Many of today’s families are choosing to incorporate vegetarian meals in their diet. This idea is growing in popularity, and many Virginia restaurants are jumping on the bandwagon. Whether your family is putting more plant-based foods on the table for the health benefits or safeguarding the environment, our daycare in Port Potomac built this guide to help you find great restaurants in Ashburn with delicious vegan dishes on the menu.

Mali Thai Cuisine

Freshly made Pad Thai with a lime wedge on the side.

Image via Flickr by winn*

Classic Thai food not only tastes great, but it’s also good for you. Mali Thai is tucked away in the Broadlands Center shopping plaza. This tranquil, modest-looking restaurant is home to some delicious classic dishes, like pad thai, panang, lemongrass soup, red and green curries, and a few gluten-free options.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch in house, and they never use MSG in their food. Go ahead and dial up the heat on any of the dishes. The level of spice is up to you. Stop by for a modestly priced lunch starring the vegan spring rolls or fried tofu. Why not order the chef’s special #S9. This pad phed pha features stir-fried peppercorns, green beans, shredded bamboo shoots, kaffir lime leaves, baby corn, and fresh peppers.

Rupa Vira’s The Signature

A spicy and tasty peanut salad.

Image via Flickr by Sonia Goyal Jaipur

If your vegetarian family loves classic Indian dishes and a lunch buffet, head to Rupa Vira’s. This family-friendly restaurant on Beaumeade Circle has a casual atmosphere and excellent quality cuisine with an upscale presentation. The menu covers many of your favorite Indian delicacies like peanut salad made using wide-ranging culinary influences with a contemporary touch.

Start your meal off right with an unforgettable cup of hot and sour soup, or order the Chinese Bhel. It’s an appetizer with a crunch thanks to crispy noodles, cabbage, carrots, and onions all tossed in a spicy, housemade sauce. You’re going to love the methi malai mutter with fresh fenugreek and green peas swimming in white cream sauce, or try the authentic signature dabeli potatoes made with pomegranate, peanuts, and chutneys. Both are as filling as they are delicious.

Viet Chopsticks

A hot bowl of delicious Pho.

Image via Flickr by Ant?hony

Next time you’ve got a craving for bold, savory eats, head to Viet Chopsticks on Promenade Drive in Leesburg. Have a seat in this popular noodle house’s modern, Asian-inspired dining room or soak up some sunshine while you eat on its outdoor patio. With a full bar, parents can enjoy a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and beer, including several Vietnamese labels.

The expert chefs at this international kitchen have mastered the delicate art of cooking with fresh herbs and authentic Vietnamese spices. They season each plant-based dish with a refined taste, including a nice array of noodle soups, wraps, and rice dishes. Vegans will want to opt for #136, the stir-fried tofu with lemongrass. It gets a big bite of heat from the chilies, or you can try #145, the classic vegetarian pho noodle soup.

GreenFare Organic Cafe

Banana french toast from a local diner.

Image via Flickr by kimberlykv

GreenFare offers delicious organic, whole plant food from their healthy kitchen on Elden Street in Herndon. Each item on the seasonal menu is lovingly prepared on-site without added salt, oil, or sugars for optimal health. Its freshness is perceptibly different, and it’s an ideal choice for parents who want to offer their family real food options on-the-go.

Try one of the ready meals. It’s a family feast for up to six people and features mouthwatering fare for everyone, such as pumpkin Funghi risotto or the spinach and sweet potato lasagna. Everything you get here is packaged in compostable containers for a healthy planet too.

This is one wellness restaurant that didn’t forget about your children. From infants to teens, its menu is handcrafted to please finicky eaters. What kid doesn’t love a whole wheat sandwich with organic peanut butter and sliced banana or organic broccoli with whole wheat macaroni and a dairy-free creamy cashew sauce?

Manna Bistro

A spicy and exotic Ethiopian dish.

Image via Flickr by margaretglin

This casual Ethiopian restaurant on Centreville Square is a local favorite for authentic vegan cuisine. Everything on the menu is freshly prepared with natural and organic ingredients from its own farm, plus a variety of imported spices. Its welcoming staff and warm decor make this bistro ideal for a relaxing meal with friends and family.

Wait until the kids find out they can eat with their hands here. Manna’s injera is a delicious sourdough flatbread that’s used to wrap up your food, like the defin miser alcha watt. This yummy dish features hearty lentils simmered in a rich sauce with turmeric, ginger, garlic, and red onion. The yetsom enkulal is a bold choice with seasoned chickpeas, sauteed onion, and jalapeño. There’s also a basic cheese quesadilla for the kiddos. It’s an awesome afterschool snack.

Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant

A plate of Spaghetti with a healthy raggu sauce.

Image via Flickr by FitTasteTic

Gather the whole family and savor a flavorful meal from Sunflower. Located on Chain Bridge Road in nearby Vienna, this entirely vegetarian restaurant features dishes that look and taste like real meat. Its menu features Japanese, Chinese, and Continental style meals made with the highest standards in taste, health, and environmental conservation. At Sunflower, you’re doing something great for your family and the planet too.

Every flavor is naturally enhanced with ingredients imported from its original sources, such as kombu and gomashio, plus vegetable substitutes for mock beef, poultry, and seafood. Carry out one of the specialties, like Crispy Happiness. This dish features lightly breaded vegan beef drizzled with chef’s sauce and served with broccoli.

If your little ones love noodles, they’re going to love the bowls at Sunflower. The tangy sun-dried tomato Bolognese with mushrooms over a bed of rice noodles is always a big hit, and parents love this healthy spin on traditional spaghetti.

These picks for the top six vegetarian restaurants in Ashburn were brought to you by Crème de la Crème of Port Potomac, VA. Is your favorite eatery on this list? What do you think is Virginia’s best place to get a vegetarian meal? Let us know so we can add it to our collection.