Make Waves for Animals This Summer at These Vegan-Friendly Beach Towns
When on vacation, choosing a place to go out for dinner can be a chore, but PETA’s handy list of the most vegan-friendly beach towns in the U.S. is shore to make it as easy as a beachy breeze. Read on to find out if your favorite boardwalk city made the list.
Which locations made PETA’s list of the Top Vegan-Friendly Beach Towns?
San Diego, California
Sunny San Diego is home to many fully vegan eateries. Some of the most tempting dishes include the Bacon Banh Mi from Loving Hut, the Blackened Tempeh Caesar Wrap from Café Gratitude, the savory Lasagna Verde from Donna Jean, the sweet and spicy Magical Mango Curry Wrap from Peace Pies, the classic Reuben on Rye from Veggie Grill, and the crispy CHIX-FIL-GAY from The Radical Beet.
West Palm Beach, Florida
If you’re looking for some fish-friendly seafood in West Palm Beach, try Darbster’s Eggplant Scallops or the Avocado Lime Tartate from PLANTA. For a hardier, cheesier meal, check out the creamy Buffalo Shicken Mac and Cheese from La Chia Vegana or the empanadas from Nombucket.
Charleston, South Carolina
The charming cobblestone streets lined with pastel antebellum homes in Charleston complement the wide array of 21st century vegan restaurants perfectly. For a delicious lunch, try the Chick’n and Waffles from Annie O’ Love’s Cookie Cafe with a slice of its vegan cheesecake for dessert. For a hearty meal after a day of swimming at the shore, the Bulgogi Korean Bowl from Gnome Café, and the Panang Curry from the Gathering Cafe all seem delightfully filling. After the sun has set, head over to Neon Tiger, the late-night vegan hotspot, and order a plate of the Trumpet Mushroom Calamari.
Santa Cruz, California
Start the day with the Mexican Breakfast Plate—beans and rice topped with spicy cashew queso, salsa, pumpkin seeds, and avocado—from Café G SC. For lunch, the Shiitake Súyà Bowl from Veg on the Edge, the Mt. Diablo pizza from Pizza My Heart, and the Spicy Kimchi Noodle Soup from Monster Pot all look delicious.
Atlantic City, New Jersey
In between the boardwalk strolls and rounds of blackjack, order some not-so-fishy soul- and seafood, like the Crab Cake Sandwich from Vegans Are Us and the Vegan of the Sea Poke Bowl from Poke Bowl Tropical Café. Italian food dominates at dinnertime in Atlantic City, and the Eggplant Caponata from Angeline at the Borgata Hotel Casino as well as the OG Vegan Pizza from Tony Boloney’s might fool you into thinking you’re in Italy.
Nags Head, North Carolina
Start your day with the Vegan Pancakes from Freshfit Cafe, which come in a delectable array of flavors: espresso, banana, blueberry, dark chocolate, peanut butter, and plain. If your sweet tooth doesn’t kick in until later in the day, Waveriders Coffee Deli Pub offers a more savory start with its Avocado Toast with vegan cashew spread. After a day of lounging in the sand or frolicking in the sea, cool off with the South Beach Tacos from South Beach Takeout, Catering & Delivery or order a vegan cheese pizza from Village Pizza of Nags Head.
Long Beach, New York
Fermento—the only fully vegan restaurant in this beach town—offers a variety of coffee drinks, rich breakfast foods, falafels, burritos, and classic American sandwiches, like the Roasted Maple Ham and Cheese Sandwich. Many tasty vegan dishes are on other local menus, too, like Vegan Tacos from The Cabana, A Dang Quessa Dilla from Blacksmith’s Breads, and the Vegan Linguine Bologense, Chicken Parm Pie, and Kung Pao Cauliflower from Brixx and Barley.
Grand Haven, Michigan
There are several grand vegan options in this beach town, like the Blue Majik Cashew Mylk from Bodhi Tree Juice Co. and the ooey-gooey cheese in the Rustic Roots’ Vegan Quesadilla. For a casual finger food, try the Vegan Sloppy Joe Burrito from Righteous Cuisine, the Half Smart Alec from The Toasted Pickle, or The Rhinestone Cowboy sandwich from Electric Hero.
Galveston, Texas
With the Surf N’ Turf Burrito from Vegan Gxng, Thai Garlic Noodles from Mosquito Café, Old Moon Deli & Pies’ Vegan Island Dawg, or a warm cup of minestrone soup from Russo’s New York Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, you can end your beach day with your favorite type of cuisine—Galveston has it all! For dessert, grab a slice of Lemon Bundt Cake from Eatcetera.
Newport and Middletown, Rhode Island
To get your morning off to a smooth start, grab a Born Redy smoothie and Coconut Bacon BLT from Root. To home in on the boardwalk aesthetic, stop by Wally’s Wieners and order the Veggie—a vegan hotdog topped with grilled onions, peppers, ketchup, and mustard, but skip the roll, as it is buttered. For a more formal dining experience, have a seat at Humming Bird. The Red Bean Stew—a hearty serving of dumplings in a delectable ginger, red bean, and coconut stew—will keep you satisfied.
As you enter Middletown, Newport’s neighboring town, stop by The Power of Juice for a Beetox Juice-Pulp Muffin. You can capitalize on the beach town vibes with Chili Cheese Fries from Plant City X, or veg out at Sprout and Lentil with the V-Rex black bean burger topped with melted V-Cheddar, Spicy Ketchup, BBQ jackfruit, extra BBQ sauce, slaw, and avocado on a savory pretzel roll.
Bring the Vacation Vibes Home: Go Vegan Today
Animals are unique individuals with their own wants and needs. The notion that humans are entitled to exploit them is rooted in speciesism, the misguided belief that one species is more important than another. When we see all animals as deserving of respect, we understand that we must change our personal choices in order to stop contributing to their suffering. After relaxing at the beach and devouring some of the delicious vegan options available along the boardwalk, bring the kindness home—go vegan for good.
