Outstanding, fresh, organic. Plain and simple. Reasonably priced. A real treasure for people who like to eat healthy.
(5)
conor b.
Maybe I didn't fit the bill of the average clientele but instead of being asked to find a seat I was looked at like I walked into the wrong place. I suggested they show me a menu. I felt like maybe I would have been shown a seat if I had granola falling out minivan or sweat covered yoga pants. For a vegetarian focused place, I was surprised to see it was mainly salads, fish, and a veggie burger. No mock meats, or creative lookalike dishes made vegan. The thing is, I can get a salad or fish almost anywhere and many restaurants accommodate a gluten free diet, many at less than half the price.
(1)
Christopher N.
Excellent quality every time. I don't usually eat out often, but when I do, I love going to Veg. They have sustainable selected fish that is both delicious and unique with a full menu that my vegan girlfriend also enjoys. I usually always go for the special, and I am never let down.
(5)
Marcy K.
Veg is exactly what it advertises. I have been here 3 times and definitely plan on returning. You have to try the desserts! All of the food is wonderful. I had a Kale salad with grilled salmon the first time and it was the best kale salad I have had. Loved it!
(5)
Rob B.
The vegetarian burger...really...it's more like gourmet...or haute cuisine. Never tasted anything like it...that's what keeps me coming back to Veg. The flavors in the vegetarian burger are complex, yet very tasty and almost like comfort food at the same time. Also, a huge fan of the homemade soups. I would honestly say this is the best bargain in SRQ for the high quality and care the Chef creates in every meal...
(5)
Christopher N.
Excellent quality every time. I don't usually eat out often, but when I do, I love going to Veg. They have sustainable selected fish that is both delicious and unique with a full menu that my vegan girlfriend also enjoys. I usually always go for the special, and I am never let down.
(5)
Lisa F.
Chopped Kale Salad with beets, carrots avocado, sprouts & sunflower seeds was fresh, delicious and plentiful. I'm not walking away hungry and would come back and order it again. Atmosphere is simple and comfortable if you are eating solo. I was thinking that the one long full mirror wall would be more desirable and cozy if it had art on it. It's odd looking up and seeing everyone's faces and heads in it. The bread was nothing special. However the butter was nice and soft. I will definitely return and try another entree. Service was polite and kind.
(4)
conor b.
Maybe I didn't fit the bill of the average clientele but instead of being asked to find a seat I was looked at like I walked into the wrong place. I suggested they show me a menu. I felt like maybe I would have been shown a seat if I had granola falling out minivan or sweat covered yoga pants. For a vegetarian focused place, I was surprised to see it was mainly salads, fish, and a veggie burger. No mock meats, or creative lookalike dishes made vegan. The thing is, I can get a salad or fish almost anywhere and many restaurants accommodate a gluten free diet, many at less than half the price.
(1)
S L.
I like this little place. The food is good and fresh with lots of vegetarian options. I love the little quaint bar area. They have a decent selection of microbrews. Though it would be nice to see more of a selection from local breweries for the support.
(4)
Raphie B.
The food was ok, but the open kitchen seems a bad plan when you're using sub-par ingredients (Publix brand ice cream in a big ten gallon container). The restaurant is in a strip mall and not terribly inviting from the outside. Inside the staff seemed put-off that we had 3 kids with us who weren't familiar with a lot of the menu items. They did eventually bring us a kids menu, when we asked for it, but it seems that should have at least been offered up front. I'd definitely look for other vegetarian options in the area before returning here.
(3)
Edna C.
My vegan hubby didn't enjoy his portobello volcano at all. I had the Maine scallop. Scallops were good, but the veggie on the side tasted like poached frozen veggie. My son had the Mac and cheese. He didn't like it but had to eat it cuz he was hungry. Very disappointed especially consider the good reviews...
(2)
Tom T.
We eat here every time we are in Sarasota - Great every time. Quality, freshness and consistency
(5)
Tamara H.
Terrific lunch! Inexpensive and fabulously delicious food!!! Very enjoyable, relaxing environment.
(5)
Andrea M.
It's rare to find a restaurant that easily puts together meals that are vegetarian AND gluten-free, and Veg did not disappoint! I enjoyed a beautiful and hearty signature salad that was fresh and left me full. My daughter ordered the portabello volcano, and it looked incredible. My husband, neither vegetarian or gluten-free, had the fish tacos and was happy with the dish. I was ecstatic to find they serve many delicious gluten-free, raw, and vegan desserts -- options I have otherwise given up on in any restaurant. The petite chèvre cheesecake was a delicious (and perfectly tiny) way to end the meal. I had to try my daughter's gluten-free peanut butter cheesecake too (I HAD TO, you guys) and I loved it, though you could definitely tell the crust was gluten-free. Damn gluten is useful in baking, so I get it. Overall a happy dining experience. A bit pricey on some of the vegetarian dishes, but I'd go back for the many fresh options available.
(4)
Val G.
A vegetarian & seafood restaurant is a contradiction. You can't be a vegetarian restaurant if you serve flesh of any kind. Finito! That said, I get what they mean, but calling a place where most diners come to eat fish and even smells kind of fishy 'Veg' is somewhat misleading to those of us who *actually* really are veg. I've been to Veg twice now and I will continue to go most of the time when I'm in Sarasota, because they at least understand what a vegan is and are open for dinner, but the dishes lack inspiration. The risotto was not very good and the burgers and wraps were blandish. The ambiance and decor is very country cottage down homey and so is the service. Think being called "Hun". Lots of room for improvement, but it's possible that Sarasota's population isn't ready for that. They certainly aren't ready for an entirely vegetarian or vegan restaurant! The vegan chocolate fudge is my favourite consistent thing here and coconut cream pie was a hot.
(3)
Mark R.
We enjoyed eating dairy free here with no hassles. Both of us had seafood And loved it. We really loved the vegan desserts. Cannot say enough about the fudge or the brownie sundae with coconut Milk ice cream.
(4)
Heather L.
Wow this place is great! Had the kale salad with veggie burger - both were incredible. Everything people around us were eating looked amazing - we will make this a stop EVERY time we come down to Sarasota - and probably a reason to pass through! Home made iced tea was awesome as well! Reminds me of the Spot out in Hermosa Beach - wish we found this 6 yrs ago when we moved to St, Pete.
(5)
Melissa J.
When my husband and I moved to Florida last July, the very first restaurant we ventured to was Veg. Being a vegetarian I was happy to see that this area has some great options for dining out. I have tried the 2164 Salad, Veg Tower, and now the Spaghetti Squash Bolognese w/Vegetable Meatballs. They have never let me down.
(5)
Nicole L.
Great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Lots of nice touches and REALLY fresh ingredients. A great healthy option in Gulf Gate.
(5)
beryl l.
As a vegan who lives near Veg and likes to support family owned businesses, I really wanted to like this restaurant! Even gave it three tries! The first two times we did takeout. I found the food to be very boring, not very flavorful and the portions were small. Two strikes. Just today I decided to go for lunch, I figured I'd give it one last try before giving up. Bad idea. The place is extremely tiny, the seating is uncomfortable and the tables are very close to each other. I brought my baby and there was nowhere to put his infant carseat so I wonder what would have happened if he came in the stroller. He ended up halfway underneath a table which made him upset and we ended up leaving early. But let me tell you what made me lose interest in this place: My mother in law ordered the soup & salad lunch deal. The server asked if she wanted her soup before the salad and she said yes. 15 minutes later, the soup finally arrives but its the wrong one. My MIL never tasted it but her soup spoon was in the soup and they served it to a different table! Then they brought out the right soup but along came her salad. No apologies were made during this whole time. I was given the "vegan" menu, ordered off it then brought a sandwich with mayonnaise on it. Again, No apologies were made and I sat there confused until another was brought out. My guess is these things happen a lot so the server finds it normal? By this time my baby was crying up a storm so I got my food to go and had it at home. Once again, very boring. My portabella sandwhich reminded me of my moms attempt at cooking vegan food. Which is totally fine for her cooking skills, but from a restaurant called "VEG" I really do expect more. Third strike. My friendly suggestions for the owners : - Install bench seating along the walls to create more space and seating. Try to get some more comfortable chairs. - Paint the walls a lively color and hire an interior decorator. White walls and lack of decor is a boring dining environment. -Make the menu more exciting. Maybe get some ideas from The Chicago Diner or Ethos Vegan Kitchen. Both menus are online. - I'm happy to see that you're making an effort with the eco-friendly to-go containers but I don't understand why you're serving fruit in plastic cups when people dine in. It's less expensive and less wasteful to put fruit cups in glass or porcelain. -Get more organized. Messing up both orders on a 2 top is bad organization. - And when you do mess up, apologize and offer something to make up for it. Usually a free drink or dessert does the trick. If not, don't be confused when they don't come back.
(2)
Dean B.
Not just the best Vegetarian kitchen but one of the best kitchens of ANY kind I have ever encountered - anywhere. I say this in particular because, rather than leaving the restaurant in my usual post-dining fog, I always feel more alert and awake after eating here. The flavors and textures that this Chef achieves with veggies - both cooked and raw - are simply incredible. And this hold true for desserts. If Maggie's Vegan "Cheesecake" is on the menu, do not miss it. Truly mind-blowing.
(5)
John D.
Gosh, I am starting to feel like a candy man with my reviews. I guess I have been fortunate and have been lead to great places by Yelp. The Veg is no exception. The strip mall is very deceiving and it looks like a hole in the wall, but looks can be deceiving. The little setting was perfect and the service was top notch. The food was very unique. If you are health conscience or vegan, this is the place for you. I just wanted some good seafood and this place fit the bill. I had the mezzo appetizer platter; all I can say is that it was delicious...homemade humas and mama ganoush was delicious! I ended up getting wild Maine scallops that pretty much melted in my mouth. I will definite visit this place again when we visit siesta key.
(5)
Tara J.
Went here on our way from Longboat Key to Delray Beach. We always seek out veggie restaurants when we travel, and this place is among our favorites! I tried the Avocado Dream and LOVED IT! That rosemary bread was to die for! My husband was torn between the brisket sandwich and a special veggie sloppy joe they were serving, but ordered the brisket sandwich and loved every bite of it. The seitan was sliced into thin strips and much tastier than the seitan we've purchased and cooked on our own -- maybe because cooking isn't our forte?? Eating sure is, though! I don't know, but this was REALLY good! Pricing was fair at $6.99 and $7.99 for our sandwiches, and the service was pretty much perfect. I seriously can't think of anything I'd change. The menu is HUGE, with so many great options. I really can't wait to return, and wish there was an option like this in Delray.
(5)
Julie F.
My husband, mother-in-law and I visited Veg and could not stop raving about our meals. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I wish I lived closer to Sarasota because this place would be on my "local favorites" list for sure! I ordered a kale salad with seared ahi tuna and polished off every bite. I also shared a few bites of my husband's black bean burger ("The Veg") and would highly recommend it as well!
(5)
Walt B.
The food was delicious and healthy! This was my first time eating at a vegetarian restaurant, but I will definitely be back again. I recommend the portobello volcano with mashed potatoes. It was absolutely delicious!
(5)
Todd B.
I'm not a big fan of vegetarian food, but I've been in a serious relationship with a vegetarian for a while now, so it is inevitable that once in a while, we'll end up in a vegetarian restaurant. I don't mind, as long as the options are tasty. This is the best I've ever been to. If nothing else, its a 5 star vegetarian restaurant, if not a 5 star casual restaurant. They do have fish items, and I believe I got a fish sandwich my first trip. I know I enjoyed it, but I don't remember it that well. This time I got veggie burger - second best veggie burger I've had, and yes, I've had a few. The patty is delicious, even dry (though it does come with an aioli sauce). I modified it a bit and got it on a spinach wrap instead of a bun, and I actually think it was better than the bun. Here's a warning though, and the only negative I'll give it - the veggie burger is not on the dinner menu. I don't know if that means you can't get it or not, but since when is a burger only lunch food? It's an odd thing to remove from the dinner menu. They have lots of tofu and faux meat items on here, and a few fish items, too. Even if you aren't a vegetarian, this is a good, healthy restaurant and well worth checking out. The owners are locals and they work in the kitchen (the husband is the chef) and they come out to greet the guests and personally make sure you're doing well. Service is always good - we waited a bit to get our order in this time, but it was pretty busy. So seriously, my fellow meat eaters out there - if you can skip bacon just one meal (believe me, I know how hard that is), and can stand a little less clog in your arteries (I know, I know, the fat and cholesterol build up toughens your arteries against external attacks), then you should definitely check out Veg.
(5)
Mei L.
A petite, great atmospheric place to catch up on your vegetables! My mother is vegetarian and she usually makes her own meals at home so I decided to take her out to try Veg! Mindy was our waitress and she did a great job of taking care of us and our order. The only thing I can say I didn't like so much was, nothing personal, their pineapple water. It tasted awkward but the problem was easily solved by adding some lemon juice! Among their meals, Mediterranean burger special was delicious and so was the blackened basa, their sliced cucumbers and fresh fruits sides were truly fresh and yummy! They have gluten-free dishes and are flexible in substituting gluten-free with non gluten free meals. My mom really enjoyed her Thai Coconut curry soup, though it wasn't really Thai nor curry but she enjoyed it very much and that's all that matters. The audience is mostly senior citizens. I didn't see any young teenagers or children so it is more for an older and mature crowd. See my pictures to help you order the good stuff! Tip: Get 3% off your bill when you pay in cash!
(4)
Michael J.
Food was ok, nothing extraordinary and if you come hungry, better order two portions! I had an entree salad, it was small and the carrot shavings were dry and like you get packaged at the store and the sandwiches are about 4 inches round. This place is supposed to be healthy but they serve Splenda for sweetener instead of Stevia or Agave. They also charge for ice tea refills, which is a little tacky, especially when I wanted bread with the salad and they charged 50 cents for that without telling me there would be a charge. Not coming back!
(2)
Britt S.
The food at Veg is bland and over priced, but my biggest complaint starts when you walk through the door. They have the weirdest policy that they want EVERYONE to make a reservation before they arrive! They even give you a business card to call the next time! Having been in the restaurant business, I know that you don't want to make customers feel unwelcome and that is exactly what they do at Veg. Why would you make a reservation at a little restaurant in Gulf Gate that is never even full lol? It's absurd and tacky:(
(1)
Kelly S.
I was so excited to visit veg and check out one of sarasota's only vegan spots. It's not that this is an all-vegan spot, but it is largely advertised that they serve vegan dishes. At the table I had the "cauliflower steak" and my boyfriend had the seitan brisket. Both the plates came with 3 pieces of synthetic-looking cauliflower that were raw and unseasoned. Next to them was a giant pile of broccolini, also raw and unseasoned. What kind of chef would put that on the plate? The side I chose was a "slow roasted sweet potato", and my boyfriend got the brown rice pilaf. His brisket was covered in a cloyingly sweet barbecue-style sauce which was then placed directly over the pilaf. He originally thought they had left the pilaf off the plate. The food was so cloying that you really needed a starch in between bites, so having the pilaf be smothered in the barbecue sauce made no sense and it made the dish really unpleasant to eat. We were also served bread which was pretty dense, alongside a bowl of butter packets. I found that uncool, seeing as the waitress asked us if we were vegan before bringing them. My cauliflower "steak" was a rubbery, tough, unseasoned, hacked piece of cauliflower that was nearly impossible to cut through using a steak knife. It was said to be served with a "bolognese" sauce, but arrived with a mediocre, at best, marinara. My "slow roasted" sweet potato was cooked. That's all that was done to it. There was no salt or pepper or seasoning of any kind. There was also no salt on the table. We were given salt after asking but I really don't think anyone with working taste buds would have happily eaten an unseasoned sweet potato and paid money for it. Speaking of money, my plate cost $16 and my boyfriend's cost $15. These were definitely some of the most disappointing plates we've had all year, and some of the most expensive. I'd hate to have a non-vegan come in and judge vegan food by this restaurant. It just wouldn't be fair to all the great restaurants who don't treat their vegan options as an afterthought. I'm giving two stars only because the service was decent, though they were understaffed.
(2)
Sara R.
We had such a wonderful time here last night! The only problem was trying to decide what to eat. I was torn between the enormous scallops (from Maine, I believe) and their Signature 2164 Salad. So the waiter offered to get me the salad *with* the scallops. It was all delicious! Even my beer: Peak's IPA. Take a look at their menu--there are a ton of great options. I will definitely go back soon.
(5)
Lawrence C.
Decent selection of items for lunch, at very good prices. Service however was very casual, and unprofessional. Lunch was a cup of soup, $3.79, and two salads: a grilled tofu and a vegetable salad, both $8.99 Bottom line: I'd come here if a friend wanted to come, but I'd recommend another place instead next time.
(3)
Tracy M.
This was a needle in a haystack I am thrilled I was able to find. Off the beaten path from the main area of Sarasota, you may not find this gem if not specifically setting out to look for it as I too used my GPS to locate. Reservations are accepted (which I found out upon arriving, which is good if you have time constraints or a bigger party), however; I just went on a hunch and hunger and was able to be seated right away with an option of a table or at the bar. Being by myself I decided to eat at the bar to be more interactive and not to waste a full table that could be dedicated to a group. I was greeted by a friendly staff and a waitress who rattled off a plethora of specials along with the regular menu that made it hard to make a selection. Not being a Vegetarian or Vegan but merely open to most cuisines I went with the recommendation of the sea scallops (which were sizable at a decent price in the sea scallops world) and latkes. I love my mothers latkes out of the box and I applaud her effort as I too am not a huge fan of cooking, especially from scratch but these latkes ran circles then did back flips around my mother's Stop & Shop brand. The whole staff was friendly and engaging. The woman I believe to be the owner or possibly manager was very interactive going around to tables and asking how everything was. I got the added bonus of dining next to a gentleman who reminded me of my favorite uncle and amused me for the duration of my meal. I would not hesitate in coming back to this restaurant and trying any one of their dishes as I am convinced it will be amazing!
(5)
guido s.
Vegan, vegetarian, and killer seafood all under one roof! The chef sources local organic ingredients and buys sustainable/wild fish as well. Food is ultra-fresh and rewarding compared to most other places around. This is a restaurant for people that care about food and the environment around them. Very cool that Sarasota has a restaurant like this here, since Florida is definitely lacking in innovative and healthy cuisine. The place is very small, so make a reservation if you can. The fish is better than Bonefish (did I say non-farmed too?) and the vegan entrees are on par with the best in NYC. Loves it.
(5)
Howard H.
Terrific meal at a wonderful restaurant. The proprietors came over to the table and obviously have tremendous pride in their establishment. Go with the specials!
(5)
Amy L.
Picked this spot while on vacation with my husband and almost 2 year-old. Walked in around 530pm and 2 other tables occupied at the time. First, it was a BIG deal to seat us. One person asked how many and then walked away to take someone's order. Someone else came up and asked how many and if we needed a high chair- yes. She then disappeared for awhile. I saw her walk into the kitchen a few minutes later, see me, and turn around. This time she emerged with the chair and tried to seat us at a 2 top. Uh, no, sorry, we need space for 3 people. She had my husband push 2 tables together for us. Phew, seated. First lady came back to tell us specials- which I swear took about 5 minutes. Not because so many, just slow. Order placed, food on the way. BTW- what an uninspired kids menu for an inventive vegetarian restaurant. Pizza? Mac n cheese? Grilled cheese? Come on, do better here. Waiting for mains, 2nd lady came back and asked if we could move tables. Umm, ok. Food was pretty darn great- I had the whole roasted cauliflower. Spices were just right. Dessert was a bit of a miss. Lesson? Service matters just as much as food!
(3)
David B.
Good food... Newb staff... Simple stuff like filling up water. Otherwise the food was fresh vegetarian yummy cuisine!
(4)
Melissa Z.
Thank God for Veg! This is One of the BEST local restaurants in Sarasota. If you're not a vegetarian and just want a delicious healthy meal, you have to come here. It's locally owned, the entrees are fantastic (there are even gluten free options!), and the ingredients are super fresh. Service is cheery (really!) and delightful. THE BEST VEGGIE BURGER IN FLORIDA. Period. (add the avocado and cheese and you will think you died and went to heaven on a plate.) If I had to dig up a negative comment to this place it would only be that the atmosphere is a little lacking. It's just a tiny very casual cafe with not much of a theme to it. But that's me being uber picky. Why are you still reading this review? GO TRY IT!
(5)
Megan M.
Being a vegan and wanting to go out to eat is hard, but Veg makes it easy. Their lunch and dinner menus offer great selections and the quality, quantity and taste is superb. I gave 4 out of 5 stars because the rosemary bread for the sandwiches is a bit hard (it cuts the roof of my mouth and when you take a bite all the middle good stuff squeezes out). And...if the place is crowded, it is unbearably noisy (there's really nothing to absorb the sound on the walls or floor and when the staff throws the dirty dishes in the tub it makes you jump out of your seat). Because their food is so good and the owners are so nice, we opt for take-out or to sit outside if a table is available. Even with the noise, not eating at Veg isn't an option :)
(4)
Kelsey W.
Perfect place for my husband and I to have lunch...veg for me and seafood for him. I had the soup of the day, a kale and white bean soup. It was well seasoned and very tasty. I also had the sandwich special, which was a BLT made with tempeh bacon and a fried egg. The bread was very fresh, the tempeh was outstanding, and overall it was the best veg BLT I've had. We come to Sarasota a couple of times a year...how did in not know of this place? Thank you Yelp for finding it for me!
(5)
sarah s.
Po'Boy sandwich was delicious! I was excited to find this gem while visiting Sarasota with my family. Very tasty and kid friendly. I'd recommend visiting this place especially when you need a break from all the trendy fried seafood places.
(4)
AS S.
We found this restaurant in 2010 soon after they opened. We loved the food and became regulars. We would eat at Veg anywhere from 2-4x a month. The owners Maggie and Marty knew us by name. Two years ago, we came in, were seated at a table and spent 15+ minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. Not even water was served. When another party came in about 10 minutes after us and were immediately served bread and drinks while we were sitting there with nothing, we walked out. The owner Maggie came running after us and asked us to come back in, apologized profusely and made sure to take care of us. We felt that it must have been a one time mistake and enjoyed Veg many times last year. Tonight Veg proved it wasn't a one time mistake. We had a reservation and as a group of three arrived just behind another group of 3. The first group was seated and we were seated at the table next to them a few minutes later. Within minutes their order had been taken and within 5 minutes they had their appetizer; the potato pancakes. We were still waiting to have our order taken. Finally after about 10 minutes, the waiter Neil came over to take our drink order. We ordered drinks and appetizers (potato pancakes and soup) and asked for bread. The waiter came back with our drinks and we proceeded to order our main courses. Before ordering our main course we asked about the vegetable side dish. The waiter said it was beets and broccolini and described how the beets were prepared. It sounded delicious. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. While we sat, bread was served not only to the table of 3 next to us, but also to a couple who had just come in. But not to us. The table of 3 next to us finished their potato pancakes and were served their main course while we were still waiting for our bread and appetizers. I called the waiter over to ask him about the bread and appetizer. He said, "She messed up the order". Then, instead of apologizing for our food taking too long, he said, "There's nothing I can do about it. It's up to them and it's out of my hands once I put the order in." Finally our appetizer was served. (The couple who came in after us were served their potato pancakes at the same time.) We finished our appetizers as did the couple. The couple was served their dinner BEFORE us. Our meal came out after theirs. However instead of beets and broccolini for the vegetable, we were served a mish mosh of cabbage with sugar snap peas and carrots and oversized bland asparagus. Both were barely edible. Maggie came over as we were finishing up our meal and asked how it was. My partner mentioned how the waiter had described a different vegetable dish and was about to mention about the service but Maggie went running off to check on the vegetable side dish. She came back a few minutes later to explain that they had run out of the beets and broccolini. (It would have been nice to have been told about the change, especially since we had asked about the vegetable side dish.) She then asked about the rest of the meal and my partner started to tell her about our lousy service. Just as he started talking a couple walked in the door and Maggie ran off to greet them; never to return to our table. Needless to say, we will never return to Veg and will never recommend them again. Maggie's rudeness in running off just as my partner started to speak to her was the last straw. Too bad since when we walked in we were prepared to buy their holiday gift certificates.
(1)
Jennifer F.
This is my second trip to Veg, both visits were lunch time. It was busy both times I visited. The staff is friendly and asks about special diets. They offer gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and other options for special diets. They do offer seafood selections and I think they have some chicken options too. I don't remember for sure on the chicken (I don't eat chicken/fish). The food has been very good and the fudge is excellant. THe food is made fresh to order. They have a rewards card that you can get stamped and they offer a discount for those who pay cash. I think the prices are reasonable for the fare and ambience during the day is a typical cafe environment. I will return when I am able (back in town).
(4)
Heather S.
Definitely a great option if you are vegetarian/vegan but probably not the best for your carnivorous friends. Any dish I've had there has been wonderful, fresh, and satisfying. Though the menu is small, especially when you take out the fish options, they've got the staples on there that will satisfy any diner with special requests. I especially love their veggie burger, only served at lunch time, I believe. The restaurant is small but bright and clean. I personally like a little more to the decor but I understand their minimalist approach. Sometimes I think small spaces like that can be made a little cozier with soft lighting, different textures and bolder color choices. But that's no matter really when compared with the food and service. Service which is always exceptional! Definitely a place I like and certainly take special people to!
(4)
Paul G.
During our visit to Sarasota we ate three meals at Veg. Two lunches and one dinner. It was all exquisite. Tonight I had the vegan lasagna (a special) - absolutely wonderful with a side salad and their house dressing (unique and delicious). Service is fast and friendly. Highly accommodating of food preferences and allergies. My wife had the portobello mushroom dinner and lived it. Small but good selection of red wines. We'll return to Veg when we come back to Sarasota.
(5)
Dave H.
Strange combinations that didn't really work, quality ingredients but poorly prepared, and really overpriced.
(2)
Robin L.
This is a review I should have written a long time ago. My husband and I were on a vacation in Sarasota, and (once again!) Yelp came to the rescue. We set a new record, and ate there four times in two days. We would have eaten there more, but we had to come back home. The staff is friendly and caring. The food is delicious and healthy. Every dish is beautifully presented and served with pride. The husband and wife who own the restaurant are lovely people. My husband and I have even talked about going back to Sarasota just to eat a few more meals at Veg.
(5)
Diana P.
Underwhelmed by this place, esp after reading all the rave reviews. The dishes were all healthy tasting but very bland. We are not used to lots of salt, however, would have liked our mouths to have experienced a bit more. Ordered tacos which were just ok. There are tempeh ones & shrimp. NOT very clear that the first half of the menu & second half have same items with slightly different variations. We thought we were ordering tempeh tacos & out came shrimp. Also tofu in tofu salad was hot. Very odd to have a warm item in a cold salad...I couldn't get used to it. The scallops were delicious. The favorite on the menu, portobella mushroom with garlic potatoes was eh, just ok. Potatoes were good on their own. Overall, would rather try a new place than come again for dinner. It's a great place for a vegan though, not many places around here that cater to vegans.
(4)
Caron S.
Veg is a new-ish vegetarian restaurant in Gulf Gate. The space it occupies is in a strip mall, but it's cozy and inviting. A wall of mirrors lines the right side, making it seem larger than it is (I think there were 12 tables total). Beautiful small fresh flowers sit on each table. I couldn't decide between the grilled portobello burger or the "Veg" veggie burger. Both were served on a crunchy rosemary foccacia bun. We ordered one of each and tried half and half. I liked both but the veggie burger was outstanding. Not dry, the veggie burger was made with zucchini, carrots, black beans and string beans. It was served with caramelized onions and cilantro mayo. ($7.99) It also tasted of curry despite no mention of curry on the menu listing. The portobello was marinated in balsamic sauce, then topped with caramelized onion, and the same mayo. ($6.99) Both were messy but delicious. The cole slaw was average and the fresh fruit wasn't too exciting -- piece of watermelon, some purple grapes and canteloupe. Two cucumber slices donned the plate. I noticed the special board had a mushroom barley soup, along with sweet potato soup and black bean. (Matzah ball soup is available daily.) I asked the waitress to sample the mushroom barley. She returned with an ample size ramekin of piping hot soup. We both tasted it and it was bland. I never salt my food and this was lacking in the salt department. Our waitress asked what we thought and we told her and she said they don't usually salt the food, but salt is always available. I explained I don't salt my food ever and this soup was lacking salt, or something to add flavor. Veg serves coffees, teas, wine and beer and I was impressed with the variety of beers. I'll definitely go back to try the tempeh cuban.
(4)
Evie S.
I had the veggie-lentil-quinoa loaf with gravy special (gluten free and vegan) and LOVED it. I wish they carried it as a regular menu item. The chili tempeh tacos appetizer is amazing (3 tacos I think). I didn't like the dairy free ice creams they serve. there are MUCH better ones on the market. I am not a hug fan of the desserts there in general but their food is amazing. Their hummus is very good and the chef and staff are VERY nice.
(4)
Joanne C.
We found Veg via Yelp while visiting Sarasota for a short weekend at the beach. What a great little place, tucked away but clearly known by locals because it was very busy with both dine-in and take-out orders. I enjoyed the portobello volcano. I loved the pineapple water. My mom also enjoyed her dish. My husband wasn't as thrilled with his BBQ seitan brisket, having had better elsewhere. What we all agreed was outstanding was the vegan fudge! I'd order that to be shipped out to me in Seattle, it was so good! Definitely worth a stop here if you like vegetarian or seafood and want to support a local business.
(4)
Gina W.
This place has great fresh, delicious food. Nice selection for anyone, meatless, meat eater, or gluten free. Would have given it five stars if it had room, but the overcrowded seating is uncomfortable. You can not have a private conversation, and you can eat off the neighbor's plate, if you so desire. Everything is house made, salad dressings too.
(4)
Sean D.
I had the Tempeh Risotto with Sauteed Shrimp. It was exactly as it sounds... mouthwatering and wonderful. Maggie, the owner is attentive and the service staff was fantastic and prompt! I will be back!
(5)
Phyl R.
How can you call yourself a seafood restaurant, even if it is the 2nd word in the name of your restaurant, if you serve basa! Horrible tasting fish from some far east place. I ordered haddock, but am sure it was basa! Uck! Bad fish, cold and unseasoned vegetables, salty bread, poor service and bad wine. Maybe their vegetarian dishes are better, but they reall need to take the seafood off the restaurant name. Will never go back, Long John Silver's would have been better. I went to McDonald's when I left, I was still hungry after a $35.00 meal.
(1)
Leianna E.
Amazing healthy food. Weird location but so worth it. The fresh fish and veggies are delish! So impressed with this little hidden restaurant!
(5)
Chanel D.
Great place for a vegan or vegetarian to eat. The staff is incredibly friendly. It is a family owned spot. The bread is fresh everyday. I had the veggie burger. Not the best I've ever had. A bit bland. Next time I go, I will try the fish tacos. I heard they are amazing.
(3)
Mary E M.
We were looking for place with fresh whole food. We were not sure of this restaurant because it is located in a strip mall. It was a wonderful surprise to find a bright,clean and welcoming lunch spot.I am not eating wheat or dairy and am used to finding limited choices. Not the case here! My choice for lunch was a kale salad,fresh and delicious! My husband who is not a big fan of non meat meals had their homemade veggie burger and raved about the flavor.I would highly recommend this restaurant .Many choices,great deserts,and sensitive to vegans,allergies and healthy eating.
(4)
Carey Y.
Update! I felt that it was important to add an undated entry for Veg. I actually go there pretty frequently on my lunch breaks from work and decided that my first review of it really didn't do it justice- especially because at that point, I'd only tried take-out. This photo is of the amazing 2164 Salad: chopped kale, shoestring carrots, shredded raw beets, purple cabbage, toasted sunflower seeds, avocado, organic pea shoots; papaya seed citrus dressing. This salad has become my favorite at Veg and I can't seem to stop ordering it. It makes me feel SO healthy and tastes seriously amazing. As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes first, and the beautiful colors of the beets, carrots, avocados and kale make for an incredibly tasty display of color. There are tons of awesome choices on Veg's menu, and I still have a long way to go before I've tried them all. I find it very difficult to move on to new choices when I get so easily hooked on the ones I've had so far. Bravo Veg! Thank you so much for giving me such a great place to go to for lunch. See you again soon!
(4)
Florida R.
For me and any other food loving omnivore vegetarian places are on the list to try out of principle for the simple fact that if the chef can make things taste great without meat then he/she must know what they are doing. Veg is no exception, my favorite being the fish tacos. Amazingly fresh, well sourced and prepared by the folks in the kitchen. I have had several soups and enjoyed them all, I only wish I lived closer to experience dinner as I have heard good things from others about it. Friendly family business!
(5)
Kaitlin M.
The restaurant is cozy, the family who runs it is charming, and the food is delicious! We tried the latkes and matzah ball soup for appetizers and they were great. I ordered the risoto with teriyaki tempeh with some trepidation: I've had many a tempeh I don't like. Nothing to worry about here: the rice was creamy and the tempeh was flavorful and delicious! My dad (a non-veg), ordered fettucine with shrimp and said the shrimp wasn't over-cooked and the sauce was just right; not too heavy. Dessert was a summer peach and berry tart which was just how I like it: tart. I left feeling full and satisfied. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I'll be back next time I'm in Sarasota!
(5)
Kim S.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. I had the fish tacos for lunch and will return to try the portabella sandwich. I tried the gluten-free coconut cream pudding; it was a little gritty. The service was excellent. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)
Judy S.
Wonderful treat! From outside in its strip mall setting it appeared as if to be a tiny simple restaurant. What a delight to discover this gem. Great ambiance. Veg is vegetarian and fish and seafood with vegan and some gluten free menu options. The surprise was that the menu includes potato latkes and matzo ball soup plus spanakopita (delicious). Excellent garlic shrimp scampi over brown rice with string beans. My husband loved his Butternut Squash dinner served with rice and crisp string beans. Veg is open for lunch and closes for a few hours until the dinner hours (5-9pm). Make a reservation if you want to be sure to get a table.
(5)
Jessica H.
My boyfriend, friend, and I were in SRQ for the weekend and was looking for a nice healthy place to eat for dinner. We ended up going on yelp and ended up at this location. It's definitely a tiny little place that was very busy. We only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, so that was good. I had their fish of the day, which was the Amberjack, my boyfriend had the portobello volcano, and my friend had the Maine scallops. The scallops were amazing, and seasoned perfectly. The amberjack I could really care less about. There wasn't really anything amazing about the way the fish was prepared or how it was seasoned. It just tasted like roasted fish. The portobello volcano was pretty good, just had to be very careful about eating because it came out so hot. The coconut cream pudding was amazing, tasted very light even with that pudding texture. And it had some lovely coconut shavings on top. Yum. They had a huge wine list but I have to say, their drinks were definitely very overpriced. Their natural juice seltzers were just canned seltzer drinks from a grocery store. And it was pricey. I should have just ordered water.
(4)
Dawen H.
Very tasty food with reasonable prices. Love the seafood and the desserts. Definitely will visit again.
(5)
Charlie B.
We come to Sarasota for a few weeks every year, so this was my first opportunity to try Veg since "discovering" it last year. We were not disappointed. My wife has lasagna and I had a stew-like tempeh dish; both were delicious, with ample portions and a nice side salad. Veg closes fairly early, and during the prime dinner hours every table is booked. While we were there, several walk-ins were turned away, so do make a reservation.
(5)
Michael M.
VEG is a revelation! A gem in an unlikely setting---a strip mall behind a big shopping center. But don't let the location dissuade you. VEG offers a terrific culinary experience. I'm neither a vegan nor a vegetarian, but I would choose to eat here several times a week if I lived in town. The food was extremely creative with several dishes I never heard of along with old favorites reimagined in away that raised them to a higher level. I had a cauliflower "steak' with a bolognese sauce that could turn me into a cauliflowerian. The matzoh ball soup was among the best I've ever had and I've had plenty. The Sweet Thai Chili Tacos were a great appetizer to split, loaded with perfectly spiced shrimp and a chili sauce that leaves you scraping the plate with a piece of some of the most wonderfully unique bread. We sat at the counter and had a fun night talking with the chef's wife, the chef and their son, Ben, who showed a remarkable knowledge of food and hospitality. Warm and interesting, hard-working people and I wish them continued success. The few negative YELP comments confused me. I couldn't have been more satisfied.
(5)
Larry K.
Wonderful seafood - beautifully but reasonably prepared. Great veggies. Family run - wonderful people. Just a great experience.
(5)
C K.
Very nice food. Friendly staff. Incredible dessert!
(4)
Sara C.
Just ate lunch here for the first time and I wish I would have tried it sooner. I split the salmon burger and the veg burger with my friend and they were both absolutely delicious. I'm not sure which one I liked better. It was all so tasty. The matzoh ball soup could use a little more seasoning. It was a little on the bland side. But overall I am looking forward to going back. The dinner menu looked great and I love that they use local ingredients when available. A great place to eat!
(4)
Laura C.
You've got to stop in at Veg! I was driving through on a business trip and so thankful to find such a delicious oasis. The atmosphere was very relaxing and the food delicious. They even helped me figure out how to prepare one of the vegetables that came in our CSA.
(5)
Ram H.
Pretty good variety of vegetarian foods as well as seafood. If you are looking for different and good, this is the place for you. Stay away if you are a burgers/fries kind of person. Very cozy and friendly staff.
(4)
L And E.
Veg has an extensive menu of all vegetarian / pescatarian options; being a non-vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised to find them all to be very appealing. The owner introduced himself to our table, and what might be more impressive about Veg than the taste of the food or how charming the owner is, is that this restaurant has reached these milestones after only a couple months of operation. I went with a party of 6, with some vegetarians and throughout dinner everyone commented on how good the food was. I had the matza ball soup, which was excellent, and I never would have known it to be vegetarian. As an entree, I had the pompano special, which was also excellent. I would highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians and even meatatarians. The menu also included a lot of gluten-free options.
(5)
Elena C.
The food is nicely prepared, we ordered the Mezza platter, the babaganush was excellent. Also a portobello volcano dish which was very good, a tad sweet for my taste. The fish dish was well prepared also. The owner is very nice, his daughters are very sweet and our server was wonderful. Everything we ordered was delicious. The only discordant note was when we asked to have the fish tacos cut in half, I caught the lady in the kitchen doing the "eye roll" thing. It made me laugh!
(3)
Andy R.
Amberjack special is out of this world.
(5)
Kristin G.
The Veg sandwich is delicious and the cole slaw is really good. Nice family run place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
KeyLime F.
Outstanding, fresh, organic. Plain and simple. Reasonably priced. A real treasure for people who like to eat healthy.
(5)conor b.
Maybe I didn't fit the bill of the average clientele but instead of being asked to find a seat I was looked at like I walked into the wrong place. I suggested they show me a menu. I felt like maybe I would have been shown a seat if I had granola falling out minivan or sweat covered yoga pants. For a vegetarian focused place, I was surprised to see it was mainly salads, fish, and a veggie burger. No mock meats, or creative lookalike dishes made vegan. The thing is, I can get a salad or fish almost anywhere and many restaurants accommodate a gluten free diet, many at less than half the price.
(1)Christopher N.
Excellent quality every time. I don't usually eat out often, but when I do, I love going to Veg. They have sustainable selected fish that is both delicious and unique with a full menu that my vegan girlfriend also enjoys. I usually always go for the special, and I am never let down.
(5)Marcy K.
Veg is exactly what it advertises. I have been here 3 times and definitely plan on returning. You have to try the desserts! All of the food is wonderful. I had a Kale salad with grilled salmon the first time and it was the best kale salad I have had. Loved it!
(5)Rob B.
The vegetarian burger...really...it's more like gourmet...or haute cuisine. Never tasted anything like it...that's what keeps me coming back to Veg. The flavors in the vegetarian burger are complex, yet very tasty and almost like comfort food at the same time. Also, a huge fan of the homemade soups. I would honestly say this is the best bargain in SRQ for the high quality and care the Chef creates in every meal...
(5)Christopher N.
Excellent quality every time. I don't usually eat out often, but when I do, I love going to Veg. They have sustainable selected fish that is both delicious and unique with a full menu that my vegan girlfriend also enjoys. I usually always go for the special, and I am never let down.
(5)Lisa F.
Chopped Kale Salad with beets, carrots avocado, sprouts & sunflower seeds was fresh, delicious and plentiful. I'm not walking away hungry and would come back and order it again. Atmosphere is simple and comfortable if you are eating solo. I was thinking that the one long full mirror wall would be more desirable and cozy if it had art on it. It's odd looking up and seeing everyone's faces and heads in it. The bread was nothing special. However the butter was nice and soft. I will definitely return and try another entree. Service was polite and kind.
(4)conor b.
Maybe I didn't fit the bill of the average clientele but instead of being asked to find a seat I was looked at like I walked into the wrong place. I suggested they show me a menu. I felt like maybe I would have been shown a seat if I had granola falling out minivan or sweat covered yoga pants. For a vegetarian focused place, I was surprised to see it was mainly salads, fish, and a veggie burger. No mock meats, or creative lookalike dishes made vegan. The thing is, I can get a salad or fish almost anywhere and many restaurants accommodate a gluten free diet, many at less than half the price.
(1)S L.
I like this little place. The food is good and fresh with lots of vegetarian options. I love the little quaint bar area. They have a decent selection of microbrews. Though it would be nice to see more of a selection from local breweries for the support.
(4)Raphie B.
The food was ok, but the open kitchen seems a bad plan when you're using sub-par ingredients (Publix brand ice cream in a big ten gallon container). The restaurant is in a strip mall and not terribly inviting from the outside. Inside the staff seemed put-off that we had 3 kids with us who weren't familiar with a lot of the menu items. They did eventually bring us a kids menu, when we asked for it, but it seems that should have at least been offered up front. I'd definitely look for other vegetarian options in the area before returning here.
(3)Edna C.
My vegan hubby didn't enjoy his portobello volcano at all. I had the Maine scallop. Scallops were good, but the veggie on the side tasted like poached frozen veggie. My son had the Mac and cheese. He didn't like it but had to eat it cuz he was hungry. Very disappointed especially consider the good reviews...
(2)Tom T.
We eat here every time we are in Sarasota - Great every time. Quality, freshness and consistency
(5)Tamara H.
Terrific lunch! Inexpensive and fabulously delicious food!!! Very enjoyable, relaxing environment.
(5)Andrea M.
It's rare to find a restaurant that easily puts together meals that are vegetarian AND gluten-free, and Veg did not disappoint! I enjoyed a beautiful and hearty signature salad that was fresh and left me full. My daughter ordered the portabello volcano, and it looked incredible. My husband, neither vegetarian or gluten-free, had the fish tacos and was happy with the dish. I was ecstatic to find they serve many delicious gluten-free, raw, and vegan desserts -- options I have otherwise given up on in any restaurant. The petite chèvre cheesecake was a delicious (and perfectly tiny) way to end the meal. I had to try my daughter's gluten-free peanut butter cheesecake too (I HAD TO, you guys) and I loved it, though you could definitely tell the crust was gluten-free. Damn gluten is useful in baking, so I get it. Overall a happy dining experience. A bit pricey on some of the vegetarian dishes, but I'd go back for the many fresh options available.
(4)Val G.
A vegetarian & seafood restaurant is a contradiction. You can't be a vegetarian restaurant if you serve flesh of any kind. Finito! That said, I get what they mean, but calling a place where most diners come to eat fish and even smells kind of fishy 'Veg' is somewhat misleading to those of us who *actually* really are veg. I've been to Veg twice now and I will continue to go most of the time when I'm in Sarasota, because they at least understand what a vegan is and are open for dinner, but the dishes lack inspiration. The risotto was not very good and the burgers and wraps were blandish. The ambiance and decor is very country cottage down homey and so is the service. Think being called "Hun". Lots of room for improvement, but it's possible that Sarasota's population isn't ready for that. They certainly aren't ready for an entirely vegetarian or vegan restaurant! The vegan chocolate fudge is my favourite consistent thing here and coconut cream pie was a hot.
(3)Mark R.
We enjoyed eating dairy free here with no hassles. Both of us had seafood And loved it. We really loved the vegan desserts. Cannot say enough about the fudge or the brownie sundae with coconut Milk ice cream.
(4)Heather L.
Wow this place is great! Had the kale salad with veggie burger - both were incredible. Everything people around us were eating looked amazing - we will make this a stop EVERY time we come down to Sarasota - and probably a reason to pass through! Home made iced tea was awesome as well! Reminds me of the Spot out in Hermosa Beach - wish we found this 6 yrs ago when we moved to St, Pete.
(5)Melissa J.
When my husband and I moved to Florida last July, the very first restaurant we ventured to was Veg. Being a vegetarian I was happy to see that this area has some great options for dining out. I have tried the 2164 Salad, Veg Tower, and now the Spaghetti Squash Bolognese w/Vegetable Meatballs. They have never let me down.
(5)Nicole L.
Great vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options. Lots of nice touches and REALLY fresh ingredients. A great healthy option in Gulf Gate.
(5)beryl l.
As a vegan who lives near Veg and likes to support family owned businesses, I really wanted to like this restaurant! Even gave it three tries! The first two times we did takeout. I found the food to be very boring, not very flavorful and the portions were small. Two strikes. Just today I decided to go for lunch, I figured I'd give it one last try before giving up. Bad idea. The place is extremely tiny, the seating is uncomfortable and the tables are very close to each other. I brought my baby and there was nowhere to put his infant carseat so I wonder what would have happened if he came in the stroller. He ended up halfway underneath a table which made him upset and we ended up leaving early. But let me tell you what made me lose interest in this place: My mother in law ordered the soup & salad lunch deal. The server asked if she wanted her soup before the salad and she said yes. 15 minutes later, the soup finally arrives but its the wrong one. My MIL never tasted it but her soup spoon was in the soup and they served it to a different table! Then they brought out the right soup but along came her salad. No apologies were made during this whole time. I was given the "vegan" menu, ordered off it then brought a sandwich with mayonnaise on it. Again, No apologies were made and I sat there confused until another was brought out. My guess is these things happen a lot so the server finds it normal? By this time my baby was crying up a storm so I got my food to go and had it at home. Once again, very boring. My portabella sandwhich reminded me of my moms attempt at cooking vegan food. Which is totally fine for her cooking skills, but from a restaurant called "VEG" I really do expect more. Third strike. My friendly suggestions for the owners : - Install bench seating along the walls to create more space and seating. Try to get some more comfortable chairs. - Paint the walls a lively color and hire an interior decorator. White walls and lack of decor is a boring dining environment. -Make the menu more exciting. Maybe get some ideas from The Chicago Diner or Ethos Vegan Kitchen. Both menus are online. - I'm happy to see that you're making an effort with the eco-friendly to-go containers but I don't understand why you're serving fruit in plastic cups when people dine in. It's less expensive and less wasteful to put fruit cups in glass or porcelain. -Get more organized. Messing up both orders on a 2 top is bad organization. - And when you do mess up, apologize and offer something to make up for it. Usually a free drink or dessert does the trick. If not, don't be confused when they don't come back.
(2)Dean B.
Not just the best Vegetarian kitchen but one of the best kitchens of ANY kind I have ever encountered - anywhere. I say this in particular because, rather than leaving the restaurant in my usual post-dining fog, I always feel more alert and awake after eating here. The flavors and textures that this Chef achieves with veggies - both cooked and raw - are simply incredible. And this hold true for desserts. If Maggie's Vegan "Cheesecake" is on the menu, do not miss it. Truly mind-blowing.
(5)John D.
Gosh, I am starting to feel like a candy man with my reviews. I guess I have been fortunate and have been lead to great places by Yelp. The Veg is no exception. The strip mall is very deceiving and it looks like a hole in the wall, but looks can be deceiving. The little setting was perfect and the service was top notch. The food was very unique. If you are health conscience or vegan, this is the place for you. I just wanted some good seafood and this place fit the bill. I had the mezzo appetizer platter; all I can say is that it was delicious...homemade humas and mama ganoush was delicious! I ended up getting wild Maine scallops that pretty much melted in my mouth. I will definite visit this place again when we visit siesta key.
(5)Tara J.
Went here on our way from Longboat Key to Delray Beach. We always seek out veggie restaurants when we travel, and this place is among our favorites! I tried the Avocado Dream and LOVED IT! That rosemary bread was to die for! My husband was torn between the brisket sandwich and a special veggie sloppy joe they were serving, but ordered the brisket sandwich and loved every bite of it. The seitan was sliced into thin strips and much tastier than the seitan we've purchased and cooked on our own -- maybe because cooking isn't our forte?? Eating sure is, though! I don't know, but this was REALLY good! Pricing was fair at $6.99 and $7.99 for our sandwiches, and the service was pretty much perfect. I seriously can't think of anything I'd change. The menu is HUGE, with so many great options. I really can't wait to return, and wish there was an option like this in Delray.
(5)Julie F.
My husband, mother-in-law and I visited Veg and could not stop raving about our meals. Everything was incredibly fresh and flavorful. I wish I lived closer to Sarasota because this place would be on my "local favorites" list for sure! I ordered a kale salad with seared ahi tuna and polished off every bite. I also shared a few bites of my husband's black bean burger ("The Veg") and would highly recommend it as well!
(5)Walt B.
The food was delicious and healthy! This was my first time eating at a vegetarian restaurant, but I will definitely be back again. I recommend the portobello volcano with mashed potatoes. It was absolutely delicious!
(5)Todd B.
I'm not a big fan of vegetarian food, but I've been in a serious relationship with a vegetarian for a while now, so it is inevitable that once in a while, we'll end up in a vegetarian restaurant. I don't mind, as long as the options are tasty. This is the best I've ever been to. If nothing else, its a 5 star vegetarian restaurant, if not a 5 star casual restaurant. They do have fish items, and I believe I got a fish sandwich my first trip. I know I enjoyed it, but I don't remember it that well. This time I got veggie burger - second best veggie burger I've had, and yes, I've had a few. The patty is delicious, even dry (though it does come with an aioli sauce). I modified it a bit and got it on a spinach wrap instead of a bun, and I actually think it was better than the bun. Here's a warning though, and the only negative I'll give it - the veggie burger is not on the dinner menu. I don't know if that means you can't get it or not, but since when is a burger only lunch food? It's an odd thing to remove from the dinner menu. They have lots of tofu and faux meat items on here, and a few fish items, too. Even if you aren't a vegetarian, this is a good, healthy restaurant and well worth checking out. The owners are locals and they work in the kitchen (the husband is the chef) and they come out to greet the guests and personally make sure you're doing well. Service is always good - we waited a bit to get our order in this time, but it was pretty busy. So seriously, my fellow meat eaters out there - if you can skip bacon just one meal (believe me, I know how hard that is), and can stand a little less clog in your arteries (I know, I know, the fat and cholesterol build up toughens your arteries against external attacks), then you should definitely check out Veg.
(5)Mei L.
A petite, great atmospheric place to catch up on your vegetables! My mother is vegetarian and she usually makes her own meals at home so I decided to take her out to try Veg! Mindy was our waitress and she did a great job of taking care of us and our order. The only thing I can say I didn't like so much was, nothing personal, their pineapple water. It tasted awkward but the problem was easily solved by adding some lemon juice! Among their meals, Mediterranean burger special was delicious and so was the blackened basa, their sliced cucumbers and fresh fruits sides were truly fresh and yummy! They have gluten-free dishes and are flexible in substituting gluten-free with non gluten free meals. My mom really enjoyed her Thai Coconut curry soup, though it wasn't really Thai nor curry but she enjoyed it very much and that's all that matters. The audience is mostly senior citizens. I didn't see any young teenagers or children so it is more for an older and mature crowd. See my pictures to help you order the good stuff! Tip: Get 3% off your bill when you pay in cash!
(4)Michael J.
Food was ok, nothing extraordinary and if you come hungry, better order two portions! I had an entree salad, it was small and the carrot shavings were dry and like you get packaged at the store and the sandwiches are about 4 inches round. This place is supposed to be healthy but they serve Splenda for sweetener instead of Stevia or Agave. They also charge for ice tea refills, which is a little tacky, especially when I wanted bread with the salad and they charged 50 cents for that without telling me there would be a charge. Not coming back!
(2)Britt S.
The food at Veg is bland and over priced, but my biggest complaint starts when you walk through the door. They have the weirdest policy that they want EVERYONE to make a reservation before they arrive! They even give you a business card to call the next time! Having been in the restaurant business, I know that you don't want to make customers feel unwelcome and that is exactly what they do at Veg. Why would you make a reservation at a little restaurant in Gulf Gate that is never even full lol? It's absurd and tacky:(
(1)Kelly S.
I was so excited to visit veg and check out one of sarasota's only vegan spots. It's not that this is an all-vegan spot, but it is largely advertised that they serve vegan dishes. At the table I had the "cauliflower steak" and my boyfriend had the seitan brisket. Both the plates came with 3 pieces of synthetic-looking cauliflower that were raw and unseasoned. Next to them was a giant pile of broccolini, also raw and unseasoned. What kind of chef would put that on the plate? The side I chose was a "slow roasted sweet potato", and my boyfriend got the brown rice pilaf. His brisket was covered in a cloyingly sweet barbecue-style sauce which was then placed directly over the pilaf. He originally thought they had left the pilaf off the plate. The food was so cloying that you really needed a starch in between bites, so having the pilaf be smothered in the barbecue sauce made no sense and it made the dish really unpleasant to eat. We were also served bread which was pretty dense, alongside a bowl of butter packets. I found that uncool, seeing as the waitress asked us if we were vegan before bringing them. My cauliflower "steak" was a rubbery, tough, unseasoned, hacked piece of cauliflower that was nearly impossible to cut through using a steak knife. It was said to be served with a "bolognese" sauce, but arrived with a mediocre, at best, marinara. My "slow roasted" sweet potato was cooked. That's all that was done to it. There was no salt or pepper or seasoning of any kind. There was also no salt on the table. We were given salt after asking but I really don't think anyone with working taste buds would have happily eaten an unseasoned sweet potato and paid money for it. Speaking of money, my plate cost $16 and my boyfriend's cost $15. These were definitely some of the most disappointing plates we've had all year, and some of the most expensive. I'd hate to have a non-vegan come in and judge vegan food by this restaurant. It just wouldn't be fair to all the great restaurants who don't treat their vegan options as an afterthought. I'm giving two stars only because the service was decent, though they were understaffed.
(2)Sara R.
We had such a wonderful time here last night! The only problem was trying to decide what to eat. I was torn between the enormous scallops (from Maine, I believe) and their Signature 2164 Salad. So the waiter offered to get me the salad *with* the scallops. It was all delicious! Even my beer: Peak's IPA. Take a look at their menu--there are a ton of great options. I will definitely go back soon.
(5)Lawrence C.
Decent selection of items for lunch, at very good prices. Service however was very casual, and unprofessional. Lunch was a cup of soup, $3.79, and two salads: a grilled tofu and a vegetable salad, both $8.99 Bottom line: I'd come here if a friend wanted to come, but I'd recommend another place instead next time.
(3)Tracy M.
This was a needle in a haystack I am thrilled I was able to find. Off the beaten path from the main area of Sarasota, you may not find this gem if not specifically setting out to look for it as I too used my GPS to locate. Reservations are accepted (which I found out upon arriving, which is good if you have time constraints or a bigger party), however; I just went on a hunch and hunger and was able to be seated right away with an option of a table or at the bar. Being by myself I decided to eat at the bar to be more interactive and not to waste a full table that could be dedicated to a group. I was greeted by a friendly staff and a waitress who rattled off a plethora of specials along with the regular menu that made it hard to make a selection. Not being a Vegetarian or Vegan but merely open to most cuisines I went with the recommendation of the sea scallops (which were sizable at a decent price in the sea scallops world) and latkes. I love my mothers latkes out of the box and I applaud her effort as I too am not a huge fan of cooking, especially from scratch but these latkes ran circles then did back flips around my mother's Stop & Shop brand. The whole staff was friendly and engaging. The woman I believe to be the owner or possibly manager was very interactive going around to tables and asking how everything was. I got the added bonus of dining next to a gentleman who reminded me of my favorite uncle and amused me for the duration of my meal. I would not hesitate in coming back to this restaurant and trying any one of their dishes as I am convinced it will be amazing!
(5)guido s.
Vegan, vegetarian, and killer seafood all under one roof! The chef sources local organic ingredients and buys sustainable/wild fish as well. Food is ultra-fresh and rewarding compared to most other places around. This is a restaurant for people that care about food and the environment around them. Very cool that Sarasota has a restaurant like this here, since Florida is definitely lacking in innovative and healthy cuisine. The place is very small, so make a reservation if you can. The fish is better than Bonefish (did I say non-farmed too?) and the vegan entrees are on par with the best in NYC. Loves it.
(5)Howard H.
Terrific meal at a wonderful restaurant. The proprietors came over to the table and obviously have tremendous pride in their establishment. Go with the specials!
(5)Amy L.
Picked this spot while on vacation with my husband and almost 2 year-old. Walked in around 530pm and 2 other tables occupied at the time. First, it was a BIG deal to seat us. One person asked how many and then walked away to take someone's order. Someone else came up and asked how many and if we needed a high chair- yes. She then disappeared for awhile. I saw her walk into the kitchen a few minutes later, see me, and turn around. This time she emerged with the chair and tried to seat us at a 2 top. Uh, no, sorry, we need space for 3 people. She had my husband push 2 tables together for us. Phew, seated. First lady came back to tell us specials- which I swear took about 5 minutes. Not because so many, just slow. Order placed, food on the way. BTW- what an uninspired kids menu for an inventive vegetarian restaurant. Pizza? Mac n cheese? Grilled cheese? Come on, do better here. Waiting for mains, 2nd lady came back and asked if we could move tables. Umm, ok. Food was pretty darn great- I had the whole roasted cauliflower. Spices were just right. Dessert was a bit of a miss. Lesson? Service matters just as much as food!
(3)David B.
Good food... Newb staff... Simple stuff like filling up water. Otherwise the food was fresh vegetarian yummy cuisine!
(4)Melissa Z.
Thank God for Veg! This is One of the BEST local restaurants in Sarasota. If you're not a vegetarian and just want a delicious healthy meal, you have to come here. It's locally owned, the entrees are fantastic (there are even gluten free options!), and the ingredients are super fresh. Service is cheery (really!) and delightful. THE BEST VEGGIE BURGER IN FLORIDA. Period. (add the avocado and cheese and you will think you died and went to heaven on a plate.) If I had to dig up a negative comment to this place it would only be that the atmosphere is a little lacking. It's just a tiny very casual cafe with not much of a theme to it. But that's me being uber picky. Why are you still reading this review? GO TRY IT!
(5)Megan M.
Being a vegan and wanting to go out to eat is hard, but Veg makes it easy. Their lunch and dinner menus offer great selections and the quality, quantity and taste is superb. I gave 4 out of 5 stars because the rosemary bread for the sandwiches is a bit hard (it cuts the roof of my mouth and when you take a bite all the middle good stuff squeezes out). And...if the place is crowded, it is unbearably noisy (there's really nothing to absorb the sound on the walls or floor and when the staff throws the dirty dishes in the tub it makes you jump out of your seat). Because their food is so good and the owners are so nice, we opt for take-out or to sit outside if a table is available. Even with the noise, not eating at Veg isn't an option :)
(4)Kelsey W.
Perfect place for my husband and I to have lunch...veg for me and seafood for him. I had the soup of the day, a kale and white bean soup. It was well seasoned and very tasty. I also had the sandwich special, which was a BLT made with tempeh bacon and a fried egg. The bread was very fresh, the tempeh was outstanding, and overall it was the best veg BLT I've had. We come to Sarasota a couple of times a year...how did in not know of this place? Thank you Yelp for finding it for me!
(5)sarah s.
Po'Boy sandwich was delicious! I was excited to find this gem while visiting Sarasota with my family. Very tasty and kid friendly. I'd recommend visiting this place especially when you need a break from all the trendy fried seafood places.
(4)AS S.
We found this restaurant in 2010 soon after they opened. We loved the food and became regulars. We would eat at Veg anywhere from 2-4x a month. The owners Maggie and Marty knew us by name. Two years ago, we came in, were seated at a table and spent 15+ minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us. Not even water was served. When another party came in about 10 minutes after us and were immediately served bread and drinks while we were sitting there with nothing, we walked out. The owner Maggie came running after us and asked us to come back in, apologized profusely and made sure to take care of us. We felt that it must have been a one time mistake and enjoyed Veg many times last year. Tonight Veg proved it wasn't a one time mistake. We had a reservation and as a group of three arrived just behind another group of 3. The first group was seated and we were seated at the table next to them a few minutes later. Within minutes their order had been taken and within 5 minutes they had their appetizer; the potato pancakes. We were still waiting to have our order taken. Finally after about 10 minutes, the waiter Neil came over to take our drink order. We ordered drinks and appetizers (potato pancakes and soup) and asked for bread. The waiter came back with our drinks and we proceeded to order our main courses. Before ordering our main course we asked about the vegetable side dish. The waiter said it was beets and broccolini and described how the beets were prepared. It sounded delicious. Then we sat. And sat. And sat. While we sat, bread was served not only to the table of 3 next to us, but also to a couple who had just come in. But not to us. The table of 3 next to us finished their potato pancakes and were served their main course while we were still waiting for our bread and appetizers. I called the waiter over to ask him about the bread and appetizer. He said, "She messed up the order". Then, instead of apologizing for our food taking too long, he said, "There's nothing I can do about it. It's up to them and it's out of my hands once I put the order in." Finally our appetizer was served. (The couple who came in after us were served their potato pancakes at the same time.) We finished our appetizers as did the couple. The couple was served their dinner BEFORE us. Our meal came out after theirs. However instead of beets and broccolini for the vegetable, we were served a mish mosh of cabbage with sugar snap peas and carrots and oversized bland asparagus. Both were barely edible. Maggie came over as we were finishing up our meal and asked how it was. My partner mentioned how the waiter had described a different vegetable dish and was about to mention about the service but Maggie went running off to check on the vegetable side dish. She came back a few minutes later to explain that they had run out of the beets and broccolini. (It would have been nice to have been told about the change, especially since we had asked about the vegetable side dish.) She then asked about the rest of the meal and my partner started to tell her about our lousy service. Just as he started talking a couple walked in the door and Maggie ran off to greet them; never to return to our table. Needless to say, we will never return to Veg and will never recommend them again. Maggie's rudeness in running off just as my partner started to speak to her was the last straw. Too bad since when we walked in we were prepared to buy their holiday gift certificates.
(1)Jennifer F.
This is my second trip to Veg, both visits were lunch time. It was busy both times I visited. The staff is friendly and asks about special diets. They offer gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and other options for special diets. They do offer seafood selections and I think they have some chicken options too. I don't remember for sure on the chicken (I don't eat chicken/fish). The food has been very good and the fudge is excellant. THe food is made fresh to order. They have a rewards card that you can get stamped and they offer a discount for those who pay cash. I think the prices are reasonable for the fare and ambience during the day is a typical cafe environment. I will return when I am able (back in town).
(4)Heather S.
Definitely a great option if you are vegetarian/vegan but probably not the best for your carnivorous friends. Any dish I've had there has been wonderful, fresh, and satisfying. Though the menu is small, especially when you take out the fish options, they've got the staples on there that will satisfy any diner with special requests. I especially love their veggie burger, only served at lunch time, I believe. The restaurant is small but bright and clean. I personally like a little more to the decor but I understand their minimalist approach. Sometimes I think small spaces like that can be made a little cozier with soft lighting, different textures and bolder color choices. But that's no matter really when compared with the food and service. Service which is always exceptional! Definitely a place I like and certainly take special people to!
(4)Paul G.
During our visit to Sarasota we ate three meals at Veg. Two lunches and one dinner. It was all exquisite. Tonight I had the vegan lasagna (a special) - absolutely wonderful with a side salad and their house dressing (unique and delicious). Service is fast and friendly. Highly accommodating of food preferences and allergies. My wife had the portobello mushroom dinner and lived it. Small but good selection of red wines. We'll return to Veg when we come back to Sarasota.
(5)Dave H.
Strange combinations that didn't really work, quality ingredients but poorly prepared, and really overpriced.
(2)Robin L.
This is a review I should have written a long time ago. My husband and I were on a vacation in Sarasota, and (once again!) Yelp came to the rescue. We set a new record, and ate there four times in two days. We would have eaten there more, but we had to come back home. The staff is friendly and caring. The food is delicious and healthy. Every dish is beautifully presented and served with pride. The husband and wife who own the restaurant are lovely people. My husband and I have even talked about going back to Sarasota just to eat a few more meals at Veg.
(5)Diana P.
Underwhelmed by this place, esp after reading all the rave reviews. The dishes were all healthy tasting but very bland. We are not used to lots of salt, however, would have liked our mouths to have experienced a bit more. Ordered tacos which were just ok. There are tempeh ones & shrimp. NOT very clear that the first half of the menu & second half have same items with slightly different variations. We thought we were ordering tempeh tacos & out came shrimp. Also tofu in tofu salad was hot. Very odd to have a warm item in a cold salad...I couldn't get used to it. The scallops were delicious. The favorite on the menu, portobella mushroom with garlic potatoes was eh, just ok. Potatoes were good on their own. Overall, would rather try a new place than come again for dinner. It's a great place for a vegan though, not many places around here that cater to vegans.
(4)Caron S.
Veg is a new-ish vegetarian restaurant in Gulf Gate. The space it occupies is in a strip mall, but it's cozy and inviting. A wall of mirrors lines the right side, making it seem larger than it is (I think there were 12 tables total). Beautiful small fresh flowers sit on each table. I couldn't decide between the grilled portobello burger or the "Veg" veggie burger. Both were served on a crunchy rosemary foccacia bun. We ordered one of each and tried half and half. I liked both but the veggie burger was outstanding. Not dry, the veggie burger was made with zucchini, carrots, black beans and string beans. It was served with caramelized onions and cilantro mayo. ($7.99) It also tasted of curry despite no mention of curry on the menu listing. The portobello was marinated in balsamic sauce, then topped with caramelized onion, and the same mayo. ($6.99) Both were messy but delicious. The cole slaw was average and the fresh fruit wasn't too exciting -- piece of watermelon, some purple grapes and canteloupe. Two cucumber slices donned the plate. I noticed the special board had a mushroom barley soup, along with sweet potato soup and black bean. (Matzah ball soup is available daily.) I asked the waitress to sample the mushroom barley. She returned with an ample size ramekin of piping hot soup. We both tasted it and it was bland. I never salt my food and this was lacking in the salt department. Our waitress asked what we thought and we told her and she said they don't usually salt the food, but salt is always available. I explained I don't salt my food ever and this soup was lacking salt, or something to add flavor. Veg serves coffees, teas, wine and beer and I was impressed with the variety of beers. I'll definitely go back to try the tempeh cuban.
(4)Evie S.
I had the veggie-lentil-quinoa loaf with gravy special (gluten free and vegan) and LOVED it. I wish they carried it as a regular menu item. The chili tempeh tacos appetizer is amazing (3 tacos I think). I didn't like the dairy free ice creams they serve. there are MUCH better ones on the market. I am not a hug fan of the desserts there in general but their food is amazing. Their hummus is very good and the chef and staff are VERY nice.
(4)Joanne C.
We found Veg via Yelp while visiting Sarasota for a short weekend at the beach. What a great little place, tucked away but clearly known by locals because it was very busy with both dine-in and take-out orders. I enjoyed the portobello volcano. I loved the pineapple water. My mom also enjoyed her dish. My husband wasn't as thrilled with his BBQ seitan brisket, having had better elsewhere. What we all agreed was outstanding was the vegan fudge! I'd order that to be shipped out to me in Seattle, it was so good! Definitely worth a stop here if you like vegetarian or seafood and want to support a local business.
(4)Gina W.
This place has great fresh, delicious food. Nice selection for anyone, meatless, meat eater, or gluten free. Would have given it five stars if it had room, but the overcrowded seating is uncomfortable. You can not have a private conversation, and you can eat off the neighbor's plate, if you so desire. Everything is house made, salad dressings too.
(4)Sean D.
I had the Tempeh Risotto with Sauteed Shrimp. It was exactly as it sounds... mouthwatering and wonderful. Maggie, the owner is attentive and the service staff was fantastic and prompt! I will be back!
(5)Phyl R.
How can you call yourself a seafood restaurant, even if it is the 2nd word in the name of your restaurant, if you serve basa! Horrible tasting fish from some far east place. I ordered haddock, but am sure it was basa! Uck! Bad fish, cold and unseasoned vegetables, salty bread, poor service and bad wine. Maybe their vegetarian dishes are better, but they reall need to take the seafood off the restaurant name. Will never go back, Long John Silver's would have been better. I went to McDonald's when I left, I was still hungry after a $35.00 meal.
(1)Leianna E.
Amazing healthy food. Weird location but so worth it. The fresh fish and veggies are delish! So impressed with this little hidden restaurant!
(5)Chanel D.
Great place for a vegan or vegetarian to eat. The staff is incredibly friendly. It is a family owned spot. The bread is fresh everyday. I had the veggie burger. Not the best I've ever had. A bit bland. Next time I go, I will try the fish tacos. I heard they are amazing.
(3)Mary E M.
We were looking for place with fresh whole food. We were not sure of this restaurant because it is located in a strip mall. It was a wonderful surprise to find a bright,clean and welcoming lunch spot.I am not eating wheat or dairy and am used to finding limited choices. Not the case here! My choice for lunch was a kale salad,fresh and delicious! My husband who is not a big fan of non meat meals had their homemade veggie burger and raved about the flavor.I would highly recommend this restaurant .Many choices,great deserts,and sensitive to vegans,allergies and healthy eating.
(4)Carey Y.
Update! I felt that it was important to add an undated entry for Veg. I actually go there pretty frequently on my lunch breaks from work and decided that my first review of it really didn't do it justice- especially because at that point, I'd only tried take-out. This photo is of the amazing 2164 Salad: chopped kale, shoestring carrots, shredded raw beets, purple cabbage, toasted sunflower seeds, avocado, organic pea shoots; papaya seed citrus dressing. This salad has become my favorite at Veg and I can't seem to stop ordering it. It makes me feel SO healthy and tastes seriously amazing. As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes first, and the beautiful colors of the beets, carrots, avocados and kale make for an incredibly tasty display of color. There are tons of awesome choices on Veg's menu, and I still have a long way to go before I've tried them all. I find it very difficult to move on to new choices when I get so easily hooked on the ones I've had so far. Bravo Veg! Thank you so much for giving me such a great place to go to for lunch. See you again soon!
(4)Florida R.
For me and any other food loving omnivore vegetarian places are on the list to try out of principle for the simple fact that if the chef can make things taste great without meat then he/she must know what they are doing. Veg is no exception, my favorite being the fish tacos. Amazingly fresh, well sourced and prepared by the folks in the kitchen. I have had several soups and enjoyed them all, I only wish I lived closer to experience dinner as I have heard good things from others about it. Friendly family business!
(5)Kaitlin M.
The restaurant is cozy, the family who runs it is charming, and the food is delicious! We tried the latkes and matzah ball soup for appetizers and they were great. I ordered the risoto with teriyaki tempeh with some trepidation: I've had many a tempeh I don't like. Nothing to worry about here: the rice was creamy and the tempeh was flavorful and delicious! My dad (a non-veg), ordered fettucine with shrimp and said the shrimp wasn't over-cooked and the sauce was just right; not too heavy. Dessert was a summer peach and berry tart which was just how I like it: tart. I left feeling full and satisfied. We thoroughly enjoyed it and I'll be back next time I'm in Sarasota!
(5)Kim S.
I'm not a vegetarian, but I thoroughly enjoyed this restaurant. I had the fish tacos for lunch and will return to try the portabella sandwich. I tried the gluten-free coconut cream pudding; it was a little gritty. The service was excellent. Looking forward to my next visit.
(4)Judy S.
Wonderful treat! From outside in its strip mall setting it appeared as if to be a tiny simple restaurant. What a delight to discover this gem. Great ambiance. Veg is vegetarian and fish and seafood with vegan and some gluten free menu options. The surprise was that the menu includes potato latkes and matzo ball soup plus spanakopita (delicious). Excellent garlic shrimp scampi over brown rice with string beans. My husband loved his Butternut Squash dinner served with rice and crisp string beans. Veg is open for lunch and closes for a few hours until the dinner hours (5-9pm). Make a reservation if you want to be sure to get a table.
(5)Jessica H.
My boyfriend, friend, and I were in SRQ for the weekend and was looking for a nice healthy place to eat for dinner. We ended up going on yelp and ended up at this location. It's definitely a tiny little place that was very busy. We only had to wait about 15 minutes for a table, so that was good. I had their fish of the day, which was the Amberjack, my boyfriend had the portobello volcano, and my friend had the Maine scallops. The scallops were amazing, and seasoned perfectly. The amberjack I could really care less about. There wasn't really anything amazing about the way the fish was prepared or how it was seasoned. It just tasted like roasted fish. The portobello volcano was pretty good, just had to be very careful about eating because it came out so hot. The coconut cream pudding was amazing, tasted very light even with that pudding texture. And it had some lovely coconut shavings on top. Yum. They had a huge wine list but I have to say, their drinks were definitely very overpriced. Their natural juice seltzers were just canned seltzer drinks from a grocery store. And it was pricey. I should have just ordered water.
(4)Dawen H.
Very tasty food with reasonable prices. Love the seafood and the desserts. Definitely will visit again.
(5)Charlie B.
We come to Sarasota for a few weeks every year, so this was my first opportunity to try Veg since "discovering" it last year. We were not disappointed. My wife has lasagna and I had a stew-like tempeh dish; both were delicious, with ample portions and a nice side salad. Veg closes fairly early, and during the prime dinner hours every table is booked. While we were there, several walk-ins were turned away, so do make a reservation.
(5)Michael M.
VEG is a revelation! A gem in an unlikely setting---a strip mall behind a big shopping center. But don't let the location dissuade you. VEG offers a terrific culinary experience. I'm neither a vegan nor a vegetarian, but I would choose to eat here several times a week if I lived in town. The food was extremely creative with several dishes I never heard of along with old favorites reimagined in away that raised them to a higher level. I had a cauliflower "steak' with a bolognese sauce that could turn me into a cauliflowerian. The matzoh ball soup was among the best I've ever had and I've had plenty. The Sweet Thai Chili Tacos were a great appetizer to split, loaded with perfectly spiced shrimp and a chili sauce that leaves you scraping the plate with a piece of some of the most wonderfully unique bread. We sat at the counter and had a fun night talking with the chef's wife, the chef and their son, Ben, who showed a remarkable knowledge of food and hospitality. Warm and interesting, hard-working people and I wish them continued success. The few negative YELP comments confused me. I couldn't have been more satisfied.
(5)Larry K.
Wonderful seafood - beautifully but reasonably prepared. Great veggies. Family run - wonderful people. Just a great experience.
(5)C K.
Very nice food. Friendly staff. Incredible dessert!
(4)Sara C.
Just ate lunch here for the first time and I wish I would have tried it sooner. I split the salmon burger and the veg burger with my friend and they were both absolutely delicious. I'm not sure which one I liked better. It was all so tasty. The matzoh ball soup could use a little more seasoning. It was a little on the bland side. But overall I am looking forward to going back. The dinner menu looked great and I love that they use local ingredients when available. A great place to eat!
(4)Laura C.
You've got to stop in at Veg! I was driving through on a business trip and so thankful to find such a delicious oasis. The atmosphere was very relaxing and the food delicious. They even helped me figure out how to prepare one of the vegetables that came in our CSA.
(5)Ram H.
Pretty good variety of vegetarian foods as well as seafood. If you are looking for different and good, this is the place for you. Stay away if you are a burgers/fries kind of person. Very cozy and friendly staff.
(4)L And E.
Veg has an extensive menu of all vegetarian / pescatarian options; being a non-vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised to find them all to be very appealing. The owner introduced himself to our table, and what might be more impressive about Veg than the taste of the food or how charming the owner is, is that this restaurant has reached these milestones after only a couple months of operation. I went with a party of 6, with some vegetarians and throughout dinner everyone commented on how good the food was. I had the matza ball soup, which was excellent, and I never would have known it to be vegetarian. As an entree, I had the pompano special, which was also excellent. I would highly recommend this place for vegans, vegetarians, pescatarians and even meatatarians. The menu also included a lot of gluten-free options.
(5)Elena C.
The food is nicely prepared, we ordered the Mezza platter, the babaganush was excellent. Also a portobello volcano dish which was very good, a tad sweet for my taste. The fish dish was well prepared also. The owner is very nice, his daughters are very sweet and our server was wonderful. Everything we ordered was delicious. The only discordant note was when we asked to have the fish tacos cut in half, I caught the lady in the kitchen doing the "eye roll" thing. It made me laugh!
(3)Andy R.
Amberjack special is out of this world.
(5)Kristin G.
The Veg sandwich is delicious and the cole slaw is really good. Nice family run place.
(5)