Italian-American takes at DC Vegan include “meatballs” with cashew cheese. Photograph by Scott Suchman . Looking for a dietary reset to kick off the new year? The “Veganuary” movement challenges participants to go the entire month without eating any animal products. Eliminating butter and bacon doesn’t mean you have to stop eating out. Here are eight exceptional spots where sticking to the regimen still feels like an indulgence.   DC Vegan location_on 1633 P St., NW. language Website Photograph by Scott Suchman . Mozzarella, meatballs, and marsala get a makeover at this whimsical subterranean spot in Dupont Circle, which focuses on Italian American faves. Home in on crackly fried “calamari” made from rings of king trumpet mushrooms, cacio e pepe lavished with creamy cashew sauce, and roasted wild-mushroom ragout ladled over tender polenta cakes.   Bubbie’s Plant Burgers & Fizz location_on 1721 Crystal Dr., Arlington. language Website Photograph by Jeff Elkins Longtime plant-based chef Margaux Riccio always despised the Southwestern-spiced black-bean patties that were often her only burger option. So she created a beet-­focused, umami-rich alternative for her line of signature burgers, including the bananas-­good Monkey Wrench, with melty vegan cheddar, animal-free bacon, a fried onion ring, and pickled jalapeño.   Elizabeth’s location_on 1341 L St., NW. language Website Photograph courtesy of Elizabeth’s. The OG of local vegan fine dining, this elegant downtown tasting-menu restaurant once solely offered raw food but now embraces cooking. Seasonal dishes might include a giant royal-­trumpet-mushroom raviolo with a flurry of truffles or charred-fennel soup with an island of poached chayote squash.   Planta Queen location_on 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW. language Website Boasting the chic vibes of a Hong Kong late-night lounge, this sleek West End spot flaunts a menu of sexy pan-Asian fare. Start with standout “sushi”—compressed watermelon mimicking ahi tuna and mock eel made with umami-pumped eggplant—before savoring larger propositions, such as fiery dan-dan noodles, truffle fried rice, and General Tso’s–inspired cauliflower.   Mita location_on 804 V St., NW. language Website Mita’s asado negro terrine is a mushroomy riff on a traditional beef dish. Photograph by Jennifer Chase. In an Amazon-inspired corner spot across from the 9:30 Club, chefs Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora craft an ever-evolving Latin-inspired tasting menu. Dishes might include young-­coconut ceviche, mushroom terrine doused with a super-savory reduction, and an arepa basket accompanied by guacamole-­like guasacaca.   Oyster Oyster location_on 1440 Eighth St., NW. language Website This dessert at Oyster Oyster features allspice cake and carrots cooked in chamomile. Photograph by Rey Lopez. James Beard Award winner Rob Rubba’s sustainability-­minded, plant-centric mecca in Shaw deftly showcases peak seasonal produce in artful presentations. Think grilled lion’s-mane mushroom alongside squash filled with seed pâté in the winter or a summery stunner of agnolotti fattened with velveteen eggplants sitting in corn broth.   Little Sesame location_on 1828 L St., NW. language Website Hummus with everything spice and cauliflower at Little Sesame. Photograph by Scott Suchman . Hummus is the star at this downtown fast-casual storefront, which showcases the spread in seasonal fare such as a cauliflower shawarma bowl with a fusillade of fresh herbs or a puffy pita sando plumped out by tahini-­drizzled eggplant. For dessert: pirouettes of oat-milk soft-serve with halva crumbles and cacao nibs.   Shouk location_on 655 K St., NW; 5568 Randolph Rd., Rockville. language Website A pita sandwich at Shouk is stuffed with crispy oyster mushrooms. Photograph by Laura Chase de Formigny. The wind-powered fast-casual joint turns out superb takes on Middle Eastern classics. Shawarma gets reimagined with seared oyster mushrooms, while a pita practically bursting with crispy falafel also comes filled with pickled vegetables, herbs galore, and a slathering of tahini. Don’t sleep on the well-spiced fries. This article appears in the January 2025 issue of Washingtonian.The post 8 Exciting and Delicious Vegan Restaurants Around DC first appeared on Washingtonian.