EAT YOUR GREENS : VEGAN COOKING
HOME COOKING PiANTA
PiANTA manages to translate your favorite comfort food — egg rolls , fritters , flatbreads , Italian grinders — into plant-based forms so good that even the toddlers at the table will eat with gusto . Brunch is loaded with sweets ( icing-drizzled French toast ) and savories ( tostadas with salsa verde ) and the cocktail list will make you want to extend every meal into the next day . 408 Atwells Ave ., Providence , 499-5354 , piantaveganrestaurant . com
ALL YOU CAN EAT Plant City
Providence ’ s plant-based mecca has a little bit of everything : a bake shop , a burger bar , a pizza oven , a Mexican cantina and a buildyour-own-bowl counter . There ’ s even a bar across the street where you can sip cocktails in a velvet-covered lounge and enjoy some of the best urban seating in town . 334 South Water St ., Providence , 429-2029 , plantcitypvd . com
VEGAN ITALIAN Foglia
Chef Peter Carvelli ’ s intimate Italian restaurant just happens to be plant-based . You might never know it eating his rustic chickpea fries and toothsome plates of housemade pasta and , once you find out , it will make no impression other than to realize that plant-based food can compete with any meat-based menu . 31 State St ., Bristol , 253-1195 , fogliabristol . com
AMERICANA
Basil & Bunny
Lyslie Medeiros takes on American drivethrus with her versions of stacked burgers with special sauce and fried “ chicken ” sandwiches covered in Buffalo sauce . Every option is delicious as are the fries , on their own or covered in “ cheeze ” sauce . This sweet , foliage-rich spot may get you to rethink fast food entirely . 500 Wood St ., Bristol , 490-1918 , basilandbunny . com — KAREN DEUTSCH with Texas soul at this spot in Edgewood ( in true Rhode Island style , where JP Spoonem ’ s used to be ). We love the copious use of sourdough , tomatillo-avocado salsa and housemade pork sausage , and the tasty pimento cheese that goes with just about anything ( treat yo ’ self and take home an eight- or twelve-ounce jar ). 1678 Broad St ., Cranston , 941-3550 , allfavoritescafe . com
PLANT-BASED CAFE Apothica
Settle into this greenery-filled space in Cumberland and feel relaxation coursing through your body — or maybe it ’ s the CBD you added to your cardamomvanilla latte . Either way , the owners of this apothecary-inspired eatery and coffee shop are serious about plant-based fare that tastes as good as it looks , whether it ’ s the chipotle macaroni and cheese with cashew cheese sauce or a banana split latte with vegan whipped cream . Add-ons like ashwagandha and MCT oil keep you looking and feeling your best . 3 Dexter St ., Cumberland , 205- 2063 , apothicaherbs . com
CHARMING COFFEE SHOP Rise ’ N Shine Coffee Bar
Pull up a rose-colored cushion or sit like the queen you are atop the shoeshine bench in this adorable cafe on the first floor of the 1858 Christopher Dodge Carriage House . Pose for the ’ Gram with a purple-hued Lavender Fields espresso drink and a Knead doughnut in hand while mingling with the other townies . 97 Holden St ., Providence , 340-5112 , risen shineri . com
CREPERIE Cafe Zoey
You can ’ t help but nurse a smile inside cheerful and cozy Cafe Zoey , where an exuberant mural shares space with diners nibbling on sweet ( think : brie , fig jam and apples , or the Elenore with lemon curd , butter and powdered sugar ) and savory ( the Mount Hope with eggs , mushrooms , cheddar , tomato and spinach or Funghi with mushrooms , carrots , arugula and sesame dressing ) crepes . Visit Frog & Toad next door when fin- ished for a fun end to your repast . 791 Hope St ., Providence , 854-5885 , cafezoey . com
NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE SHOP WeRoast Coffee Co .
For friendly service and sustainably sourced beans roasted in-house , head to WeRoast Coffee Co . in Lincoln , where the clean white interior and caffeineheavy concoctions will perk you right up . Owner Teddy Sullivan can usually be found behind the counter slinging drinks like the coffee milk latte or caramel macchiato for locals and bean connoisseurs alike . Not up for a morning out ? The wall of coffee supplies and packaged beans has everything you need to whip up your caffeine at home . 276 Front St ., Lincoln , 642-6062 , weroast . coffee
TRADITIONAL ASIAN Pickerel
Deciding whether the broth or the noodles are better at Pickerel is a chicken and egg question : impossible . Every bowl of ramen is a vehicle for artistic vision — a varied journey through the disparate textures of vegetables and soothing flavors of sesame , shiitake and miso . But if the soup is a meditative event , then dessert is a wake-up call . Ice creams go toeto-toe with a carnival of jams , meringue , cookies and candy — each bite a revelation of sugar ’ s potential . Small restaurant , big flavor . 3 Luongo Sq ., Providence , pckrl . com
MODERN ASIAN Y Noodle Bar
Y Noodle Bar has one foot in tradition and the other firmly planted in the future . You can go old school with an array of soupy or fried dumplings , but the kitchen shines brightest when it ’ s pushing boundaries . Try the Far Eastern beef tartare or foie gras if you ’ re daring , or the sticky pork belly with cotton candy if you ’ re a kid at heart . Even the salmon en papillote proves that Europe can ’ t claim to be the leading culinary queen any longer . Truffle ramen is no longer just a dream , folks : It ’ s the only way to live . 425 W . Fountain St ., Providence , 661- 9666 , ynoodlebar . com
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