Vegan catering in Boston is a thing, and it’s getting bigger at a steady clip. Once considered an alternative food trend, eating vegan has steadily been gaining momentum. Food Navigator predicted the trend a while back. And while numbers vary, the trend toward eating less meat and more vegetables as part of a healthy lifestyle is likely to continue. That means the best vegan in Boston is easier to find than ever. We scoped out some of the best vegan catering in Boston.
Dudley Cafe (Warren Street, Boston)
Dudley Cafe features Indian and Asian-inspired dishes. The sandwich assortment is large and varied. The “Venture” lunch box includes your choice of sandwich, chips, cookie, and soda, or swap out the chips for a salad for $1 extra. Malcolm’s sandwich, grilled eggplant brightened with sambal-miso sauce, is vegan. Ask for the spicy Ayanna’s quinoa bowl without the hard-boiled egg and it becomes vegan.
Whole Heart Provisions (Cambridge Street, Boston)
Veggies are the focus at Whole Heart Provisions. Bowls are the story here and are as on trend as it gets. Bowls come in packages such as the Lunch Box with chips and a drink. Select a base of brown rice and quinoa pilaf or marinated kale and build your bowl with vegetable and protein options. The miso bowl of hearty veggies is dressed with orange miso dressing. The Tazon bowl starts with Korean-style black beans, pineapple and corn salsa, cucumber, pickled jalapeños, and a spicy lime vinaigrette. Both are very popular and can be topped with miso-barbecue tofu, falafel, or sliced avocado.
All Star Pizza Bar (Cambridge Street, Boston)
Baked in a brick oven, the artisan pizzas from All Star Pizza Bar are thin crust in style. The pizza bar offers five vegan pizza options. Vegan almond-milk béchamel is used in place of white sauce on the Big Jerk pizza. Or try the Son-of-Choke with roasted sunchokes, shaved asparagus, and lemon. Both feature vegan Daiya mozzarella (no casein here!).
Bonapita (Franklin Street, Boston)
Fresh pita baked on-site daily is just the start of Bonapita’s Mediterranean-inspired food. In the “Plate It” lunch box, look for the sautéed cremini mushrooms and lentil protein option, then add in the chopped salad and one of the hummus variations for an entirely vegan box. The well-regarded chopped salad with tahini-lemon dressing is available separately, too.
Saté Saigon Grill (Antwerp Street, Boston)
The best vegan in Boston knows its way around vegetables and meat-free proteins. Saté Saigon Grill celebrates the street food of Saigon and southeast Asia. The Korean barbecue tofu, an entrée available as part of all four bento boxes (which include an entrée, mixed green salad, choice of rice, and chopsticks), receives customer raves. Bento boxes are also available gluten-free and the massaman curry tofu is equally praised for its flavor. Pan-seared vegetable gyoza and cripsy rolls (not gluten-free) round out the menu.
b.good (Summer Street, Boston)
Real food fast could be the motto for b.good and the central principle for searching out the best vegan in Boston. The folks at b.good offers a vegan burger and a “Power Elvis” breakfast bowl with oatmeal, bananas, almond butter, granola, coconut flakes, and dark chocolate nibs. At lunch, try the “Power Bowl” kale and quinoa bowl (ask for it without the egg to make it vegan). It is loaded with brussels sprouts, shiitake crisps, pepitas, and tomato vinaigrette. An açai berry smoothie with almond milk and chia seeds energizes even the quietest afternoon.
Sweet Cupcakes (School Street, Boston)
Though they are made without dairy and eggs, vegan cupcakes have become popular. Sweet Cupcakes offers three varieties: chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, and strawberry cake with chocolate frosting. There is also a rotating daily selection of gluten-free and gluten-free vegan cupcakes (flavors available upon request) from this completely nut-free facility. Don’t knock vegan catering, Boston, ’til you’ve tried it.
Shanti Taste of India (Washington Street, Boston)
India has a long history of vegetarianism, and the range of vegetarian dishes from the region that inspires vegan catering in Boston is vast. At Shanti, the garlic naan is stuffed with fresh garlic and topped with cilantro. Vegetable pakora is also popular. For vegan protein, look to legumes such as garbanzo beans with tomatoes, onions, tamarind, and mango powder (chana masala). Or lentils sautéed with ghee and spices (daal makhani).
Chutney’s (Longwood Avenue, Boston)
Indian-style street food is transformed into fun party food at Chutney’s. In Chutney’s Paneer, spice-infused gravy partners with fresh Indian-style cheese. Wrapped in sturdy naan, the wheaten bread of northern India, this sandwich takes handheld to a new, more interesting place. Vegetarians can find good eats further down the menu where the tofu and mushroom nanini resides. Yep, it is a panini made with naan and it is vegan.
Fresh Food Generation (Quincy Street, Boston)
The flavors of Latin American and the Caribbean enliven the menu at Fresh Food Generation. Vegan dishes are sprinkled throughout the menu. The baked empanada platter includes one savory pastry stuffed with red beans, peppers, and coconut. The red bean stew is a hearty entrée, loaded with Maine kidney beans and the irresistible combination of sweet potato swirled with coconut milk. Or try the curry vegetables (Yes, curry is popular in the islands, too.)
Need to please everyone, all of the time? We know the feeling. Find the right caterer.