Where to Celebrate World Vegan Day in Hamilton County

Take a drive through Hamilton County, and what do you see?

Restaurants. A lot of ‘em. The County’s come a long way since the ‘90s, when us plant-based folk often stuck to a sole Indian restaurant, the one, family-owned veggie burger joint, and the many fast food chains that offered a solitary vegetarian option to sustain us — Subway veggie patties, anyone? Or an Impossible Whopper from Burger King?

Over the last decade, I’ve graduated college, moved abroad, and returned to a Hamilton County full of diversity in every corner — and no dearth of diversity at the dining table either. As a South Indian vegetarian, I’ve been stunned by the number of restaurants that now offer the food that I grew up on, the dishes that, as a child, only my grandmother or mother could make me. But as a global diner, I’ve also been enthralled (and slightly overwhelmed) by the plethora of options I’ve been met with, both as a vegetarian and as an intestinally-delicate individual who veers towards veganism on days of tummy trouble.

So without further ado, here’s a start to your vegan eating, here in Hamilton County. Remember, this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg — there are so, so many more dishes to explore.

Bar Ellis | Noblesville

When you think of ‘vegan eats,’ you rarely think of burgers, wings, sliders, and hot dogs — why would you? As a vegetarian, meet-ups with my friends at bars are met with multiple forms of potatoes: fries, tots, loaded, you name it! And, if we’re lucky, some form of cheese-based dip with some chips and maybe, if we’re really good, a pretzel.

But in Noblesville lives a truly one-of-a-kind joint for plant-based eateries. Sure, it has your normal fare, but flip through the menu a little more and you’ll find a dedicated ‘Vegan’ section! From a Pulled BBQ Chik’n sandwich to a ‘Meati’ steak that finds its, well, ‘meatiness from the Earth’s fungi — mushrooms — they’ve got four items that are sure to leave any vegan satisfied: and they all come with your choice of side, from fries to seasoned asparagus. Pair your meal with a cocktail (or mocktail), and you’ve got the perfect Friday night out!

Café Patachou | Clay Terrace - Carmel, Hazel Dell - Carmel, Nickel Plate - Fishers

We can’t talk about living a vegan lifestyle without talking about my favorite meal of the day — brunch! And who does it better than Indy legend’s Martha Hoover? Café Patachou has blossomed over the years, with outposts in multiple areas of Hamilton County nowadays. Whether you’re walking through Carmel’s Clay Terrace or exploring Fishers’ Nickel Plate District, you’re bound to find one to nestle into and if you do, well, be ready for some power-packed vegan options to start your day.

They’ve got everything from a picture-perfect avocado toast to my parents’ choice, the Phat Rabbit — a sandwich chock-full of veggies and a vegan pesto that you can’t get enough of — and if you really want your mind blown, give their Vegan Crepe a try. Yes — we actually said that: don’t knock it til you try it. And if you have a sweet tooth or are interested in their other menu items, like their popular Cuban bowl, chances are that the team can customize things to make them vegan-friendly, just for you.

Chao Vietnamese Street Food | Fishers

If you were wondering ‘hey, where’s all the ethnic eats?’ — well, look no further than Fishers’ favorite Vietnamese spot: Chao. According to Amanda Gibson, the mastermind behind Indy Dough (Indy’s favorite doughnuts) and budding food influencer, they carry the ‘best pho in the city,’ — and we hardly disagree — but it’s lesser-known that if you ask nicely, the owner will whip up a special vegan dish that she started making for some of the Vietnamese Buddhist monks and nuns that she credits all her cooking knowledge to!

With vegetarian pate made 100% in-house, you can also try your hands (and your tastebuds) at the Vegetarian Banh Mi — just make sure to get it without mayo to make it truly vegan. You won’t miss the flavor, and if you’re looking for a place with an unbeatable deal, you’ve found it — Chao offers a combo of a small pho of your choosing, along with a full-size Banh Mi — to power you through that afternoon slump. There are more plant-based finds on their menu, too…but we’ll let you swing by yourself to find out (and taste) more.

Divvy | Carmel

When I first tried Kevin and Richelle Rider’s vegetarian offerings three years ago as a budding reporter for Indianapolis Monthly, I was blown away by the restaurant’s innovation — and it’s proximity to my house! A mainstay of Carmel’s City Centre plaza, it evoked memories of a tapas bar I had visited in Chicago — exactly what the Riders were hoping when they opened Divvy over a decade ago.

If you’re a fan of small plates, sampling, and sharing food with friends, Divvy is for you — notably different than the Riders’ first restaurant, Woody’s, also located in Carmel, Divvy has multiple vegetarian offerings and a fully ‘Vegan Tour Board’ that’ll make sure you’re not missing out on any of the fun! Since I last visited them, they’ve even added a Saturday brunch that I’m dying to check out: with offerings like avocado toasts, apple turnovers, a ‘tater cake’ and some fresh fruit cups, it sounds just tasty enough to, well, work. That, I think, calls for a celebration, don’t you?

India Sizzling | Fishers

We couldn’t complete the first edition of this plant-eaters guide without a shout out to the cuisine of my hometown and heritage: Indian food. More specifically, South Indian food. Now, if you haven’t had a chance to try anything South Indian before and your exploration of Indian food extends to garlic naan, butter chicken, and mango lassi, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that! But those items are distinctly North Indian (and delicious), and you have yet to discover what the Southern hemisphere offers — eats that are commonly naturally vegan and gluten-free!

From the rice and lentil crepes known as dosas that are taking the country by storm to fluffy idlis, or steamed rice cakes, all served with a flavorful lentil stew called sambar and a host of chutneys, or dips, that get their punch from a variety of spices, seasonings, and some nuts (potentially coconut or peanut), the menu at India Sizzling in Fishers is what I visit when I’m missing my visits to India and need a taste of home. Sure, not everything is denoted as ‘vegan,’ ‘vegetarian,’ or ‘carnivorous,’ but you’re in luck: a majority of South Indian dishes tend to be plant-based naturally. Just ask the chef to use oil, not ghee — or clarified butter — in your dishes and the words ‘dairy allergy’ might have to be used. Sure, you might miss your paneer at first, but with a robust Vegetable Kurma, cooling Coconut Milk, or a spiced Chana (or chickpea) Masala accompanying freshly-fried puri breads and a bowl of rasam, or a spiced, tomato and tamarind broth to dive into, chances are, you won’t miss your usual Indian fare. And there are even some vegetarian biryanis to add to your meal, for the rice lovers out there.

Honorable Mention

This guide is just the tip of the iceberg — the truth is, Hamilton County is full of eateries with uniquely satisfying and delicious plant-based options. You just need to know where to look! (Or maybe, where not to). Here are some other spots we recommend:

Condado Tacos | Carmel and Noblesville

Condado Tacos has the most fun, whimsical menu I’ve seen — choose between their fiery Thai-Chilli Tofu and their flavorful Veggie Chorizo when building your meal, and don’t forget a side of chips and one of their many dips for happy hour!

Al Basha Mediterranean Restaurant | Fishers

You can’t talk about plant-based eating without shouting out some of the most naturally vegan-friendly food there is … Middle Eastern food! Often Lebanese in origin, choose between this family-owned restaurant’s multiple iterations of beans and chickpeas, served with housemade pita and freshly-fried falafel, and be sure to finish with a piece of baklava.

Pizza Uncommon | Westfield

This quirky Westfield pizzeria has been garnering quite the reputation ever since it opened its first location out in Lafayette, feeding Purdue undergrads and grads some of the “best pizza they’ve had.” Not only do they have a dedicated vegan menu that’ll ensure that you’re not missing out on any of the fun, but they even stock dairy-free gelatos in the most unique of flavors…spray cheese, anyone? Give it a whirl!

Papa Fattoush | Carmel

A lazy stroll down Carmel’s Main Street, the heart of the Arts & Design District, isn’t complete without a sampling of Carmel’s many culinary offerings. Although it looks humble and homely from the outside, don’t overlook Papa Fattoush: as temperatures get chillier, you can warm up with a bowl of their Lentil Soup that’ll have you cozying up on a cold winter night.

Siam Star Asian Express | Carmel

The plaza at 116^th St. and Guilford Ave. is rather unassuming: a dance academy, an extracurricular activities center, and Carmel’s beloved Upland Brewing occupy it and its patrons. Equally unassuming is the Thai gem nestled in between all of this: Siam Star. Run by a husband-and-wife couple, you’ll find dishes like Tofu Larb, Papaya Salad, and Mango Sticky Rice, along with all your other Thai favorites for a quick weekday lunch-on-the-go.