Veggie Garden: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Veggie Garden is one of the best all-vegan restaurants in Orlando, and it’s been quietly earning that reputation in the Mills 50 District for years. Everything on the menu is plant-based, no exceptions. You’ll find authentic Vietnamese flavors built on vegetable-and-fruit broths, fresh herbs, and a rotating cast of plant proteins including tofu, seitan, TVP, and mushroom-based sausage. The prices are genuinely affordable, the portions are generous, and the family running the place clearly cares about the food.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Veggie Garden

The entire menu is vegan. That’s the short answer. Veggie Garden describes itself as “Authentic Vietnamese Vegan,” and confirmed fully vegan status as of May 2024 on HappyCow. There are no meat, dairy, or egg products used anywhere in the kitchen. The soups are built from vegetable and fruit broths rather than meat stock, and the plant proteins are all clearly labeled. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can order anything on the menu without asking questions.

Signature dishes to order

Start with the Autumn Rolls (Goi Cuon), which wrap tofu and soy rib in rice paper with fresh herbs and peanut sauce. The Special Veggie Garden Pho (Pho Dac Biet) is a standout, combining a clean vegetable broth with tofu and a mix of vegan proteins. For noodle bowls, the Bun Cha pairs rice noodles with spring rolls and peanut sauce for about $12. The Banh Bao steamed buns and the Beancurd Mushrooms (featuring five mushroom varieties) are popular picks from the Vegan Street Food and snack sections. If you want something hearty, the combo plates built around soy drumsticks or vegan soy ribs are worth the extra dollar or two. The cold-pressed juices and Vietnamese iced coffee round things out nicely.

How to order

Walk in, dine on the small patio, or order online through the restaurant’s website. Veggie Garden seats about 16 people inside with additional outdoor spots, so it fills up during lunch and weekend dinner rushes. Takeout is easy, and DoorDash delivery is available if you’re not nearby. The restaurant also does catering through ezCater. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 10am to 4pm, closed Wednesday, and Thursday through Sunday 10am to 7pm. Check the website before you go since hours have shifted over time.

What to watch out for

The restaurant is small, which means a wait during peak hours is possible. Wednesday closings catch people off guard, so plan around the midweek day off. Parking is available in the back lot, which helps. If you have a severe gluten allergy, talk to the staff before ordering since some dishes use seitan (wheat gluten) as a protein. The kitchen does use soy-based proteins extensively, so soy allergies are also worth flagging. Beyond those caveats, the kitchen is entirely free of meat, dairy, and eggs, so cross-contamination from animal products is not a concern here.

Is Veggie Garden worth it?

It’s worth the trip. Veggie Garden holds a 4.7 out of 5 on Google across more than 460 reviews and sits in the top 2 vegetarian restaurants in Orlando on multiple ranking platforms. HappyCow reviewers give it a perfect 5 stars. For a fully vegan Vietnamese meal in Orlando, you’re not going to find much better. Prices run $8 to $13 for most dishes, which makes it easy to try a few things. The family-run atmosphere, fresh ingredients, and honest Vietnamese cooking make it a reliable stop whether you’re a longtime vegetarian or just trying to eat more plants.