I recently did a post about the vegan foods I was able to find while on vacation in Miami. So I thought why not do a list of the best vegan places in my own home state. So without further ado, here are my Top 5 Vegan Destinations In Connecticut…in my gay opinion, of course.
5: Get Baked Bakery (25 Central St, Windsor). Everything at Get Baked is made fresh and many times with local ingredients. Not everything is vegan but the vegan items are clearly marked. I discovered Get Baked this past November and at the time they were taking holiday orders. I ordered a vegan pumpkin crumb cake to take to Thanksgiving dinner and it was to die for. When I placed the order the lady behind the counter said I couldn’t order it without trying it first. She went in back where they must have been getting some ready and gave me a piece to try. Between the service and the taste, I was sold. I’m already looking forward to this coming November.
4: It’s Only Natural Vegan Restaurant (606 Main St, Middletown). It’s Only Natural has been around for a while and I’ve been going there for years. It was the first vegetarian restaurant I ever ate at. Their location has changed a few times over the years and with each move the food only gets better and better. The restaurant now has huge windows with tons of natural light pouring in, plenty of seating inside and out, and they’re located right across the street from their natural market. I don’t have a go-to dish, but the last time I went, I was more impressed than ever before.
3: Dee’s One Smart Cookie Bakery (398 Hebron Ave, Glastonbury). All the baked goods at Dee’s are non GMO, gluten free, dairy free, tree nut free, peanut free, and soy free…everything but taste free. They also have a selection of items that are egg free for vegans. What I go out of my way for are their Chocolate Whoopie Pies. They always have the vanilla filled on hand but it’s the chocolate filled that I crave. If they don’t have the chocolate filled ones, I’ll ask, and sometimes they’re able to whip one up if they have the filling and cakes in back. They are amazing like that.
2: Fire And Spice Vegan Restaurant (248 Sisson Ave, Hartford). A good vegan restaurant is as rare as a unicorn, hence Fire and Spice is magical. It’s a low-key place with a super friendly staff. I always order the large plate of five items (the small plate gets you three items) with one item being a type of rice because it absorbs the flavors. My favorite item is the African potatoes which is sweet potatoes in pineapple juice and spices. Unfortunately it’s a rotating item so it’s not always available. In my gay opinion, they need to make that a permanent item. I always go hungry because I want to have room for dessert. Their vegan ice cream is the best!
1: 21 Oak Restaurant (21 Oak St…hence the name, Manchester). 21 Oak is a vegetarian restaurant but every time I’ve gone, everything on the menu has been vegan. It’s gourmet food with a chill atmosphere and the restaurant itself is small and cozy. Everything I’ve eaten there has been delicious…from the appetizers, to the meals, to the desserts. This is by far my favorite restaurant in Connecticut both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. I don’t have a favorite meal there because, between the regular menu and the specials, I have a problem of narrowing down what I want to order. Too many tasty options.
All these places are vegetarian and vegan friendly but I think anyone can enjoy what they have to offer. I don’t care who you are, what you eat, whether you live in Connecticut or you’re just passing through. All these places deserve a stop-in because great food is great food!
