Dining Guide: Veg-friendly eateries in Tampa Bay

GREEN MARKET CAFE 3150 Tampa Rd, Ste 1A, Oldsmar; 813-787-5494. A very similar concept to Crispers, Green Market has a decent offering of sandwiches, salads, wraps and plenty of meat-free options.

HEALTHY HUT MARKET AND CAFE 595 Corey Ave., St. Pete Beach, 727-367-HHUT, hhutmarket.com. A brand-new, long-in-the-making health food restaurant, deli and bakery, serving "natural, organic, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Kosher" -- in other words, all things health-foodie.

KALEISIA TEA LOUNGE 1441 E Fletcher Ave., Tampa; 813-977-8266, thetealounge.com. Popular among college students at the nearby University of South Florida and vegans for their vegan food options. Also offers numerous tea flavors, smoothie options and boba teas. Kaleisia creates a relaxing atmosphere to have a drink with a few friends, game night, or to have a meeting in the back. -Carlos Hernandez

LETTUCE EAT HEALTHY St. Pete; 727-639-0071. St. Pete's first (and only) all-vegetarian food cart that can be found around the downtown area. Their specialties are vegan Philly "cheese steaks", Italian "sausage", hot dogs and burgers.

THE LOVING HUT 1905 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa; 813-977-7888, lovinghut.us. 100% Vegan "fast food" chain serving sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, Asian-inspired dishes, desserts and more.

MELLOW MUSHROOM 11955 Sheldon Rd, Tampa. 813-926-3600. The place to be in West Tampa for gourmet pizza and a constantly changing list of craft beers. Favorited by Bay area vegans and vegetarians.

NITALLY'S THAI-MEX CUISINE 2462 Central Ave., St. Pete; 727-321-THAI, thaifoodtogo.net. Fun, Thai and Mexican fare (or a combination of the two). Offering traditional Thai dishes, a Mex-Thai fusion menu, and some killer burritos. The majority of their menu can be made vegan/vegetarian.

PIZZA FUSION 9556 West Linebaugh Ave, Tampa, 813-792-1516; 777 North Ashley Drive Suite C, Tampa, 813-463-1600; pizzafusion.com. Not just any ol' pizza chain, this one does things a little greener. They utilize natural and organic ingredients (75% of the total menu), hybrid cars as delivery vehicles and purchase renewable energy certificates to offset 100% of their energy usage (among many other things). Vegan, vegetarian, gluten- and lactose-free options available.

QUEEN OF SHEBA 3636 Henderson Blvd, Tampa; 813-872-6000, ethiopianrestauranttampa.com. Try their exotic Ethiopian dishes served family-style with addictive injera bread. Using silverware is optional here. Offering a large vegetarian-friendly menu.

ROLLIN' OATS 1021 North MacDill Ave, Tampa, 813-873-7428; 2842 Dr Martin Luther King Jr St N., St. Pete, 727-895-4910; rollinoats.com. Locally-owned health food stores on both sides of the bridge with veg-friendly grocery and deli items. Order pre-made or made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and meals, with many meat-free options. Their long list of specials change daily.

VEGAN BEAGLE Tampa; 813-221-0895, veganbeagle.com. Whether you’re keeping Supreme Master Ching happy, or just hungry at a show, this is one late-night snack you won’t forget. The cart changes location frequently, but you can most often find it at Crowbar in Ybor City or Cafe Hey in downtown Tampa. No set hours. If you’re lucky enough to catch them somewhere, get a dog. Better yet, get the brat. With onions. -Deborah Ramos

VIDA DE CAFE 120 8th Ave, St. Pete Beach; 727-289-7164, vidadecafe.com. Serving a menu of 100% raw and vegan fare. From sushi to lasagna to "crab" cakes to desserts, you'd be surprised at the sheer creativity of their food.

VIITALS SPECIALTY BAKERY & LIFESTYLE CAFE 6605 N. Florida Ave., Tampa; 443-4567, viitals.com. This healthful bakery and cafe is dedicated to gluten-free, vegan and high-protein foods in the form of sandwiches and salads. Cake, too! -Brian Ries