fan—Troy Gaston—saw I was at Sapore and drove over just to show love. So I invited him to sit down and have dinner with me. That’s what this is all about: community, connection, and real support from real people. Troy’s a solid dude and a subscriber, and I appreciated him being part of this experience. Here’s what I ordered: 1. Meatballs in Vodka Sauce – $11 Served with toasted ciabatta. These were tender and flavorful, and the vodka sauce was creamy and smooth. A perfect starter. 💣 2. New York-Style Cheese Pizza (17”) – $20.50 This right here was the star of the show. Thin, crispy, cheesy, and cooked just right. I gave this a DOUBLE 💣💣 — one of the best I’ve had on the shoreline. 3. Chicken Parmigiana Bolognese – $24 Served over penne pasta with rich, meaty bolognese. This was another 💣. Classic flavor, hearty sauce, and that perfect comfort-food bite. And then… out came a complimentary tiramisu—a gift from the kitchen. That kind of gesture speaks volumes. The tiramisu was absolutely delicious, a smooth and sweet way to end an already dope meal. The food was fire. The service was flawless. The atmosphere was family-friendly and full of good energy. And the fact that they reached out and invited me in? That means something. Especially after what happened yesterday. Sapore didn’t just pass the test— They’re officially a Big Al’s 💎 Gem Spot. It’s worth checking out—and if you go, make sure you tell ‘em, Big Al sent you! ☝🏾❤️ - Big Al Mayo “See you on the Rebound, Peace✌🏾out”“

“excellent beer in a good variety, wonderful small pub atmosphere many other breweries fail at, some of the best bartenders I've ever encountered. plenty of to-go options, dog friendly, great events.“

“Great place. we love everything about it. food, service and eating in. try everything, it's worth it.“

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

“This was hands down the best meal my husband and I have had in years of dining! The food was fresh and full of flavor. Our server, Lauren, was lovely and we were even brought a flute of champagne for our anniversary that we were not expecting.....a thoughtful touch. The restaurant was full so the noise level was a bit high, but the food and service more than made up for that. We would highly recommend this wonderful establishment and will be coming back again soon.“

“We've been dining at Cafe Routier ever since they first opened. We are huge fans and always enjoy our dinners there. The food is incredible and the menu changes with the seasons, but they keep their tried and true dishes year round. We also enjoy that the waitstaff doesn't fluctuate much at all and are very professional. If you haven't been, you need to go!“

“There needs to be a 100 star option on Google. This place is SO GOOD!!!
We came back a second day and if we're in the area longer, we would be back every day!
Small breakfast café where you can watch the cook make your meal on the other side of the counter. Everything is made to order and there is a ton to choose from. Based on what we saw, you can't go wrong! Everything was absolutely delicious, our kid even scraped his plate! The best breakfast out we've ever had.“

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

“My wife & I have been enjoying MANY weekday meals at TJ'S for more than several years. And I can honestly say that we have, not only enjoyed the food we ordered, but, more importantly, the caring and attentive staff that we have dealt with over those years. We could more highly recommend this restaurant as a place for you to enjoy a good meal!!“

“Fantastic pizza! I'm pretty picky with pizza..I was impressed. service was great too! 👍🏼“

“Otter Cove Restaurant is one of our go to restaurants here in town. The atmosphere is really really nice with a large dining area or a smaller more intimate bar area. And it is spotless!!!! The staff is professional and friendly*****
The food is excellent. Great choices and fairly reasonable for our taste. I often get the OC salad with a side of chicken or shrimp. One of my fav salads by far- just a great combination of apples, salad, etc. it’s large so I always bring half home. My husband goes for the salmon with their sides- always plenty of food.
You will not be disappointed.“

“Amazing Greek food! Best Vodka sauce ever!“

“The food is freshly made and excellent quality. We celebrated my boyfriend’s birthday there last night and the staff surprised him with delicious ice cream! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. We have been there many times before and ordered many different meals, all excellent!“

“The best place in Coastal Connecticut“

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

“It’s our go to place for a great start to our weekends!! The owner is wonderful and her staff is amazing.“

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

“? GET A BURRITO ?Alright, here’s the deal. I’m a gigantic shill for DRP, all my friends know it. Something about their pizza does it for me, favorite style, super well done for that particular style, and it’s relatively affordable.I also love their subs, all of them. Shout out to the steak bomb and the TKO (chicken bacon ranch, honey mustard, mozzarella).They’re quick, the people are always SUPER SUPER SUPER friendly, and food comes out hot.But here’s the deal… they need a rebrand.I’ve seen burritos on the menu there for years and never thought to get one. With that said, nothing about this place screams “Greek” to me besides the font on the menu and the Ακρόπολις on the logo (alright maybe a few of the specialty pizzas - moussaka and town hall, I see you. Gyros, ολα εν ταξη, relax.)Tonight I finally did it, I got the carne asada burrito that they had on special and it blew my socks off. For $12 (market rate for the area IMO) you get a huge burrito, wrapped and easy to eat, no dripping, they grilled it, tons of steak and avocado. Man oh man, it hit the spot and I’m just so happy I could cry.Deep River Pizza Mexican. I don’t know if anyone that works there is Mexican, I don’t know if burritos are inherently Mexican, I don’t know what I don’t know and I want to be better.What I do know is that people need to know about this.Chester, Deep River, Essex is grossly devoid of a Mexican spot that’s open late BUT this is at least maybe Mexican adjacent and open late enough for me (9 pm weekdays, 10pm weekends).Get down to Deep River Pizza (Mexican?) and get yourself a burrito. You’re going to be mad that nobody told you to do it before.I am thrilled.?

Parking: Learn to parallel park in beautiful Deep River!

Kid-friendliness: Bring your kids, it’s a casual pizza place.

Wheelchair accessibility: Once you get on the sidewalk, which is accessible, the door is flush.“

“That was tasty! We got the vegetable and chicken platter, side of meatballs, and eggplant parm entree and the portions were big and easily shareable. Loved the tomato sauce! The prices were very fair and the bread was fresh that came with the meal. Food came out fast, hot and fresh. Thank you for providing crayons and paper for our toddler!“

“33 Years in the same place, same staff, they must be doing something right, Great prices on excellent food. I've read the reviews from people that have given it 1 star. These must be people that can only accept 5 star service, and everything else is 1 star. I understand some of the things you complained about, and maybe you did have a valid point, but 1 star, and to imply that the waitress was suffering from dementia, come on, grow up. If you made reasonable criticisms, and rated fairly, people would take you seriously, but you just make yourselves look mean and vindictive. All over an undercooked omelette, etc.“

“I had the bison burger with sweet potato fries. The dipping sauce for the fries was amazing. My server Jackie was great about never letting our glasses become empty and making sure to help out with my daughter’s allergies!“

“Great service and food! A lovely atmosphere and attentive staff.“

“Always a great experience if you’re dinning in or having takeout. Highly recommended!“

“great place to meet up with others“

“I have been going here for at least 11 years. The food never disappoints. I love the daily specials and holiday special orders. Fresh and delicious. The bakery is excellent, the cookies are irresistible. Quaint gourmet sandwich, coffee, and gift shop in downtown Chester. Highly recommend, outdoor seating. Always friendly service.“

“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!!!“

“Five professional motor cycle riders who eat in a lot of food at different stops were very satisfied. Great prices/ great quality/ good quantity/fast service/ great waitress/ clean modern seating and restrooms/ ample free parking. Its now on our favorite list. Thank you for serving us so well!!“

“We were going to a show at Ivoryton playhouse (excellent) so found this very nice local restaurant! Server was excellent explained the menu clearly and we decided to have a spinach omelet delicious , home fries were fantastic. Portions were large.i had steak and eggs Steak was cooked just like I ordered ! Biggest problem was which homemade muffins to take with us to hotel. They all looked delicious and they were. Definitely coming back at the end of October Don’t miss this gem“

“Delicious beautiful place“

“Ordered and paid online and they delivered free and quickly right outside my door. The man who delivered was so friendly. Food was delicious. I highly recommend supporting this local restaurant 🙂“

“I been coming here for 2 years, absolutely the best Chinese food !“

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

“Love the Deck and LOVE the fact they pay attention to not serving those under age. More establishments need to be aware of this and enforce it! The Deck is a wonderful place! Great bartenders, great service, great food, and great overall atmosphere. Other patrons are always friendly and just there to enjoy themselves and have a good time! Definitely recommend this place if you are looking for a laid back place to enjoy a drink. Plenty of space to move about and plenty of parking as well!“

“Delicious burgers and excellent service! My favorites are the Brie and the fungi. Highly recommend.“

“fantastic food!! fantastic staff, and owners. it is the best place to stop for great food in a mom & pop restaurant Thank You guys 😎“

“Amazing service from the moment I walked through the doors. I had a table of 7 booked for my birthday meal and couldn’t have wished for better service! Food was amazing as always and the atmosphere was great! 😊 Thank you little pub!“

“1st time here and wow was everything from the appetizer to the main course top notch dining.“