Meals with a Conscience: Beijing’s best places to take a break from holiday gluttony

Years ago, finding a proper Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham was a real challenge – nowadays, the challenge is to find a place to hide from the rich assortment of meat-heavy holiday meals. Agenda went out in search of the best places to rediscover vegetables.

Cafe de la Poste
A stone’s throw from the Confucius Temple, this neighborhood favorite may be famous for their steak, but they also have superb vegetarian options. Beijing’s French community pack the place every night, drawn by the casual atmosphere and friendly staff. Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-late. 58 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6402 7047) www.cafedelaposte.com.cn 东城区雍和宫大街58号

Cao Mu Jian
This vegetarian restaurant and tea house features seven different private rooms, a variety of Chinese teas and an assortment of vegetable, tofu and “mock meat” dishes, as well as guzheng and tea ceremony performances. Daily 10.30am-2pm, 5-10pm. 2/F, Huateng Plaza, A-302 Jinsong San Qu (3km south of China World on Dongsanhuan), Chaoyang District. (8773 0135) 草木间, 朝阳区劲松三区甲302号华腾大厦二层(东三环国贸往南3公里)

Elaine’s Vegetarian Restaurant and Bar
Elaine’s quaint little garden supplies generous portions of Chinese vegetarian fare. The imitation meat dishes are popular with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners. Daily 10am-9.30pm. Walk 800m along the banks of Luoma Lake, 100m north of Luoma Roundabout, Houshayu, Shunyi District. (8048 5088) 素心小筑, 顺义区后沙峪镇罗马环岛向北100米左转, 沿罗马湖畔800米

Gongdelin
Faux meat items like vegetarian “pork” balls and BBQ “lamb” kebabs with cumin are just some of the treats on the menu at this historic two-story vegetarian restaurant. Daily 11am-9pm. 58 Qianmen Dajie, Chongwen District. (6702 0867) 功德林, 崇文区58 前门大街

Lotus in Moonlight
A large array of meatless and fishless dishes, made from tofu and related products. You can tell it’s the real deal by the number of monks who dine here. Hard to find, but worth the search. Voted “Outstanding Vegetarian” in the Beijinger’s 2009 Restaurant Awards. 1) Mon-Fri 11am-2pm and 5-9.30pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9.30pm. 12 Liufang Nanli, Chaoyang District. (6465 3299); 2) Mon-Fri 11am-2pm and 5-9pm, Sat-Sun 11am-9pm. 3/F, Disanji Creative Space, 66 Beisihuan Xilu, Haidian District. (6268 0848/1318) 荷塘月色素食, 1) 朝阳区柳芳南里12号楼; 2) 海淀区北四环西路66号第三极3层

Mirch Masala
Tasty, authentic and affordable Indian curries in a pleasant, well-lit environment. Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. Delivery available. 1) Mon 5-10.30pm; Tue-Sun 11am-2.30pm, 5pm-10.30pm. 130 Ritan Highlife (across from the north gate of Ritan Park), Chaoyang District. (8563 6304); 2) Mon-Sat 11am-2.30pm, 5-10.30pm, Sun 11am-10.30pm. 60-2 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District. (6406 4347) www.mirchmasala.com.c
n 马沙拉之香, 1) 朝阳区朝阳雅宝路日坛公园北门日坛上街2号楼130号; 2) 东城区南锣鼓巷60-2号

Pure Lotus Vegetarian
Voted “Best Vegetarian Fare” in the Beijinger’s 2009 Reader Restaurant Awards. Run by monks, their creative dishes will leave you with a full stomach and a clear conscience – and a considerably lightened wallet. Daily 11am-11pm. 1) Tongguang Bldg, 12 Nongzhanguan Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6592 3627, 8703 6669); 2) 3/F, Holiday Inn Lido, Jiangtai Lu, Chaoyang District. (8703 6668, 6437 6288) 净心莲, 1) 朝阳区农展馆南路12号(通广大厦内); 2) 朝阳区丽都假日饭店三层,首都机场将台路

Sea of Lotus Vegetarian
From simple dishes to imperial cuisine, this tranquil spot caters to vegetarians. Also carries a great selection of fresh tea. Daily 9.30am-9.30pm. 12 Cheniandian Hutong (across from the Hebei Hotel), Andingmennei Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6403 6169) 莲花海素食, 东城区安定门内大街车辇店胡同12号
Sea of Mercy The biggest vegetarian restaurant in Beijing features a wide array of mock fish and meat dishes made from mushroom, vegetables and beans. Daily 8.30am-10.30pm. 103 Di’anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District. (6657 1898) 慈海素心, 西城区地安门西大街103号

Still Thoughts Vegetarian Restaurant
A clean, calm and cozy vegetarian oasis that forgoes the hype and high prices in favor of thoughtfully prepared mock meats and other vegetarian dishes. Daily 11am-10pm. 1) 18A Dafosi Dongjie, Yuqun Hutong (turn right onto Yuqun from Dafosi, which continues from Meishuguan Dongjie), Dongcheng District. (6400 8941); 2) 30A Gaoliangqiao Lu (inside the Meiyuan Hotel), Haidian District. (6225 5792) 静思素食坊, 1) 东城区大佛寺东街甲18号育群胡同(美术馆东街往北); 2) 海淀区高梁桥路甲30号(梅苑饭店大院内)

Tianchu Miaoxiang
Tucked into the Qinghua Science Park, this pleasant restaurant is well worth seeking out for its delicious mock-meat versions of classic and more unusual Chinese fare. Great teas and a large picture menu. Daily 10am-10pm. 1/F, Chuangye Bldg, Qinghua Keji Yuan, Haidian District. (6279 7078) www.liaofan.com 天厨妙香素食馆, 海淀区清华科技园创业大厦一层

Vanilla Garden
A great place to enjoy vegetarian cuisine, sip imported organic coffees and herbal teas, or just hang out. Also has helpful and attentive staff, an English menu, desserts, and Wi-Fi. Location 2 calls itself Lily Vegetarian but it’s run by the same people. 1) Daily 11am-10pm. 23 Caoyuan Hutong (west off Dongzhimen Beixiaojie), Dongcheng District. (6405 2082); 2) Daily 9am-10pm. South of the Xinjian Gongmen (New) Gate of the Summer Palace, Haidian District. (6287 8726) 百合素食香草园, 1) 东城区东直门北小街草园胡同23号; 2) 海淀区颐和园新建宫门南

Vegan Hut
Simple vegan eatery serving fast and delicious set meals with no MSG. Unit 0912, 2/F, Bldg 9, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 9856, 139 1172 9610) 维根小屋, 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho9号楼2层0912

Veg-On
Modest black-and-white decor, yummy vegetarian dishes and sweet Taiwanese desserts will have you back for more. Set lunches available. Does not use MSG. Voted “Outstanding Vegetarian” in the Beijinger’s 2009 Restaurant Awards. Daily 11am-10pm. Solana, 6 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5905 6301/6) 家乡素食, 朝阳区朝阳公园路6号蓝色港湾国际商区

Xiangyang Xiaozhu
Classic Chinese dishes rendered guilt-free – no wonder they draw a crowd of regulars. Daily 11am-2pm, 5-9pm. Beisanhuan (20m west of Dazhong Si), Haidian District. (8211 2104) 香阳小筑, 海淀区北三环大钟寺西20米

Xu Xiang Zhai Vegetarian Restaurant
Vegetarian gormands delight at the glorious all-you-can-eat buffet – wear pants with an elastic band to take full advantage of the offerings, which include veggie twists on Chinese classics, sushi, dumplings, hot pot and more. Monk sightings are common. Daily 11.30am-9pm; lunch buffet 11.30am-2pm, dinner buffet 5.30-9pm. 26 Guozijian Dajie, Dongcheng District. (6404 6568) 叙香斋, 东城区国子监大街甲26-1号

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