Not only is October National Vegetarian Month, today, October 1st, is World Vegetarian Day! World Vegetarian Day was originally coined by the North American Vegetarian Society, a non-profit educational organization formed with two simple goals: to educate people on the positive benefits that a vegetarian lifestyle can give and to act as a support system for fellow vegetarians of the world. The day itself, as stated by the North American Vegetarian Society, was established in 1977 to create, “an annual celebration to promote the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism.”
There are many reasons why an individual would choose to convert to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle. For some it is moral motivation, an objection to the killing and use of other sentient life. For others it is health-related, religious, or environmental reasons. Vegan and vegetarian lifestyles, though very similar in name, are quite different from one another and often get mixed up. The main difference between someone who practices veganism and someone who practices vegetarianism is vegans do not consume or use any sort of animal products or animal by-products. Vegetarians on the other hand abstain from consuming meat but continue to eat products like dairy and sometimes eggs.
Now that you’ve had a quick lesson on the history of National Vegetarian Month/World Vegetarian Day and know the difference between veganism/vegetarianism, it’s time to move on to where you can actually find these enticing Long Island vegan eateries and delicious vegetarian restaurants!
Tiger Lily Café – Vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
156 E Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-476-7080
House of Dosas – All vegetarian menu!
416 S Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801
516-938-7517
3 Brothers Pizza Café – Separate vegan and non-vegetarian menus!
75 Merritts Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735
516-755-1100
Tula Kitchen – Vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
41 East Main Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706
631-539-7183
Z Pita – Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
217 Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
631-475-7508
Tullulah’s – Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
12 Fourth Avenue, Bay Shore, NY 11706
631-969-9800
BBD's – Vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
49 Route 25A, Rocky Point, NY 11778
631-849-1620
Love Lane Kitchen – Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
240 Love Lane, Mattituck, NY 11952
631-298-8989
Witch’s Brew – Vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian options!
311 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY 11552
516-489-9482
Granny's – All vegan desserts!
1153 Jericho Turnpike, Commack, NY 11725
631-543-7501
Sweet To Lick – All vegan desserts!
78 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596
516-385-8833
[Source: North American Vegetarian Society]
Photo by Kelly Tenny