50 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Lake Forest

“Excellent food and friendly staff with great prices!“

“This restaurant has been a longtime favorite for our friends and family, especially when we’re craving sushi! 🍣❤ The interior has been expanded several times, so there’s plenty of comfortable seating, although it was completely packed when we visited on a Saturday night. Everything we ordered was consistently delicious, from the spicy kinoko, buta kimchi, ika butter, and karaage to the must-try carpaccio. 😋 The sushi and sashimi are always incredibly fresh! What really makes this place special is the loyal staff-many sushi bar and kitchen employees have been here since the early days, which gives the food a truly authentic and consistent taste. Annie at the front is always so warm and welcoming, making every visit feel like dinner at a relative’s home. 🥰🍱✨“

“Not only was this location able to time a delivery to accommodate a train’s brief stop at the Metra station, the pizza seemed to have come right out of the oven. Fantastic food and service to match!“

“Great food. awesome customer service.“

“Very good fresh Mexican food. The usual menu choices were offered along with a few specials. My drink was strong, friends margaritas were pricey for the size but ok. Their chips and salsa were nothing special. We enjoyed the fried calamari but the sauce was a bit odd and we would’ve enjoyed a cocktail sauce more. The empanadas were tasty but I wasn’t sure there was actually any beef inside. \n\nMy chicken fajitas were very good but could’ve used a bit more flavor. The chicken, peppers and onions were grilled just right. The beef tacos were a hit as well as the taco special. Beef fajitas were so so. \n\nService was excellent but the room was very loud and made it hard to converse. Eating outside might be nicer! I’d return.“

“Another amazing experience at Le Colonial. The best food, great service and the ambiance is the best in town. Can’t wait until our next visit.“

“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!“

“Awesome food with great service! This isn’t some chain where you're just another number. Come here and they'll learn your name, treat you like family, and make sure you're full of delicious food! Can't wait to go back next week. I recommend the beryani (not spicy), hummus, and dolmas.“

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

“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.“

“I can't say enough good things about this restaurant! They went above and beyond to take care of my veteran fiancé for Veterans Day, (even though we were a day late in being able to visit), taking care of us like family, from the regional director to all the restaurant staff. The food was terrific and my fiancé loved everything; the food, the staff, and the military/first responders decor, and the respect given to veterans. They even put his picture from his Army service days on their wall, which gave him a huge smile when he saw himself displayed on their wall along with photos of so many other veterans. And even though we don't live nearby, we will make it a point to visit them every time we get the chance to. Thanks again to everyone there!!“

“We were in Chicago for a visit from Texas and I decided I was really craving dumplings. I googled dumplings and Dangelas popped up. Reviews were amazing so we put it in the GPS and off we went. We arrived 30 minutes before closing but it didn’t matter. The best dumplings I’ve ever had. I wish I didn’t live so far away because I would be there at least once a week!“

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

“Excellent food .Meat are tender and juicy.Pork belly taste like Philippine liempo.The macaroni salad is pretty good.👍“

“Always been sweet but now they are selling buds the old fashion way.....you get to open jar and smell if the sheet is any good .....let me tell ya about this purple grape stuff I got to day....
Oh I'll let ya know when I come down..
This place rocks and sells nugs... And the guys are always fricken cool......
.see ya there“

“Really good Italian food and ambiance!“

“Simply AMAZING! Ochoa’s is easily one of the best Mexican restaurants in the area. We recently used them for catering (25 people), and everything exceeded our expectations. Communication was top-notch, portions were huge, and the food was incredible. Guests couldn’t stop talking about the juicy chicken and steak, the homemade chips and salsas, and guacamole that could honestly be eaten by the spoonful. Mr. Ochoa truly takes pride in his food — you can taste the love in every bite. Highly recommend for both dining in and catering!“

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

“Great food , charming atmosphere . Excellent service from Anna“

“First time and definitely NOT our last. The spot was hopping and we could see why! The staff was warm and welcoming and gave us great recommendations. I think I left my fork spinning on the plate. Best BBQ I have had in ages! And meeting Big Ed was the topper! Came out making sure everyone was enjoying. THAT is top class and for sure demonstrates how the Chef stands behind his food, brand and name. 11/10 on everything! Thank you!!!“

“Sunwish is one of the best Mediterranean restaurants I’ve visited! The food is incredibly fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Every dish tasted authentic, and the portions were generous. The restaurant was clean, the atmosphere was warm, and the service was excellent from start to finish. I highly recommend Sunwish to anyone looking for delicious Mediterranean food.“

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

“great food, friendly staff, excellent customer service“

“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!“

“Food is always great and their service is amazing. They have an extensive menu with everything from great appetizers to traditional Japanese desserts. Good selection of drinks both regular and adult. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and service. You can depend on having a great experience!“

“Great, authentic Italian cuisine. Never disappoints.“

“Vegetarians can relax and order anything off the menu – – everything will be delicious and beautifully presented. The mocktails are much appreciated with their inventive flavors and the entire environment is lovely and soothing. We had a party of seven and everyone went home happy except my giant Nebraska-raised meat-loving husband who was simply content. Well, you can’t please all the people all the time, but you sure as heck are pleasing this vegetarian who is so so tired of steak restaurant after steak restaurant where I’m desperately seeking the sides menu for something to nibble on. Now this review seems to have turned into an analysis of a modern marriage, but that’s OK because we all got to eat, right? And it’s so nice to find fellow meat avoiders on the North Shore. Keep up the great work, Spirit Elephant! We’ll be back for Mother’s Day.“

“Kathia and Ryan were so kind! While Ryan prepped my morning crepe, he shared their story as a couple and later as business partners, starting off with selling crepes from their porch to neighbors. Not only was the crepe delicious (especially the homemade whipped cream), but they prepared it with such a generous attention to hospitality. I only wish I’d started coming by the farmer’s market sooner this year.“

“So glad I tried and continue to enjoy Maria’s Italian Bakery and Cafe! This authentic spot offers wonderful service and excellent quality menu items— highly recommend!“

“Van’s is my new sushi spot for ordering! Can’t wait to actually step inside one day lol but their shrimp tempura is by far my most favorite item!!!!! Everything is delicious.“

“Last place I know of that still makes everything from scratch. You can totally taste the difference. I have never eaten hash browns that are this “potato” fresh- not ever. And if you choose the “fresh fruit” option, it seems like they literally just sliced it up before they put it on your plate. I have never gotten fruit here that is dehydrated on the edges like you get at a lot of restaurants where you can tell it’s been sitting “cut up” for a long time waiting to be plopped on a plate. I know that’s considered normal prep work for most kitchens but i’m convinced this place must slice at the moment before they serve it because it’s still juicy you can just tell it’s just been cut.“

“Amazing Enchiladas at Wilmette location! Beautiful outdoor seating. 👍🏻“

“Love it!!!, the food and service was amazing. Would go for it again. 10/10!“

“Guacamole was good The shrimp tamale was good The service was good The churo could have been softer and fresher…… I will be back when in the area.“

“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!“

“Great atmosphere and Taylor always takes care of her customers!“

“Food is always good as usual“

“Louie's is the best place to eat in Waukegan. Great Italian food, thin crust pizza, fried chicken and fish. Everything is great. They give you the best bread hot from the oven when you sit down. Huge bar. Family friendly. You can't go wrong at this place.“

“After a couple of years away following an uneven prior experience, a recent return to Bottaio with friends proved both reassuring and mildly frustrating. The dining room remains one of the restaurant’s strongest assets: warm, attractive, and inviting in a way that signals classic Italian comfort. Unfortunately, that promise is undercut by one persistent flaw—seating that is simply uncomfortable. After fifteen minutes, the chairs distract from the experience, an avoidable misstep in a restaurant that otherwise understands ambiance. Service, by contrast, was a highlight. Our server struck an engaging balance between edgy and personable, and—most importantly—demonstrated genuine knowledge of the menu and wine list. Wine selections, guided by their recommendations, were uniformly well received by the table, showing thoughtful pairing and sound judgment. The meal began on a high note with excellent crusty bread, a simple but well-executed opening gesture that set expectations optimistically. The entrées, however, struggled to rise beyond adequacy. While none were poor, they failed to deliver the refinement or depth one hopes for. The veal parmigiana arrived in an impressively large portion but was overly breaded, sacrificing balance and nuance. In contrast, the risotto stood out as the best dish of the evening—properly executed, flavorful, and satisfying. Other diners echoed a similar sentiment: the food was good, but never quite great. This mirrors past experiences and suggests a recurring issue rather than an off night. Bottaio remains a solid option for casual Italian dining, particularly for those who value ambiance, wine, and congenial service. With greater attention to detail in the kitchen—and a renewed focus on authenticity and precision—the restaurant has the potential to elevate its culinary standing meaningfully. One hopes that future visits will see that promise more fully realized.“

“There is a home flavored taste to all the dishes. Very home style foods every time. very spacious atmosphere inside or outside .“

“First time in 10 years since I haven’t had Dennys in general. As my return. Good customer service, staff are pleasant, The Triple Burger is delicious. Highland Park is very safe and I will be coming back!“

“Excellent food , service and atmosphere at reasonable prices , lots of choices on menu and and large selection of pastries and cakes which you can take home .“

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

“I would go here again and again. Food quality is excellent. What can I say about NICK the manager. Outstanding manager. He listens to customer. Make sure we leave place very happy. If you complain about food, he will replace immediately without any questions asked. He makes sure that all the customers are very happy. We order a corn soup, my wife thought it was not spiced up enough. She asked waiter to spiced up. Manager came and told her that this is the way it comes and cannot spice up. He replaced her with another type of soup and did not even charge us for that. Great place to go for diner with family and friends.“

“Great Food! Great Service! Always a Favorite❤️“

“This is for delivery. Pizza is all about what one prefers and or grew up on. We prefer New Haven.
This is the best we have found on the North Shore. Thin crust cooked perfectly. The food traveled well (Door Dash). A generous amount of toppings, very good sauce. Will have again.“

“Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe has got to hands down be the best food I have had in my 32 years of life. We just got home from a girls trip for my daughter's golden birthday in Chicago this past weekend and I'm ready to hit the road to go back. She ordered the kids Oreo s'mores pancakes of the kid menu. I got the 2 eggs meal which came with 2 eggs, hash browns, choice of meat (got sausage links) and either toast or pancakes. I chose toast. We then ordered her 2 dippy eggs, a side of biscuits and gravy, and got a side of bacon to share. The biscuits and gravy are hands down top tier the best recipe I have ever tasted (I ended up ordering 2 more sides to take home so I would have breakfast tomorrow 🤤). Even after stuffing ourselves with this delicious food none of our group felt miserable in any way. there was no belly discomfort whatsoever. We just felt full and nourished. I will be coming back as often as I can. The food is so hot, so fresh, so flavorful, and overall it was a wonderful experience. Everybody was so friendly , smiley, and just warm personalities. There is quite a wait on Sundays (not sure about other days) but I would wait 4 hours if they told me I had to. They do have an option where you can get on the waiting list online (we did not know that since this was out first time). Now let's talk about their preserves they make in house 🫠🫠 they make a triple berry compote with blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries. It was literal heaven. They sell jars as you are leaving for $11. Guys you have to try this place. I'm not usually someone who leaves reviews but it's so good I can't not leave one. If you want the best brunch food you have ever had in your life I can promise you you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED. Until next time wildberry keep doing what you guys do!“

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

“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.“