SEWARD. Smartly decorated Birchwood is a coffee shop and cafe that also moonlights as an art gallery. Food offerings have a strong vegetarian slant and are prepared using fresh, locally grown, organic ingredients. Menu items range from pizzas and sandwiches to Tofu Creole and a quiche of the day. Birchwood also serves non-vegetarian items, including salmon cakes and turkey burgers. Breakfast and Sunday brunch are popular with locals too.

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. A multi-ethnic, stylish restaurant, Café Brenda has been called "the best in healthy dining." Noted for its gourmet vegetarian and seafood cuisine, the restaurant features chilled soba noodle salad with spicy ginger-tahini dressing, fresh salmon or walleye, and signature weekend croquettes. Don't forget to enjoy a terrific dessert made with maple syrup or honey instead of refined sugar. The dining area offers a romantic setting and great views.

UPTOWN. This popular café serves three meals daily. Breakfast choices include the omelet du jour, breakfast burritos, and deep-dish quiches. Among the best options are double fruit-and-nut pancakes and a hashbrown platter, served with cheese and scallions. French Meadow Bakery also offers eclectic lunch and dinner menus that include everything from vegan shepherd's pie to a chicken caesar wrap.

UPTOWN. Cheap and vegetarian-friendly, Kinhdo is a hit with the Twin Cities lunch crowd. Along with Vietnamese recipes, the menu features Chinese and Thai influences in the tasty fare. Everyday, over thirty lunch specials (including soup) are available for $5.49 ­ a superb noontime bargain. Most dishes are noodle-based and feature an array of meats and masterfully cooked tofu. The majority of dishes can also be prepared vegan upon request. Crunchy egg rolls and spring rolls are palatable additions to any meal.