50 Best Vegan Restaurants near Lake Forest

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“God bless Egg Harbor Cafe and all personal, The best service“

“Never judge a book by its cover. When I arrived, the empty parking lot and the restaurant being inside a hotel initially raised red flags. However, with limited options and an open mind, I decided to give it a try—and was blown away. The cuisine and customer service were exceptional! They even fresh squeezed lemonade for me!

Oaken Bar + Bistro: A Taste of Elegance in Every Bite

Beef Tenderloin Empanadas
The empanadas set the tone with their flaky crust and tender, perfectly seasoned beef filling. Accompanied by vibrant chimichurri and a zesty lemon tomato sauce, this starter balances richness and brightness with precision. Each bite feels indulgent yet fresh, leaving you eager for more.

Oaken Salad
This salad takes simplicity to an elevated level. A mix of fresh greens pairs unexpectedly well with juicy orange segments and velvety whipped ricotta. The lavender vanilla vinaigrette adds a subtle floral sweetness, tying the dish together beautifully. A sourdough crostini provides the perfect crunch, making this a standout plate for anyone craving a sophisticated yet light option.

Atlantic Salmon
A dish that seamlessly combines comforting and refined elements. The salmon, cooked to perfection, sits atop a silky potato purée that practically melts on the tongue. Earthy wild mushrooms add depth, while the buerre rouge sauce lends a rich, tangy finish. Every element works in harmony, creating a dish that’s both comforting and memorable.

And of course, my signature cappuccino…

Oaken Bar + Bistro shows its mastery in weaving together thoughtful ingredients with elevated techniques, making each plate a well-orchestrated delight.

Here’s a bit about the venue:
Oaken Bistro + Bar is a modern, upscale American bistro located in Lake Forest, Illinois. It offers all-day dining with a menu that blends elevated American classics, such as burgers and salads, with globally influenced dishes like Beef Tenderloin Empanadas and the Cubano sandwich.

The restaurant features a sleek lounge serving craft cocktails, including signature herbal-infused options, alongside an eclectic wine list and local beers. Guests can enjoy their meals in a contemporary dining room, a 25-seat outdoor patio, or opt for take-out and delivery services.

Executive Chef Christian Alejandro leads the culinary team, offering a diverse American menu with international influences from Latin America, Italy, and Creole cuisines. Chef Alejandro was recently inducted into the Disciples Escoffier organization, highlighting his culinary expertise.“

“The experience was great and I look forward to doing the cleanse tomorrow. The only complaint is that the cashier and I forgot to talk about the post cleanse meals suggestions that are mentioned on the website. If you try the juice cleanse, don’t forget the post meals recommendations.“

“Delicious, totally vegan food made by the nicest people you could ever meet. My partner and I loved the whole experience. The food was so fresh and yummy, and my partner said the tacos were perfect! Truly the sweetest staff too! Stop in here -- you won't regret it!“

“One word describes Spirit Elephant… OUTSTANDING! We travel close to an hour and a half to enjoy the best vegan food options for our daughter’s special occasions! My only suggestion- open a second location closer to Yorkville! 😉“

“We had an awesome girls afternoon out with some great drinks and an awesome server than was full of suggestions and fun entertainment. Jorge G did a great job!“

“New to the area and my husband recommended i try this little gem out. I loved the location, the food was delicious and I love the organic, vegan, plant based ingredients for all of their food and drinks. 10/10 for sure! Will definitely be back soon.“

“This was my first time trying this place, and it’s like Chipotle but with a Korean twist.

It’s refreshing to have a spot where the food is fresh and served quickly. The staff is super friendly.

Definitely a must-try!“

“Absolutely Impressed at the taste, friendliness, & cleanliness of this restaurant. This was my first time trying mediterranean food but have to say Im absolutely impressed at the balance of all the ingredients and spices coming together to form such a beautiful pallet of light but flavorful aroma and taste NOT led by salt as many restaurants do, but then again Im not sure if that is exclusive to mediterranean. Entering the restaurant and being GENUINELY greeted so kindly was refreshing in this day & age. The lemon water with ice was such a tasteful touch to the experience that made me GLAD to dine in instead of take out that night, & influenced me to dine in after I came back the day after. Yes, It was that good I had to come back the day after. I ordered the chicken & beef shawarma not knowing what to expect. Im hispanic so when it arrived, seeing the pita cut up into triangle pieces, seeing the seasoned rice, juicy beef, chicken and grilled vegetables, I knew what had to be done and did exactly that by instinct. There is no understatement and even less exaggeration when I state that I will quite literally never forget my first bite of that pita with grilled vegetables, beef, chicken, rice, tajini & gyro sauce. The following sip of that lemon infused water quite literally cleansed my pallet and let me savor the following forkful of that yellow rice and grilled vegetables I just HAD to try on its own. The 3 sauces given to me during my time there gave the restaurant and its food a sense of solidarity, like It was almost a sin to eat without them. The server then gave me a small square of baklava to try near the end of my meal and I fell in love with this spot even more. Restaurants really don't do it like this anymore, and Im glad to have found a spot that still cares & provides to their customers at this caliber. Will be returning with the family for sure, fan of this place at first bite. Oh, I forgot to mention, I paid $15.01 for this experience, that should be more than enough convincing if you are on the fence about visiting here!“

“this place was great the service and the food 👌“

“Really good food with wonderful waitstaff. #iraeats“

“Amazing service ! Bar tender Jimmy was absolutely great. My boyfriend and I stopped by for a quick drink and soup before the movies and had a Good time thanks to him!“

“Just stopped in for an early lunch, the food was delicious. The staff was friendly and the place was super clean. It will be our new favorite place for a quick fresh meal.“

“I strongly recommend them, the food is good I'll come for more“

“Food was very good. Server was pleasant and available whenever we needed. Very nice atmosphere. Beer selection is fantastic.“

“Amazing food! Great service! Lovveedddd the street corn in a bowl!“

“This is a total hidden jewel. Family owned and absolutely delicious. Highly recommend this place for both lunch and dinner 🖤🖤🖤“

“The best authentic dumplings around. Very friendly staff and home-y environment“

“Great food and great service…. The surf and turf burrito was awesome!!!!“

“Food was excellent as always and our server Moses made it extra special. Always one of my favorites!“

“Such great food! Love the Cup Bap with clear noodles and spicy pork. Yum!!“

“Love the New owner Jay. The food - that includes vegetarian as well as non- veg delicious. Authentic & portions were large. Go with your family, carry out - all good. Jay treats us like family. I see him stopping at all the tables ensuring their dining experience is enjoyable.“

“This Place _Was_ Great.

The cooking here has seriously degraded in quality since 2022. Talk about flavorless! It wasn't that way just a little bit ago.

Service is still great but tipping 25% is loopy.

The place is clean and, other than for the poor cooking, well operated. Parking is still rough on weekends.“

“First time at Kuma's Sushi Bowl yesterday...1) Wife went there for lunch. 2) I stole some of the wife's bowl. 3) We both went back to grab two bowls for dinner, partly to pay her back for her lunch. And, I'd like to add that it's not very close from us. Great, fresh and delicious sushi bowls. Worth upsetting your significant other for!“

“Absolutely love this restaurant. We had brought a tray of lasagna to a party years ago and had nothing but rave reviews. We moved down to FL 7 years ago so it’s been awhile since we have been able to eat here. We bought another tray of lasagna this weekend for a party. Let me tell you…it was so delicious! We are still hearing people rave about it and hope it brings new customers your way. Your GF ravioli was awesome as well. Great food, wonderful customer service, cute restaurant. Now we just need a location opened in SWFL! We will be back and we will always highly recommend this place. Thank you!“

“Tasty Food, welcoming staff, Relaxing environment“

“Food was absolutely delicious!! Highly recommend!!“

“Modern decor, great service, excellent meal. Nice couples place. Not sure what to get? Our server gave us great recommendations. Will be back.“

“Impeccable food, and some of the best service we’ve had in a very long time. We were looking for a sushi place to kill time while waiting for our kid and this far exceeded our expectations. What a gem! The food is amazing and the service is just so good we couldn’t believe it. They’re all so nice!“

“great menu, so refreshing to find delicious alternatives to burgers and hot dogs.“

“It was an amazing experience. Service and food just perfect… gracias por una experiencia tan grata.“

“First time eating at Greenwood. The food was very good. We ordered calamari, which tasted unique in a good way, with the chopped marinated veggies. The beef filet was melt in your mouth tender. The only complaint is it was too salty. Brussels sprouts were also delicious.

The old fashion and manhattan were well made. It was a nice touch that the waiter asked us what bourbon or whiskey we wanted them made with.

We reserved in the dining room and the hostess could not find our reservation. We offered to show it to her, and she said no need , then put us at the very corner of the patio which was noisy, with uncomfortable chairs. For the first 15 min there was no one on the patio of in the restaurant. We couldn’t hear each other over the street traffic.

It was nice to be able to valet.“

“I grew up in Brunei and their food is the closest i have felt to home. I ordered the Nasi Lemak, kuih lapis and roti paratha.“

“Went here a couple times while in town for work. Some of the best food I have had in a long time!! Best pretzel I think I’ve ever had. Will be back if in town!!“

“Had a great dinner here before our concert at Ravinia. Our server, Tobyn, was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. We had the Roasted Beets with goat cheese fritters, the Rigatoni, and the Eggplant Flatbread. It was all delicious!! And what a fun winelist.“

“Nicko! Nicko did an amazing job! He was the only one waiting tables at a pretty busy time and did an amazing job taking care of everyone! Food was very good and came out quickly! The tiramisu was more or a tiramisu cake but was still delicious!“

“in my first time recent visit it was beautiful inside and felt like fresh air its really a peaceful vibe, i ordered the chickpea wrap and loved it definitely a spot to enjoy“

“I haven't gone to eat in the restaurant yet but we have ordered several times and the food is so good. Definitely would recommend!“

“Tasty food and this guy is so nice!! The soup is so so good. And the Jerusalem salad. Love the canned juices in the cooler! Huge cans of 100% juice in flavors we can't get elsewhere like passion fruit & watermelon. Generous portions, casual atmosphere. Appreciate the padding on the chairs. It's a relaxing place to eat. My family says the food is "amazing" "pita and hummus and shawarma are quite good.". We'll be back.“

“We catered an event recently from the Picnic Basket and it was perfect! Lots of compliments on the food and the delivery was on time and very helpful!“

“One of the best places I've eaten from in a good while. The servers were very attentive. Management came out to check on us, which always nice to see. It was our first time here and it seemed very family friendly. There is outside seating! The food was pretty good. I was there on a double date and everyone enjoyed themselves. We will definitely be back.

Vegetarian options: They serve a fresh fruit option.“

“We had a wonderful dinner at Prairie Grass Cafe. The spring rolls were loaded with delicious perfectly cooked shrimp and the accompanying sauce (sweet chili with garlic and cilantro) plays nicely with them. The flounder with roasted carrots and parsnip-potato purée was as delicious as it looks. It was generously portioned and beautifully plated. We also enjoyed the mussels with parsley, shallots, and breadcrumbs pasta. My husband is Sicilian and it reminded us of the pasta con le sarde that we love to have in Sicily. The mussels were plump and delicious. The wine list is very nice. We found wines we really enjoyed and they were reasonably priced. We enjoyed the Attems, Pinot Grigio, Friuli, Italy ‘22 with our mussels and flounder, and the Fritz Haag, Riesling, Germany ‘21 with our pumpkin pie for dessert. Service was perfect.“

“Delicioso todo! súper recomendado Felicidades!!!“

“Excellent food and service with never having your water empty to offering more napkins and large portions. Thanks again and we will be back and going to try a lunch option next visit.“

“Pleasantly surprised by the ambiance, food and service. I had the poke bowl which was awesome, but my favorite item was the crab rangoon. They were made like pastries (instead of the crunchy cream cheese style ones) and were phenomenal. I'd highly recommend trying them out for yourself.“

“We went to Washington Garden’s last night with friends hoping to enjoy some good Italian food. The food was delicious! The portions were large and the waitress couldn’t have been nicer. We will be returning soon. 🥰👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“We were visiting from out of town and were fortunate to find this lovely place to have a Mother's Day breakfast. The food was phenomenal as was the service. They were very busy but you would have never known it by the attentiveness and smiles from the staff. The flower they gave to all of the moms was a beautiful touch. I am a little sad I didn't go back before we left to bring food home with us. We will definitely be back the next time we visit the area and I will have a cooler ready to take some of the delicious food back with us. Thank you for making Mother's day so special!!“

“Great food and great service!“