Chipotle

Filled with beans, salsa and veggies, burritos make for a great inexpensive vegetarian meal. Strolling around Davis Square, I was in search of a quick snack to tie me over before dinner. I decided to check out Chipotle in Davis Square for a bite. To my surprise, for a chain restaurant Chipotle was actually quite tasty. As a vegetarian, the nice thing about getting a burrito at a chain restaurant is that you know for sure if the rice and beans are vegetarian. Since I was looking for a snack, I ordered a soft taco for ($2) for a quick bite. Although Chipotle may not be authentic, I love their salsa choices and the sautéed vegetables were filled with flavor. The cheese was freshly shredded unlike the cheese slices other burrito places use. In my soft taco, I had the the corn salsa, (medium spice) and the fresh salsa, (mild spice), the combination of the two is delicious. The rice is vegetarian, made with cilantro and lime. Similar to most places, they offer black or pinto beans. The service at the Chipotle in Davis Square was friendly and they have an outdoor patio which is nice during the summertime. The fillings were overflowing in the soft taco, so if you are looking to roll up your soft taco than ask for less toppings, but I always say the more veggies, the better. Definitely a good place for a cheap veggie bite.

Mr.Crepe

Hmmm a warm crepe filled with nutella, bananas and toasted walnuts, what more could one ask for? I was strolling around Davis Square looking for a quick snack that was not too expensive and decided to go to Mr. Crepe for a bite. I love their savory crepes as they have quite a few vegetarian crepes to choose from. They have a great cheese selection and their crepes, unlike the crepes from other places, are not overflowing with cheese. Today I was in the mood for something sweet and I ordered a dessert crepe with nutella, bananas and toasted walnuts ($6). The crepe was large and crispy but too thick and chewy for what I was expecting in a dessert crepe. The fillings were delicious, you really can’t go wrong with nutella and bananas and the toasted walnuts were a nice touch.

The service is hit or miss, depending on the day or time. On weekends, during brunch, the place is very busy and you may need to wait for a table as service can be a bit slow. When you first walk inside, it is a bit confusing as you have to order your crepe at the register and then they bring the crepe out to you. The place can be a bit loud so if you are looking for a quiet meal than this may not be the place for you. The prices are average for vegetarian crepes but a bit pricey for crepes with meat. The ambiance is hip and casual and in the warm months, the outdoor seating is nice with a view of Davis Square.

Overall I like Mr. Crepe because they offer a wide range of vegetarian crepes and I like the view overlooking Davis Square. The sweet crepes are standard but make for a nice dessert.

Dali

Dali, 415 Washington St, Somerville Ma
Cuisine: Spanish
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $7-9 per tapa

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With dimmed lighting, cozy tables, beautiful flowers and an eclectic array of Spanish decorations; Dali is one of the most romantic restaurants in the city. A Boston date spot, this tapas restaurant is also perfect for a fun festive evening with friends or for a girl’s night out. Dali serves great food and offers a few good vegetarian tapas that are healthy, light and tasty. Their garlic soup is a wonderful treat, it is a warm light soup filled with garlic flavor. I also love their Queso Rebozado con Miel, a fried Spanish cheese with honey and sweet onion. They also offer other vegetarian tapas such as the Setas Al Ajillo, a sautéed mushroom dish as well as the Alcachofas Salteadas, a sautéed artichoke dish. Their Sangria is fresh and fruity, a nice compliment to the meal. The tapas are $7 to $9 each and with two to three tapas a person this can be a little expensive. I wish there were a few more vegetarian tapas offered on the menu but sometimes they do have some great vegetarian specials. Since reservations are not accepted there can be a long wait, but the yummy tapas and the festive experience at Dali is well worth it.

Martsa's on Elm

Martsa's on Elm, 233A Elm St, Somerville MA
Cuisine: Tibetan
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This is another Tibetan place right down the street from the House of Tibet in Davis Square. Both of these restaurants serve Tibetan food but each have their own distinct flavor. Martsa’s on Elm carries spicy and creamier dishes, both are equally good but depending on my mood I determine my preference. The prices are inexpensive, around $10 for a dish but unlike the House of Tibet the entrees do not come with lentil soup or salad but the dishes here are filled with flavor and unique spices. Some of the dishes here I find are similar to Indian food. My favorite dish here is a tofu and vegetable dish made in a mango sauce. It’s absolutely delicious and one of my friends who is a non-vegetarian actually prefers this dish to any of the non-vegetarian options. I also love the vegetable curry it’s a great choice if you are looking for something spicier. The only drawback to this place is that it is small and the tables are close together but the inexpensive, flavorful dishes make it a great choice for a vegetarian meal.

House of Tibet Kitchen

House of Tibet Kitchen, 235 Holland St. Somerville MA

Cuisine: Tibetan
Vegetarian Options: Vegetarian Friendly
Price: $10

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This Tibetan restaurant is a great place if you are looking for inexpensive, healthy, simple but tasty Tibetan food with a plethora of vegetarian options. The ambiance makes you feel like you are a guest in a little Tibetan Kitchen. The food here is not spicy; maybe at times even a little bland, yet it has almost a homemade taste to it. The dishes are light but filling and all the entrees come with a Tibetan lentil soup and a shredded cabbage salad. One of my favorite dishes here is the Tsel Gyathuk Nogpa. It is a stir-fried noodle dish with veggies and is available with tofu. It’s only around $10 and is different than the standard greasy noodle dishes that are offered at most restaurants. Also depending on the entrée, you can opt for tigmo instead of rice, which is steamed Tibetan bread. The only downfall to this place is that the food can sometimes taste a bit bland however the inexpensive, tasty, healthy food makes it a great a choice for a vegetarian meal.