Eating healthy food doesn’t mean you need to limit the cuisines you’re allowed to explore. Several restaurants in the local area offer diverse vegetarian or vegan meal options for you to enjoy. Here’s a list of eight great plant-based restaurants in Carmel, Indiana, you should try.

Piada Italian Street Food Carmel

Three bowls of salad at an Italian restaurant in Carmel, IN

Visit Piada Italian Street Food in Carmel for a light yet hearty lunch or dinner the whole family can enjoy. The Mediterranean piada is an Italian-style wrap with hummus, arugula, feta, bruschetta tomatoes, and cucumber salad — perfect for vegetarians. The vegan Power Bowl is an excellent source of protein with a delicious mix of roasted sweet potatoes, sweet corn and tomato, roasted broccoli, and hummus.

If you love salads, Piada Italian Street Food has plenty to choose from, including the deluxe Caesar, Farmers Market, or avocado chop. Top it off with any of the vegan salad dressings, from fragrant lemon basil to creamy yogurt harissa.

  • Location: 1380 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel.
  • Hours: Open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Woodys Library Restaurant

What used to be the Carmel Public Library in 1914 is now the home of Woodys Library Restaurant, proudly serving the Carmel community since 1998. This local gem offers tasty dishes with vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free dining options to accommodate anyone’s diet. Order the vegan veggie stir fry to indulge in fresh mushrooms, carrots, onions, and red bell peppers over white rice topped with sweet teriyaki sauce. If you like spicy food, you’ll love the avocado tacos topped with jalapenos. Pair any dish with a vegan side, such as sweet potato fries or tater tots.

  • Location: 40 E. Main St., Carmel.
  • Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Cafe Patachou Clay Terrace

Breakfast lovers will appreciate Cafe Patachou’s all-day breakfast menu featuring healthy plant-based dishes. The vegan omelette uses garbanzo bean flour as a crepe, which complements the cashew ricotta and spinach-jalapeno pesto. Vegetarians who don’t mind eggs can build their own omelet full of fresh veggies, including tomatoes, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. If you’re looking for a quick bite, order the vegan chocolate muffin and a fruit bowl a la carte.

  • Location: 14390 Clay Terrace Blvd., Carmel.
  • Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bae Latin Food

You don’t have to travel far to get a taste of Latin America. Bae Latin Food can satisfy your food cravings right here in Carmel. This local restaurant offers salty, vegan-friendly sides, such as fried yuca or fried plantains called tostones. Enjoy the vegan arepa, filled with black beans, avocado, and fried sweet plantains, or the vegan bowl, which adds red beans, yuca, and white rice for a filling meal. Add fresh pico de gallo or jalapenos on the side to add a little spice to your dish.

  • Location: 14580 River Road, Suite 190, Carmel.
  • Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.

Greenleaf Juice Carmel

For a nutritious meal that’s 100% plant-based, visit Greenleaf Juice in Carmel. Here you’ll find health-conscious treats that are as tasty as they are vibrant. Order a colorful acai bowl blended with orange juice and topped with banana, shredded coconut, strawberries, and crunchy granola.

You’re sure to feel delightfully satisfied with any of the blended juices featuring 2 pounds of fresh produce and nothing else. If you need a convenient food option you can enjoy on the go, Greenleaf Juice serves several delicious and filling smoothies. Try the Green Being smoothie, blending fresh baby spinach, kale, lemon, banana, pineapple, ginger, and apple juice. Order refreshing smoothies to go for the whole family to fuel up before spending the day at a local pool or splash pad in Carmel.

  • Location: 2442 E. 146th St., Carmel.
  • Hours: Open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bibibop Carmel – The Bridges

Bibibop Asian Grill in Carmel offers hearty protein bowls that perfectly match any vegan or vegetarian diet. You can build your own bowl with tofu as your protein and customize the base with one or two options of romaine lettuce, supergreen salad, sweet potato noodles, or white or purple rice. The fresh cold toppings, such as kimchi, sesame kale, or pickled red cabbage, will satisfy your palette. If you love bean sprouts or roasted sesame broccoli, opt for these hot toppings instead.

  • Location: 365 W. 116th St., Suite 140, Carmel.
  • Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Fresh Indian Grill

If you’re looking to try something new, come to the Fresh Indian Grill in Carmel for authentic Indian food with lots of flavors packed into each bite. This local restaurant focuses on using fresh, quality ingredients in each dish, ensuring the vegetarian menu will satisfy your cravings.

Try the delectable achari paneer with homemade cheese cooked with tomatoes and ginger-mango powder or aloo gobhi with cauliflower and potatoes cooked with garlic, ginger, and tomatoes. Be sure to add a vegan side, such as samosas filled with potatoes and green peas or buttery cabbage sauteed with mild spices, to round out your meal.

  • Location: 1420 W. Main St., Suite D, Carmel.
  • Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Flying Cupcake

Complete any outing to a local plant-based restaurant with a sweet treat from The Flying Cupcake. Stop by the Carmel shop for an award-winning vegan cupcake and choose from decadent flavors, such as lemon, almond, chai tea, or spiced hot chocolate. Vegan cake options are available for birthdays, weddings, or other special events. The vanilla or chocolate cake options are topped with a delicious, natural buttercream that’ll leave your friends and family reaching for a second slice.

  • Location: 831 S. Rangeline Road, Suite 300, Carmel.
  • Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Closed Monday.

Get a Healthy Bite To Eat at a Plant-Based Restaurant in Carmel

Here at Crème de la Crème of Carmel, Indiana, we believe every family should have access to good nutrition. All of these eight local plant-based restaurants offer excellent vegan or vegetarian dishes with something for everyone to enjoy. Which restaurant are you excited to try? Did we forget to mention your favorite healthy Carmel restaurant? Let us know, and we’ll check it out soon.

Image by Ulvi Safari is licensed with Unsplash License