No Meat, No Problem
If you are a vegetarian living in Madison and are looking for amazing eats, I have got you covered. During my freshman year in Madison, I made it my mission to find the best veggie options for all meals of the day, and I can't wait to share them with you all.
Breakfast
The most important meal of the day can still be delicious without meat, and if you're looking for the perfect breakfast sandwich before class, head on over to Collectivo. The Egg & Cheese English Muffin comes with fresh spinach, an egg frittata, and cheddar cheese on a crispy english muffin. My favorite grab-and-go breakfast is easy and efficient by ordering online on the Collectivo app.
If you find yourself looking to settle down for a sit down breakfast, Valentia is the place for you. Served alongside floor-to-ceiling windows that make for great people watching, their avocado toast is simply iconic. On locally made sourdough bread, smashed avocado, sliced red onion, tomato topped with balsamic glaze.
The last breakfast I want to share is next door to the capital, but it's worth the walk. Wonderstate Coffee has a small but mighty menu, and Shakshouka is the best thing there. Poached eggs in a bowl of tomato sauce, served with toasted sourdough bread to dip in, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Lunch
For lunch, the list is long, and it was difficult to choose my favorites. A non-negotiable I felt obligated to include is the vegetarian spring roll from the food trucks for only $4!! Avocado, cabbage, an array of lettuce and spinach. If you're a fan, I suggest adding teriyaki sauce for .50 cents more. A great cost for the size of the spring roll. I assure you, waiting in line is worth it.
Number two on the list circles back to Collectivo. The Green Goddess Sandwich is protein packed with a layer of garlicky hummus, with that perfect crunch of cucumbers, tomatoes, coleslaw on multigrain. I could eat it every day of the week!
Finally, head over to Bassett Street brunch club for a bowl that never disappoints. The Spring Break Diet hits all the bases. A brown rice and black bean base, topped with scrambled eggs, green onions, avocado, cilantro, tomato salsa, with a sprinkle of cheese and corn tortilla chips, SO GOOD!
Dinner
Last but not least, I give you some of the best dinner options as a non-meat eater. I have tried a range of chopped salads to discover the best one; and MacTaggarts takes the cake. These past two semesters have been fueled by my build-your-own salad order: a chopped salad with chickpeas, red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, feta cheese and chopped with balsamic vinaigrette (don't forget to use the word of the day for a discount).
Next, finding the best veggie tacos proved difficult with all the Mexican options Madison provides. Canteen has a great ambiance, with a fun bar vibe and great music! You cannot leave Madison without trying the brussel sprout and cauliflower taco duo. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Finally, Graze. The menu is quite limited for non-meat eaters, but the Korean Bibimbap makes it worth the visit. The spicy tofu option is an amazing combination of spice, crunch and tons of protein. Crispy fried rice, veggies, spicy gochujang sauce, and kimchi topped with a sunny side up egg. Trust me.
Madison is a great place to be as someone who doesn't eat meat, take it from me. My last piece of advice is to not be afraid to make modifications or substitutions when ordering. The vegetarian possibilities are endless! These are just a few favorite finds, but I urge you to explore and find yours.