Where to Eat in Southern West Virginia if You’re a Vegetarian or Vegan
Picking out a place to eat when traveling can be tricky, especially if you have a dietary restriction. This blog post’s vegetarian author has spent several evenings eating fries and a salad for dinner. While there is nothing wrong with having this as a meal, it’s nice to have choices.
The Greater Summersville Area
La Carreta Mexican Restaurant (Vegetarian) | 205 Merchants Walk, Summersville, WV
La Carreta has a whole section of its menu dedicated to vegetarian dishes. Choose from fajitas filled with veggies, burritos, enchiladas, or bean tacos.
Fayetteville, Oak Hill, and Ansted
Cathedral Cafe (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 134 South Court Street, Fayetteville, WV
Cathedral Cafe is one of the go-to spots in Fayetteville for breakfast and lunch. The array of vegan and vegetarian options includes paninis, a hummus and veggie baguette, a mixed veggie quesadilla, a tofu scrambler, bagels, whole grain pancakes, french toast croissants, and various breakfast combos.
Chetty’s Pub at Adventures on the Gorge (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 219 Chestnutburg Road, Lansing, WV
Chetty’s Pub is the place to hit up after a whitewater rafting trip with Adventures on the Gorge. While you’re waiting to see the video and pictures from your rafting trip, munch on some cauliflower bits, a hummus plate, a veggie wrap, or a black bean burger.
El Bandido Mexican Restaurant (Vegetarian) | 2027 Main Street East, Oak Hill, WV
El Bandido has a whole vegetarian section with a mixture of classic combos and specialty dishes. Choose from veggie-filled fajitas, bean burritos and tacos, or stuffed peppers.
Gran Robbies’ Coffee and Cafe (Vegetarian) | 19949 Midland Trail, Ansted, WV
French toast croissant, anyone? How about an Italian grilled cheese? In the heart of Ansted, Gran Robbies’ Coffee and Cafe is a homey eatery that will satisfy your need for caffeine and appetite.
Pies and Pints (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 219 West Maple Ave, Fayetteville, WV
Vegetarians know it’s easy to go meat-free at pizzerias, but Pies and Pints has Daiya vegan cheese! This artisanal pizzeria has specialty pizzas like pies topped with street corn and jalapenos and classic styles like mozzarella caprese. The Daiya vegan cheese can also be swapped out for any sandwich.
Secret Sandwich Society (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 103 Keller Ave, Fayetteville, WV
Secret Sandwich Society can’t hide the truth: their sandwiches are delicious. The Garfield, A.K.A., an eggplant parmesan, and the Churchill—swiss, provolone, white cheddar, kale, and roasted red peppers—are great options for vegetarians. Those following a vegan diet can pick the Fillmore—vegan fried eggplant, roasted garlic mayo (plant-based), provolone, red onions, cherry peppers, and greens, or the Pioneer burger.
Smokey’s Cast Iron Grill at Adventures on the Gorge (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 219 Chestnutburg Road, Lansing, WV
Smokey’s Cast Iron Grill offers meat-free appetizers and entrees. Their appetizer line-up features fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese, whipped goat cheese, and cauliflower au gratin. For your entree, feast on a cauliflower steak with a side of baked potato, fries, sauteed mushrooms, or salad.
Southside Junction Tap House (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 101 South Court Street, Fayetteville, WV
Southside Junction Tap House does switch between a summer and winter menu, but they always have something that is vegan or meatless. They have veggie wings, black bean burgers, vegetarian chicken patties, Thai noodle salads, and spring rolls—all of which pair perfectly with their handcrafted cocktails!
The Handle Bar and Kitchen at Arrowhead Bike Farm (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 8263 Gatewood Rd, Fayetteville, WV
Once you’ve biked the trails of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, refuel on some beer and brats. The Handle Bar and Kitchen serves vegan brats, quesadillas, and tacos.
The Lost Paddle (Vegetarian) | 1 Concho Raod, Minden, WV
Once you’re done whitewater rafting with ACE Adventure Resort, fill up at The Lost Paddle. This resort restaurant has quiet and busy season menus, but both feature veggie wraps. The busy (summer) season menu offers vegetable stirfry and a variety of brick oven pizzas.
The Take Out (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 139 South Court Street, Fayetteville, WV
Here is how you order from The Take Out: choose your flavor profile, choose your protein (vegans and vegetarians can choose either tofu or tempeh), and pick how you want your meal (as a salad, rice bowl, sandwich, or on a pita). Each flavor is a different mixture of vegetables, seasonings, and sauces. Select profiles like jerk, BBQ, mojo, and pacific.
Wood Iron Eatery (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 129 South Court Street, Fayetteville, WV
The Wood Iron Eatery has a small but perfect menu, which includes breakfast and lunch. Meatless morning meals include Belgian waffles (with the option to add fruit or chocolate chips), a tofu scramble, fancy avocado toast, and house granola. Those strolling in mid-day can grab the Wood Iron Eatery’s Vegan Bridge Burger, made with a Beyond Burger patty.
Beckley & Raleigh County
Black Circle Bistro (Vegetarian) | 1318 Harper Road, Beckley, WV
Black Circle Bistro is a corner burger joint on Harper Road in Beckley that prides itself on having locally sourced ingredients and pinball tournaments. Diners can have any of their burgers made with a Beyond Patty for just a $1.50 extra charge. If you want something lighter, their CharlestonGirl salad is packed with various veggies like pickled beats, tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, and boiled eggs for protein.
Calacino’s Pizzeria & Sports Bar (Vegetarian) | 3611 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV
Sometimes, you just need a big, cheesy pizza, and Calacino’s is just the place to get that fix. Start out with toasted cheese ravioli, gnocchi, or spinach artichoke dip, then move on to a brick-oven calzone or pizza.
The Chocolate Moose Coffee Shop (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 1818 Harper Road, Beckley, WV
The Chocolate Moose’s main staple is the drinks. There are a few food options, like bagels and avocado toast, but the heart of the shop is the smoothies, lattes, and frappes. Taste beverages like The Dark Side smoothie: dark chocolate, strawberry, banana, with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle and sprinkles or the L.L. Bean latte: lavender, honey, and clove. Remember to save room for ice cream!
The Dish Cafe (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 1466 Ritter Drive, Daniels, WV
The Dish Cafe prides itself on fresh, local ingredients that are handmade into delicious dishes. Vegans and vegetarians can start with the roasted red pepper hummus dip and then move on to a main dish like falafel, a black bean burger, or a grilled cheese with tomato soup. Vegans will be happy to know that they can tie up their eating out experience with an avocado brownie.
Pasquale’s (Vegetarian) | 224 Harper Park Drive, Beckley, WV
Pasquale’s is an Italian staple in Beckley. They have a wide selection of pasta for lunch and dinner. Vegetarians can stick with spaghetti with marinara sauce or venture to alfredo, tortellini, spinach ravioli, or eggplant parmesan.
Young Chow’s (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 219 Pikeview Drive, Beckley, WV
Young Chow’s is a Chinese and sushi restaurant near Harper Road in Beckley. Take out or eat in at their exquisitely decorated dining area. Vegans and vegetarians have their pick of vegetable-based dishes like lo mein, fried rice, and chow mein.
Yummi Japan (Vegan & Vegetarian) | 310 Beckley Crossing, Beckley, WV
Yummi Japan is a Chinese and Japanese food restaurant off of Robert C. Byrd Drive and U.S. 19 in Beckley. Vegans and vegetarians can have mixed vegetables or broccoli with garlic, white, or kung pao sauce. Yummi Japan also has a vegetable roll, vegetable hibachi, and vegetable teriyaki on their menu.
Hinton
The Market on Courthouse Square (Vegetarian) | 200 Ballengee Street, Hinton, WV
Once you’re done strolling around Sandstone Falls, hit up The Market on Courthouse Square in Hinton. Vegetarians can fuel up on a classic grilled cheese, a black bean burger, or pizza.
Lewisburg
The French Goat (Vegetarian) | 290 Lafayette Street, Lewisburg, WV
Looking for something with an upscale French flair? The French Goat in Lewisburg is just the place. Vegetarians can start off with a selection of artisan cheeses, marcona almonds, dried fruit, and local honey. Then as a main course, they can feast on the rigatoni a la sorrentina—a pasta dish with rustic heirloom tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and shaved parmesan.
The Humble Tomato (Vegetarian) | 855 Washington Street West, Lewisburg, WV
The Humble Tomato connects with local farms to have a fresh food experience. An Italian eatery in Lewisburg, The Humble Tomato has plenty for vegetarians, including pan-seared mozzarella, tomato basil soup, pizza, and pasta like pesto mushroom linguine and vegetable cavatappi.
Most towns in WV
Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House (Vegetarian)
No matter where you are in southern West Virginia, you won’t be too far from a Gino’s Pizza & Spaghetti House. This local chain is exclusive to West Virginia and everything is made-to-order. Vegetarians can get bread sticks, a hefty calzone, or a cheesy pizza.
Tudor’s Biscuit World (Vegetarian)
Tudor’s Biscuit World is a West Virginia staple that has spread to Ohio and Kentucky. The West Virginia chain recently won “Best Biscuit in the South” by Garden and Gun Magazine. Vegetarians can start their day with a biscuit platter that will keep them full for the rest of the day.
