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8 Satisfying Lunch Ideas for Charleston Vegetarians

Eat well without meat

by Logan Waddell
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by Logan Waddell
Basil

Get away from that sad desk salad, and stop by one of these Charleston restaurants for a hearty lunch sans meat. Vegetarians can find a variety of options at downtown establishments for a satisfying midday meal. Here a some of the highlights.

Presented in geographical order.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Five Loaves Cafe

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43 Cannon St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-4303
(843) 937-4303
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Mediterranean Garden Burger and Cup of Soup: A light grain patty topped with cucumbers, tzatziki feta, artisan greens, tomatoes, and onions is a refreshing bite at Five Loaves Cafe. Paired with your choice of the soup of the day, and you can’t go wrong with this duo.
Five Loaves

2. The Park Cafe

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730 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-1070
(843) 410-1070
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Avocado Toast with Poached Egg: Try the creamy avocado spread over crispy, toasted whole grain toast at sunny Park Cafe. Add a poached to top things off, and you won’t find a better rendition of this dish anywhere in town.

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3. Leon's Oyster Shop

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698 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 531-6500
(843) 531-6500
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Siam Salad and a Side of Brussels: Napa cabbage, avocado, peanuts, orange, fried shallots, fresh herbs and lots of love go into this dish. The option to add shrimp is there for you pescetarians. Add a side of Leon’s beloved fried brussels sprouts to send your meal into overdrive

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4. Gnome Cafe

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109 President St
Charleston, SC 29403
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Bulgogi Korean Bowl: Gnome is proving to be arguably the best vegetarian cafe in town. Some may argue about price, but if you want the highest integrity, thoughtful vegetarian/vegan meal, you come here. The bulgogi Korean bowl is a hearty mix of rice, bulgogi tofu, sesame broccoli, red cabbage, daikon, and scallions, and it’s incredible.

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5. Monza

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451 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-8787
(843) 720-8787
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Vodka Sauce Pasta: While hip Italian cafe Monza might be known for pizzas, its signature pasta dishes are also respected around the city. Order the penne pasta drenched in creamy vodka sauce, served with melted fresh mozzarella for a truly satisfying meal.

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6. Hominy Grill

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207 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
(843) 937-0930
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Vegetable Plate: Hominy Grill is the king of Southern sides in this town, and for vegetarians craving hearty, delicious, food-coma-inducing veggies, look no further. In particular, the mustard greens, squash casserole, and cornbread are must-haves.

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7. Basil

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460 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-3490
(843) 724-3490
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Pad See Ew: Basil has been a cornerstone of Upper King since before Upper King was cool. The restaurant does a fantastic job with Thai dish pad see ew — some of the best you’ll find in Charleston. Tofu brings some variety in texture, and Basil's spice tray adds another level of flavor.
Basil

8. Closed For Business

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453 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 853-8466
(843) 853-8466
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Veggie Burger: If you’re looking for a quick non-meat fix, the King Street king of sandwiches has got you covered. Closed for Business has arguably the best veggie burger downtown, the price is on point, and if you’re in the mood for a beer, CFB stocks almost every brewery under the sun on tap.

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1. Five Loaves Cafe

43 Cannon St, Charleston, SC 29403
Five Loaves
Mediterranean Garden Burger and Cup of Soup: A light grain patty topped with cucumbers, tzatziki feta, artisan greens, tomatoes, and onions is a refreshing bite at Five Loaves Cafe. Paired with your choice of the soup of the day, and you can’t go wrong with this duo.
43 Cannon St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-4303
Visit Website

2. The Park Cafe

730 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Avocado Toast with Poached Egg: Try the creamy avocado spread over crispy, toasted whole grain toast at sunny Park Cafe. Add a poached to top things off, and you won’t find a better rendition of this dish anywhere in town.
730 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 410-1070
Visit Website

3. Leon's Oyster Shop

698 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Siam Salad and a Side of Brussels: Napa cabbage, avocado, peanuts, orange, fried shallots, fresh herbs and lots of love go into this dish. The option to add shrimp is there for you pescetarians. Add a side of Leon’s beloved fried brussels sprouts to send your meal into overdrive
698 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 531-6500
Visit Website

4. Gnome Cafe

109 President St, Charleston, SC 29403
Bulgogi Korean Bowl: Gnome is proving to be arguably the best vegetarian cafe in town. Some may argue about price, but if you want the highest integrity, thoughtful vegetarian/vegan meal, you come here. The bulgogi Korean bowl is a hearty mix of rice, bulgogi tofu, sesame broccoli, red cabbage, daikon, and scallions, and it’s incredible.
109 President St
Charleston, SC 29403
Visit Website

5. Monza

451 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Vodka Sauce Pasta: While hip Italian cafe Monza might be known for pizzas, its signature pasta dishes are also respected around the city. Order the penne pasta drenched in creamy vodka sauce, served with melted fresh mozzarella for a truly satisfying meal.
451 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 720-8787
Visit Website

6. Hominy Grill

207 Rutledge Ave, Charleston, SC 29403
Vegetable Plate: Hominy Grill is the king of Southern sides in this town, and for vegetarians craving hearty, delicious, food-coma-inducing veggies, look no further. In particular, the mustard greens, squash casserole, and cornbread are must-haves.
207 Rutledge Ave
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 937-0930
Visit Website

7. Basil

460 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Basil
Pad See Ew: Basil has been a cornerstone of Upper King since before Upper King was cool. The restaurant does a fantastic job with Thai dish pad see ew — some of the best you’ll find in Charleston. Tofu brings some variety in texture, and Basil's spice tray adds another level of flavor.
460 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 724-3490
Visit Website

8. Closed For Business

453 King St, Charleston, SC 29403
Veggie Burger: If you’re looking for a quick non-meat fix, the King Street king of sandwiches has got you covered. Closed for Business has arguably the best veggie burger downtown, the price is on point, and if you’re in the mood for a beer, CFB stocks almost every brewery under the sun on tap.
453 King St
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 853-8466
Visit Website

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