We asked and you answered: Where’s the best place to get plant-based grub? With Sacramento considered the farm-to-fork capital, there were undoubtedly lots of places to pick from. Whether you’re a meat lover, vegetarian, or strictly vegan, you’re sure to find something delectable at one (or several) of these seven local spots. Read on to decide where you’ll explore first!

Aside from their vast selection of locally grown, organic produce, the deli at Placerville Food Co-op is not to be missed! For lunch, their vegan sub sandwich with fakin’ bakin’ might be right up your alley. Another good choice is their vegan burger (available both fresh and frozen) featuring a house-made patty with black beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and a savory spice blend. For a sweet treat, grab a vegan, gluten-free donut. The flavors rotate, but you’re always likely to find chocolate glaze, along with a creative seasonal choice like strawberry matcha. Mmm! 535 Placerville Drive, Placerville, 530-621-3663, Placerville, placervillefood.coop

Have you ever wanted to dine on veggie dishes in an enchanted forest? At Enchanted Forest Dining Experience you can do precisely that. Pick from a plethora of meat-free mains, such as a creamy vegetable pasty pie or stuffed portabella mushroom (filled with vegan Italian sausage, marinara sauce, and either real or dairy-free mozzarella). For an item that feels seasonal right about now, you can’t go wrong with the butternut sage crepe that’s loaded with roasted butternut squash, mushrooms, onions, and vegan Italian sausage, then topped with aromatic sage aioli. 372 Main Street, Placerville, 916-715-9755, Placerville, enchantedforestdining.com

If you’re hungry for fresh flavors and wholesome ingredients in the form of a salad, Jack’s Urban Eats is your spot. Their newer flower child offering includes superfood greens, arugula, sweet potatoes, farro, seeds, spiced chickpeas, and avocado with hot honey harissa vinaigrette. You can also create-your-own salad for the ultimate in customizations. Keep it light with chopped romaine, cucumbers, jicama, and strawberries; or make it more filling with baked tofu, hard-boiled eggs, feta, and rosemary croutons. 1005 Galleria Boulevard, Suite 150, Roseville, 916-474-5023; 8620 Sierra College Boulevard, Suite 110, Roseville, 916-791-5225; 2756 East Bidwell Street, Folsom, 916-984-5560, jacksurbaneats.com

Variety is the spice of life, and Garden of Eat’n agrees. Their menu is as diverse as it is creative. For something familiar yet unique, opt for the vegetarian piadina: a flatbread sandwich of sorts that’s filled with artichokes, arugula, zucchini, tomatoes, red peppers, herbs, a drizzle of oil, and parmesan cheese. But the ultimate veg-friendly find is the aptly named farmers’ market rice bowl, which comes with aromatic basmati, house-marinated tofu, squash, zucchini, watermelon radish, edamame, garbanzo beans, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, broccoli, kale, red cabbage, carrots, tri-colored quinoa, pumpkin seeds, herbs, and oil. And if carbs are your companion, try the broccoli cheddar mac; you’ll get your veggies in with every cheesy bite. 2000 Blue Oaks Boulevard, Suite 110, Roseville, 916-829-8101; 1228 Galleria Boulevard, Suite 130, Roseville, 916-771-0630; 1850 Grass Valley Highway, Suite 320, Auburn, 530-885-4500, gardenofeatn.com

When a craving for high-quality Thai food hits, Folsom Thai Cuisine delivers. Choose between multiple curries with extra veggies or tofu, like the familiar and oh-so fragrant yellow curry, which comes with carrots, onions, and potatoes. Ready for fall? The red pumpkin curry is a wonderful way to celebrate autumn’s arrival. Get extra cozy with an order of khow soy noodle soup, complete with bean sprouts, crispy rice noodles, and a coconut curry sauce. Just don’t forget to finish your meal with an order of mango sticky rice. 2371 Iron Point Road, Suite 100, Folsom, 916-983-9000, folsom-thaicuisine.com

The next time you want something delicious and nutritious, stop by Vibe Health Bar. Their menu names are enticing enough on their own, but the ingredients only add to their appeal. Greenie in a bottle is a cold-pressed juice composed of (you guessed it) everything green: cucumber, kale, spinach, romaine, cabbage, parsley, and watercress, plus lemon and ginger; pinky swear is a pink-hued smoothie with strawberries, bananas, almond milk, and honey. If you want to pair one or both beverages with something more substantial, we recommend the refresh veggie sandwich with goat cheese spread, fresh dill, cucumbers, avocado, mixed greens, tomatoes, and lemon-garlic dressing or avocado toast, which—in addition to avo—comes with nutty pesto, mixed greens, red pepper flakes, and pistachios. 2770 East Bidwell Street, Suite 500, Folsom, 916-990-5367, vibehealthbar.com

Spend your next date night or happy hour at Almighty, a botanical bistro whose menu is as lively and stylish as the setting. The homemade ginger syrup (used in many of their cocktails and sodas) is a must-try, as are the umami roasted brussels sprouts. When it comes to mains, try the macadamia carrot and ginger salad, perfectly presented with carrot ribbons, scallions, mixed greens, toasted macadamia nuts, almonds, and ginger-mandarin dressing; and peanut curry roasted cauliflower, a veg head’s dream with ube sweet potatoes, bell peppers, spring onions, eggplant, roasted cauliflower, and steamed white rice. 4355 Town Center Boulevard, Suite 114, El Dorado Hills, 916-510-1204, almightybistro.com  

by Caitlin Emmett
Enchanted Forest Dining photo by Taylor Allred ©stylereadersmedia. Garden of Eat’n photo by Taylor Allred, Food in Focus. Other photos courtesy of their respective companies or organizations. Almighty photo by Denise Marie Photography @denise.marie.photography. Folsom Thai Cuisine photo by Jyo Bhamidipati ©stylereadersmedia. Vibe Health Bar photo courtesy of Vibe Health Bar.