Portland has no shortage of inventive and delicious Thai joints, but Green Elephant is where veg lovers can enjoy meat-free curries, noodles, and stir-fries. The desserts are award-winning, and vegans aren’t forgotten; chefs can add tofu or faux meat to the entrées. The restaurant doesn’t take reservations and fills up fast, especially on Fridays and weekends.

This past year also saw Maine’s best-known vegetarian restaurant, the Green Elephant in Portland, celebrate 15 years in business; the number of ice cream parlors selling vegan flavors expanded; juice shops slinging smoothies seeped into all corners of the state; and vegan doughnut demand, as always, continued to be greater than supply (with She Doesn’t Like Guthries in Lewiston one of the latest spots making vegan doughnuts). With the bright skies of 2023 and a whole month of Veganuary ahead of us, all signs point to more vegan restaurant meals, more vegan doughnuts and more vegan ice cream as the new year unfolds.

Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro opened its doors in 2007, aiming to be one of Portland’s top restaurants for mindful eating. Here, Chef (and owner) Dan Sriprasert unites “ingredients and flavors from Malaysia, Japan, China, India and Thailand into a meat-free menu with something for everyone.” No meat can be found on the menu, and the fully vegan items are called out appropriately. Their crispy wontons could rival the best crab rangoon you may have ever had in your pre-vegan life, and their pad Thai and spicy vegetable medley stir fry comes in spice levels 1-4.

If you’re looking for a way to veer from Portland’s seafood beaten path, try dining at The Green Elephant on 608 Congress St. The restaurant s cuisine draws inspiration from many different countries, focusing on primarilyMalaysia, Japan, China, India and Thailand reminiscent dishes.Most notably, the menu features a completely meat-free and mostly vegan menu—offering a healthy twist that still tastes delectable. The restaurant prides itself on high-quality food while still maintaining a laid-back atmosphere with an affordable menu.

Green Elephant is the vegan-friendly restaurant of choice in the area, garnering mentions in VegNews and Travel + Leisure, among other publications. The menu is almost completely vegan, except for the noodles and rice dishes which are clearly labeled “make it vegan without egg.” Green Elephant’s cuisine is Pan-Asian, specifically Thai. Try menu items such as the Panang Curry Vegetable and Tempeh, and Chive Dumplings.

Although Thai restaurants are numerous in the region, this diner is notable for the delicious vegan options on its menu. This dining place offers its veg-loving customers’ meat-free dishes, including curries, stir-fries, noodles and so much more. Even the dessert entrées have options that cater especially to the needs of vegan customers, so nobody is left out.

Green Elephant is an Asian vegetarian bistro very popular amongst the city’s foodies. Vegetarian spring rolls and dumplings, brussels sprouts and edamame, and fried rice and noodles are only a few must-tries on the menu. Sweet, salty, nutty, crispy, and fresh, everything at Green Elephant is great for sharing, tasting, or ordering just for yourself.

Specializing in Asian-inspired vegetarian cuisine, Green Elephant in downtown Portland commits to local sourcing, ensuring that each dish not only tastes fresh but also supports local growers. There are so many delicious options on their meat-free menu, and I love that the whole restaurant is vegetarian, so you really can’t go wrong ordering!

This restaurant serving Asian-inspired vegetarian food is a must-visit in Portland. They pride themselves on sourcing as many local products as possible and that is reflected in the food that they serve. Most of the options on the menu can be made vegan and are clearly labeled, and a few are or can be made gluten-free.

One of the few all-vegetarian restaurants in this guide is Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro on the other side of town in the Arts District. It’s owned by the same people as Boda, so it’s very Thai, but you’ll also find an Indian curry and tempura. Leave room for the robust vegan dessert offerings.

The Green Elephant is a 100% vegetarian restaurant serving Asian-inspired cuisine. They don’t have dedicated fryers but they do have quite a few GF options clearly marked on the menu, including tofu tikka masala, pad thai, and many other rice noodle dishes. They can also prepare your meal safely.

This Asian-inspired vegetarian bistro is located right off Longfellow Square and is a popular and cozy neighborhood haunt. With brick walls and large art installations, the dining room has a fun, hipster feel. The menu covers a wide range of ethic cuisines including Indian,…

After our fun interview with personal vegan chef, Chris McClay we had some time to kill before our scheduled lunch at Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro. So, we decided to wander around Deering Oaks Park and discovered a Farmers Market in full swing. What a beautiful setting!

For lunch, savor vegetarian cuisine at The Green Elephant Vegetarian Bistro, a local favorite. Afterward, embark on the Portland Best of Maine Lighthouse Scenic Cruise to admire the iconic Portland Head Light and other historic lighthouses along the rugged coastline.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (621 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Asian, Thai- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 608 Congress St, Portland, ME 04101-3304- Read more on Tripadvisor

Located at 608 Congress St., the vegetarian, vegan and Asian fusion spot is the highest-rated Asian fusion restaurant in Portland, boasting 4.5 stars out of 517 reviews on Yelp.