In a world filled with carnivores, Golden Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant stands out. Featuring vegetarian versions of chicken, beef, fish, shrimp and more, Golden Lotus is one vegetarian Vietnamese (and Chinese) restaurant that local veggies and carnivores alike swear by. Especially amazing are the "chicken" drumsticks, and the vegetarian pho. Golden Lotus aside from not using meat, also does not use eggs in any of their dishes, however not all dishes are Vegan. There is, however, a fair amount of vegan selections also.

As the name would imply, Nature Vegetarian Restaurant specializes in vegetarian cuisine. More specifically, the cuisine is Chinese vegetarian, and Buddhist/vegan-friendly to boot! The sesame "chicken" is a big favorite, as are the various dim sum options. The $6.50 lunch special is popular and comes with tea, brown rice, an egg roll and your entree.

When one hears the term "soul food" probably the last thing they would associate it with is the word "vegan," but Oakland's Souley Vegan has made the oxymoron a reality. Diners can choose from all kinds of familiar Southern foods like fried okra, cornbread and collared greens, along with some not so familiar dishes like BBQ or fried tofu. Souley Vegan cooks up all its food with soul, as the name implies, making it so good you might not even notice the lack of animal products.

The first of these gourmet bakeries in the Bay Area (they now have stores in San Francisco and Emeryville), Arizmendi bakes up amazing fresh breads and gourmet pizzas daily. Some baked goods are regulars, while others change daily, like Irish Soda Bread and fig-Fennel Sourdough. The huge draw here, besides the urge to overstuff your breadbox are the fresh, specialty pizzas which change daily. Whether its a more basic version like Tomato Sauce, Olives and Rosemary, or slightly more daring and unusual, like Pasilla Peppers, Red Onions, Zucchini and Cilantro Pesto, the pizza will please any palate. Pizzas can be bought by the slice, half-pizza, or a whole and can be heated up there for immediate consumption, or half baked for you to finish yourself when you get home.

If you're in the mood for some ultimate comfort food, look no further than Homeroom. This cute, airy restaurant decorated with all things school paraphernalia specializes in one thing: Mac & Cheese. And this isn't your grandma's blue box of "Mac N Cheese" as the different varieties range from your classic cheddar mac to more adventurous versions like goat cheese mac, trailer mac with hot dog and crushed potato chips, Mexican mac with chorizo, chipotle, jack cheese and cilantro, and even vegan or gluten free mac so noone is left out. Some of the varieties are constant staples while others change from time to time. All dishes can have various different ingredients and crunchy toppings added to them. In addition to the cheesy goodness, Homeroom also features various breakfast and lunch special sandwiches, homemade desserts and a delicious selection of local beers and wines.

Formerly known as Manzanita Cafe, the organic, vegetarian cuisine here is simple but delicious. The restaurant offers a few dishes each day (which you can see there or on their website), and these dishes and side dishes are served in a somewhat buffet-style fashion. Patrons can order the "Full Meal" (the largest plate), "Moderate Meal," or "Simple Meal." The Simple Meal is very basic, cooked with no oil or seasoning. If you are looking for food that is healthy yet still delicious, Shangri-La is definitely the place to go.

This beloved, trendy and delicious San Francisco favorite comes to the East Bay. Located in Oakland's emerging "Gourmet Ghetto," this popular Bay Area restaurant never has a shortage of interest. Sample interesting and exotic menu items like the Rainbow Salad or the Tea Leaf Salad (made with fermented tea leaves), both featured on the Food Network. Burma Superstar is a great restaurant if you're in the mood for something a bit different and every bit as delicious. Note that Burma Superstar does not accept reservations, so you may be in for a bit of a wait, but the food is well worth the wait.

Serving delectable vegetable delicacies since 1994, the Millennium Restaurant is one of the best fine dining restaurants in the city. This Rockridge restaurant places a premium on the farm-to-table concept, with the dishes highlighting the best and freshest ingredients of the season. Gorgeously plated and divinely crafted, their unique fare appeals to both hardcore vegetarians and omnivores, be it the Purple Cauliflower Fritto or the Polenta Croutons. Compliment your meal with a wine from their extensive wine list and feel free to bring along your group and enjoy the happy hours served here. With such a diverse vegetarian menu, it is no surprise that the restaurant was named the 'Number One Vegetarian Restaurant in the World' by The Daily Meal.