Family-Friendly NJ Vegetarian (and Vegan) Dining

4/12/16 - By Rachel Sokol

More and more families are going the vegetarian, and even the vegan, route, so we’ve rounded up the best NJ family-friendly options for meatless (and eggless and other-less) fare. And even if you don't necessarily identify as "veg", everyone should give these yummy places a try– your kids may surprise you and probably won't even realize they're eating "healthy." Some venues on the list are not strictly vegetarian/vegan, but offer many vegetarian or vegan options for kids, plus crayons, toys to play with, entertainment and more.

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The Cinnamon Snail  (Hoboken)
Wait, a food truck? In a dining review? Oh yes, we’ve got it all.  But this is no ordinary food truck; the Cinnamon Snail offers vegan organic food to legions of fans who follow its every move like One Direction groupies!  These guys bake everything fresh daily, starting at 3am, for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Try the blue corn pancakes with pine nut butter and Vermont maple syrup; maple pecan waffles, sweet brown butter, candied pecans and Vermont maple syrup; sage tempeh sliders; or the  mushroom porcini burger. The Cinnamon Snail usually parks on Hoboken's waterfront, as close to the train station as they can find parking. Exact locations, hours and daily menus are posted on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  

Veggie Heaven (Teaneck)
Employees believe families are drawn to Veggie Heaven because they're more health conscious and want to have a healthy, good meal in restaurant that the whole family can enjoy. Veggie Heaven is non-GMO, Kosher, and vegetarian/vegan. Children like to order burgers (protein, soy and wheat protein, black bean burger), Lo-mein noodles, spring rolls, chicken drumsticks, and more. A cup of crayons and some paper are available to keep kids entertained; you just have to ask for it, and they host children's birthday parties on-site. Kosher and vegetarian cupcakes are baked fresh daily and a popular dessert choice for kids, along with Tofu ice cream. High chairs and booster seats available.

Loving Hut (Matawan, Ledgewood)
Loving Hut is the fastest growing international vegan chain of restaurants with over 120 branches worldwide. Right off the bat, moms and dads should know it's the mac and cheese that kids go crazy for at this vegan establishment--it's what most parents order for their kids. Parents often order for kids off the main appetizers menu since the whole family can share; items include vegan crispy rolls, french rolls and mozzarella sticks. Smoothie flavors include banana, strawberry, and avocado. The bakery at Loving Hut is a huge draw for kids with cupcakes and special vegan cakes that can be made to order.

Bahama Breeze (various locations, including Toms River, Princeton, and Cherry Hill)
Ok, it's a chain, but it's a boisterous place that attracts kids with its Caribbean motif. Kids will most likely reach for the colorful paper umbrella that comes with your adult drink, but tasty drinks for kids include mango, coconut and pineapple juice as well as raspberry puree and orange juice. There's a kids menu which includes tropical fruit, mango sorbet, and banana shakes, and kids can order sweet, slushy fruit drinks served in a pineapple or coconut, which they can keep. Additionally, the main menu has bean soup, hummus with fresh veggies,various  garden salads, and more. Kids receive activity books and crayons, and, entertainment-wise, never know what to expect sometimes! For example, on Halloween, Bahama Breeze had "pirates" around the restaurant entertaining kids, and offered Jenga games, face painting, pumpkin-painting, and more. 

Morris Tap and Grill (Randolph) and Paragon Tap and Table (Clark)
Both establishments are owned by award-winning chef Eric LeVine who can whip up anything vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free for kids, such as vegan meatballs, vegan burger, artisan pizzas, and raviolis. Greens are from local hydroponic farms and the menu changes seasonally. The restaurant has free Wi-Fi and gives kids crayons and a menu to color while they wait for their healthy meal with mom and dad.

El Rancho (Long Branch)
This is a newly-renovated Mexican restaurant that's vegetarian and kid-friendly; it's not a huge place, but it's cute and cozy inside.  Kids like ordering quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, homemade french fries and veggie nachos. The menu also includes veggie burritos, torilla soup, and, of course, chips and salsa. The restaurant will close down for a private kid's party per request; with advance notice, and go "all out" to decorate it up for the birthday child. There is a large satellite TV on-site and the owners are happy to play cartoons for kids dining with mom and dad. 

Houlihan's  (various locations, including Brick, Lawrenceville, and Parsippany)
This chain is making some major changes lately, in a good way. The restaurant recently teamed up with Jersey native and food star Ali Maffucci, a New York Times Bestselling author and a food blogger. Houlihan's is currently carrying many of her healthy-choice meals, which parents and kids alike can enjoy, including Thai Noodle Salad (Sriracha Thai peanut sauce tossed with fresh spiral zucchini “noodles,” mangos, red peppers, snow peas, tri-colored quinoa, basil, mint, and almonds) and Butternut Squash and Sausage Lasagna, which can easily be made vegetarian--just ask! Additionally, Houlihan's offers crayons and a coloring sheet for kids, as well as a complete additional children's menu. 

Kaya's Kitchen (Belmar)
“Upscale hippie food” sound like an oxymoron? You’ll believe it when you taste it at this Jersey Shore vegan restaurant.  A mellow vibe and unusual, extensive offerings make this an ideal spot to get your kids into great veggie fare.  Everything’s made fresh and to order, from the creamy broccoli and spinach soup to the golden-fried veggie nuggets and Mississippi Ribs (seitan ribs in homemade BBQ.) Kids’ll also love the vegetable juice and fruit smoothie bar and amazing desserts.  


The tofu bowl at Lovin Oven might just tempt your little eaters, or at least the grown-ups! Photo courtesy the restaurant.

Lovin' Oven (Frenchtown)
With it's eclectic list of vegan and gluten-free menu options, Lovin Oven goes above and beyond "kid friendly." They have high chairs, colorful pictures on the wall to stare at, and more. Kids are given crayons and paper to doodle on and all around the restaurant are little toys for kids to touch.. Many parents are spotted walking their toddlers around the place since there's so much to see. Kids can enjoy yummy options such as grilled cheese on multigrain bread, eggs with avocado, kale and fruit, gluten-free pancakes and more. Desserts, which are fresh and baked on-site, are dairy and gluten-free, but oh, so delicious. Kids will love the cookies, cakes and creative designs. Kids' programming, including storytimes, crafts, and special holiday events are also on tap.Check the site for special meals, such as Italian Night with Bottomless Pasta Bowls, and Welcome Home Wednesdays where kids eat for just $5.

Sweet Basil's Cafe (Livingston)
Just putting it out there--this is the place for healthy comfort foods. The vegetarian/venu menu includes strawberry shortcake pancakes, chocolate chip pancakes and tiramisu pancakes. There is a kid's menu and they have high chairs; kids like the organic whole wheat smiley-face pancakes, grilled cheese, and noodles with butter. Although the venue is very kid-friendly, employees have noticed most moms bring kids in at breakfast time, from roughly 8am to 11:00 a.m. The cafe is happy to cater to special requests and the menu is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free, so there really is something for everyone.

Living on the Veg (Beach Haven)
Seasonal hours!
​Located just two blocks from the beach, this small Long Beach Island establishment has a "Lil Spouts" menu that's offered to parents with children; kids can color the menu with crayons while they wait for their grub. Healthy food is served on cute little plates that adorned with cartoon vegetables and fun sayings. Unlike other restaurants, Living on the Veg has a small deli with counter seating and outdoor picnic tables for nicer weather, which kids find unique. (After all, sitting inside on an regular chair is boring!) Young patrons love the variety of smoothies, which include mango, strawberry, banana, soymilk, and more--yum!

Vital (Montclair)
This family-owned Jamaican restaurant in Northern New Jersey specializes in vegan-friendly cuisine. Sibling operators Kwame, Nataki and Kanika Williams recently introduced an expanded menu that infuses the freshest ingredients with unique flavor. The restaurant has a casual, tropical resort feel in which you will find families of all sizes and people of all ages. Although they do not have a designated kids' menu, employees make every effort to customize meals on an individual basis. Rather than have a kids' menu with a staple such as chicken fingers and French fries, Vital offers child-sized portions of the flavorful food that parents are eating. (However, if necessary, chicken fingers can be made from scratch: grilled or fried.)

Rosa Mexicano (Hackensack)
Known for serving authentic, regional Mexican cuisine for over 30 years, Rosa Mexicano offers a dedicated vegetarian menu at both lunch and dinner. The Young Amigos (Kids) Menu has meals for guests under age 11--kids will love the veggie tacos!--and all items are are served with sides of sweet potato fries and mixed vegetables. Then, for some extra excitement, Rock the Guac is a tableside event where the servers will ask kids if they'd like to help make guacamole for mom and dad in a molcajete. Young chefs who want to help make guac are given a special apron to keep. (Families can also make a specific Rock the Guac request upon arrival to guarantee the experience for their kids.)  Additionally, enthusiastic young helpers may be brought on a tour of the kitchen; depending on how busy the restaurant is; this also can be planned in advance upon request. Kids menu also has a coloring and activity sheet attached.

Top photo: Breakfast pizzas at Lovin Oven. Image courtesy the restaurant.

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